Hamilton cop caught in ‘Pharaoh’ raids

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A veteran Hamilton Police officer has been charged in a set of guns and gangs arrests, dubbed “Project Pharaoh”.

Craig Ruthowsky, 41, is a 17 year veteran of the force, who was a former member of the guns and gangs unit. He has over two dozen misconduct charges pending under the Police Services Act in connection to perjury and fabricating evidence.

Toronto Police deputy chief Jim Ramer outlined the new criminal charges. “Breach of trust, commission of an indictable offence for a criminal organization, participate in activities of a criminal organization and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence to traffic cocaine.”

Police conducted raids across the GTHA yesterday, including nine in Hamilton. The investigation targeted the Monstarz gang, which police believe is responsible for more than 40 violent incidents in the Rexdale area.

A total of 60 people were arrested, and 45 are facing 379 charges. In all, more than $2 million worth of cocaine and at least $200,000 in cash were seized.

CHCH will have team coverage of this story tonight on the Evening News at 6.

Image: Hamilton Spectator archives