Three charged after RCMP seize $4.5M worth of cocaine in Golden Horseshoe

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have arrested three suspects and seized over 170 kg of suspected cocaine in the Golden Horseshoe.

This investigation called Project Outrider was a collaboration between the RCMP and its partners with the Golden Horseshoe Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) including Niagara, Hamilton and Brantford police services.

“Investigators were able to identify a group of individuals associated with a condominium unit in Toronto. It is alleged that this condo was being used by these individuals exclusively for the purpose of receiving, processing and distributing cocaine at wholesale multi-kilogram levels,” says Insp. Lucio De Simone.

De Simone says a search warrant was executed at this condo, which resulted in the recovery of over 170 kg of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of $4.5 million.

In June, CFSEU investigators connected two of the accused from Hamilton to a condo in Toronto, where police were able to identify a unit associated with the suspects.

On July 8, the accused returned to the condo, where the police arrested them without incident.

WATCH MORE: Police seize nearly 1.7 tonnes of illegal drugs in Ontario bust

Investigators say another suspect was arrested a short distance away from the scene.

The morning after, search warrants were executed at the condo, a home in Hamilton and at two storage lockers in Hamilton.

On July 10, officers say an additional search warrant was executed at another home in Hamilton.

As a result of these searches, police recovered 170 g of suspected cocaine, tools, equipment and materials consistent with the processing and repackaging of cocaine.

About $165,000 in cash and other assets believed to be proceeds of crime were also seized.

Police say the three suspects remain in custody as the investigation continues and further charges could be laid.

“This success means fewer drugs entering Hamilton, fewer opportunities for organized crime to profit and safer communities for the residents that we serve,” says Hamilton police Supt. Marty Schulenberg.

READ MORE: Brantford police arrest three people, seize illegal drugs