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Halton police bust drug ring spanning across provincial borders

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Four arrests have been made and $10 million worth of illicit drugs have been seized following an investigation into an interprovincial cocaine trafficking ring led by Halton police.

Officers say “Project Atlas” began over the summer of this year with an investigation into alleged trafficking of cocaine and proceeds between Ontario and western Canada.

Between August 24 and 25, eight search warrants were executed by police in the Toronto area, through which officers recovered 126 kilograms of cocaine, over $1.2 million in Canadian currency, three vehicles used for the purpose of trafficking, items used to make cocaine and money counters.

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The estimated street value of the drugs seized is $10 million.

Investigators say the suspects used “sophisticated hydraulic traps installed in vans for the sole purpose of moving drugs and currency along with GPS devices to track the crime vehicles movements” to facilitate the drug pipeline.

Thus far, four people have been arrested and charged in connection with the investigation.

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Kenneth Dang, 39 of Maple faces two charges, 39-year-old Kyu Chang Park of Etobicoke faces three charges, 35-year-old Chin Eng Pong of North York faces two charges and 35-year-old Chandara Saroeung Svy of Toronto faces three charges.

All four were held on bail pending bail hearings of August 25.

“Given the increasing overdose epidemic and the harms associated with the illicit drug supply, this interdiction of such a large quantity of cocaine will undoubtedly save many lives.” says Inspector Dave Costantini of Regional Investigative Emergency Services.

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