50 rounded up in gang raids

Police forces from across the province descended on Toronto early this morning to help Toronto police round up some allegedly violent gang suspects.

Brantford police were in the Toronto area as early as 5am to help take part in raids on alleged gang members. Hamilton, Halton and Niagara police all helped too, but the 53 search warrants were all for homes in Toronto, Peel, York and Durham.

Police say the suspects are part of two rival gangs, the Sic Thugs and the Asian Assassins.

“Now we’re starting to see these gangs have that level of violence, if not increased, but they also have more sophistication, organization and that’s something to be concerned with at this point,” said Chief Mark Saunders.

50 people have been arrested so far in an investigation that has been going on for close to a year.

“I believe a significant dent in the violence in the city and i believe we will see a decrease as a result of these arrests,” says Saunders.

Police seized guns, cash, drugs, and equipment to process drugs. So far the accused face charges linked to guns, drugs, robbery, criminal organization and human trafficking, but there could be further charges.

The Sic Thugs have been linked to the fatal 2012 shooting in Toronto’s Eaton Centre food court. The Asian Assassins have been associated with last year’s fatal shooting in the Yorkdale Mall parking lot.