19 arrested in GTA raids targeting organized crime: RCMP
Posted June 2, 2015 6:28 am.
Last Updated June 4, 2015 7:45 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Police have arrested 19 people in connection with organized crime cells in the Greater Toronto Area, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said.
Heavily-armed tactical units from York Region, Toronto and Guelph took part in the RCMP-led raids early morning on Tuesday.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit executed 24 search warrants following a two-year investigation, dismantling several alleged crime cells in the GTA involved with importing drugs, trafficking of firearms and drugs, extreme violence and extortion.
One suspect was taken into custody from Louana Crescent, near Highway 7 and Weston Road, in Vaughan just before 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
Around the same time, two suspects were also taken into custody from a high-end condominium on Evans Avenue, across from Sherway Gardens, in Etobicoke.
Police say level of violence that people arrested in raids were prepared to conduct was serious.
Police identified multiple groups and confirm that members of the criminal organization ‘Ndrangheta charged as a result of the investigation, dubbed Project Phoenix.
There is no word on charges.
