Six people from Owen Sound and Grey Bruce are among 29 arrested across Ontario after police crack an alleged drug smuggling ring.
Officers raided 34 homes and businesses yesterday (WED) across a large swath of the province — including Owen Sound, Meaford, Paisley and Walkerton.
Among those arrested are two Owen Sound residents, one from Paisley, one from Desboro, one from Meaford and one from Walkerton.
OPP Detective Inspector Ian Grant tells Bayshore Broadcasting News they seized approximately 3 kilograms of cocaine, 104 pounds of MDMA (ecstasy), and about 250 pounds of marijuana.
Police also seized 1 pound of an opium extract known as DODE, as well as meth and oxycotin pills.
And Grant says they seized two drug labs, cash and weapons as part of Project Needham — which began in the spring of 2009.
Grant also tells us the ring used Zodiac boats to transport the drugs between the U.S and Canada over Lake Huron and Lake Ontario.
Police allege the suspects produced and exported ecstasy and marijuana and manufactured crystal meth.
Grant says around 350 officers were involved in the simultaneous take downs yesterday (wed) morning across Grey Bruce.
Raids also took place in Quinte West, Belleville, Prince Edward County, Toronto, Peel and York Regions.
Also arrested are seven people from Toronto, six from Belleville, three from Prince Edward County and one from New Brunswick.
Police were aided in their investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. drug and border officials.
THE SUSPECTS LOCALLY ARE:
28 year old Stratis Korinis, and 30 year old Louis Ryan LaPointe both of Owen Sound.
27 year old John Patrick Hughes of Meaford.
29 year old Robert Post of Desboro.
27 year old Tanner Tisdale of Paisley
and 33 year old Michael Pinto of Walkerton.
MOST ARE CHARGED WITH : (ALL OR COMBINATION OF)
1. Conspiracy to export illegal drugs
2. Exporting illegal drugs
3. Conspiracy to traffic
4. Participate in criminal organization
>> Click here to see a map of Project Needham
