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Stoney Creek resident among 11 people facing 214 charges in drug, gun trafficking probe
A Stoney Creek resident is among 11 people facing 214 charges following a year-long investigation into alleged drug and gun trafficking.
The 22-year-old remains at large along with another North York resident. Nine other people from the London and Toronto areas have been arrested and charged.
Police in London say they began investigating increased gun violence in the fall of 2024, which eventually turned into a bigger probe — dubbed Project ALIAS — in collaboration with provincial police and various federal agencies.
Hamilton Police Service Emergency Response Unit was among more than 15 national, provincial and municipal detachments who were involved in Project ALIAS. Investigators identified multiple criminal networks allegedly capable of sourcing illegal firearms and high-capacity magazines, as well as large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine.
They said a bust like this is important, especially for Hamilton, which knows all too well the issue of drugs and guns.
“Last year we had 290 crime guns seized in the city — this year we’re up to 13, but the good news is, in relation to those guns being used on our streets, our shooting investigations have been successfully able to mitigate some of the negative impacts of that gun crime in the city,” said Hamilton Police Supt. Marty Schulenberg. “So far this year, we have no shooting investigations.”
“Project ALIAS demonstrates what can be achieved when police services work together to target those who bring violence and illegal drugs into our communities,” said Det. Insp. Jeff Brazeau with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
The OPP say while multiple criminal networks were identified, the involved individuals are not associated with a single, known organized crime group or network.
As investigators analyzed the roles of individuals within the identified criminal networks, evidence showed that while most of the activity involved the trafficking of firearms and drugs within Ontario, two individuals were allegedly involved in sourcing firearms from the United States.
“As the investigation progressed, investigators were able to source firearms originated in the United States — ultimately being trafficked in the London area,” said Brazeau.
Detectives say the seized crime guns originated in the U.S., including the states of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, Ohio and Virginia.
The criminal networks were also allegedly involved in high-level domestic trafficking of large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine.
Officers say the initial analysis of the seized fentanyl indicated that, while the purity was relatively high, it had been mixed with other substances. Police determined the product was not pure fentanyl and potency varied.
The estimated street value of the drugs seized is more than $2 million. Officers say the seizure of 12.5 kg of fentanyl equates to 125,000 potentially lethal street-level doses — enough to take the lives of a quarter of the population of London, Ont.
On Jan. 14, police say 14 search warrants were executed on homes and vehicles in London and Toronto. The following items were seized with approximate quantities:
- 31 crime guns
- 25 prohibited devices, including over capacity magazines and auto switches
- Imitation firearm
- 12.5 kg suspected fentanyl
- 4.5 kg suspected cocaine
- 275 oxycodone pills
- 460 hydromorphone pills
- 75 alprazolam pills
- $64,000
- Two vehicles as offence-related property
- High-end jewellery
- Cell phones and electronic devices
The 22-year-old from Stoney Creek’s name is being withheld, with officers saying they only release names if there is an imminent public safety risk.
Hamilton police also say fentanyl continues to be a challenge for them in the city, which continues to outpace other cities when it comes to opioid poisonings and deaths.
Anyone with any information about illegal firearms or the possession, manufacturing or trafficking of illicit drugs should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
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