Investigation uncovers tow company drug trafficking ring in Mississauga

An OPP drug trafficking investigation into a towing company in Mississauga has uncovered a significant quantity of opioids and other drugs.

The investigation was led by OPP’s Organized Crime Towing Industry Project and began in October. Officers suspected towing companies in Ontario of running an organized drug trafficking ring.

The investigation involved five different police services across the province including Peel Regional Police, the Toronto Police Service, Durham Regional Police, York Regional Police, and the Barrie Police Service.

Officers executed a search warrant last Thursday at a Mississauga residence and discovered nine different types of narcotics intended for trafficking. There were over 2000 tablets uncovered.

The narcotics found include nine different types of substances in varying quantities:

• 75 LSD tablets
• 670 codeine tablets
• 390 oxycodone tablets
• 10 morphine tablets
• 6 grams of methamphetamine
• 30 grams of cannabis
• 25 cannabis edibles
• 9 grams of psilocybin
• 360 psilocybin tablets

Additionally, more than 500 tablets suspected to be a variety of other opioids were also seized. The approximate street-value of the substances seized is $25,000.

Yousif Al-Awad, 24, of Mississauga has been arrested and charged with the following offences:

• 12 counts of possession of opioids for the purpose of trafficking
• 2 counts of possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking
• 2 counts of possession of heroin for the purpose of trafficking
• 2 counts of possession of controlled substance schedule I for the purpose of trafficking
• 2 counts of possession for the purpose of distributing
• 2 counts of possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling

The accused was held in custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Mississauga at a later date.