ONTARIO-The OPP says it has seized large quantities of suspected cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, heroin and other illegal substances with an estimated street value of $2.7 million and arrested 11 high-level and mid-level drug traffickers supplying illegal drugs in the Ottawa area and into Québec.
“These are the people supplying illegal drugs to some of the drug trafficking networks that exist in Ottawa and communities in surrounding areas. The goal of Project Fossil has been to disrupt and cripple the supply network from the top down. The accused have operated without regard for public safety, and they do this for nothing more than profit. The OPP and all law enforcement agencies across Ontario will continue to hold accountable those who distribute these drugs within our communities.” said OPP Acting Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart
The OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), supported by the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) and the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), began Project Fossil in September 2023. This was an intelligence-led investigation to examine multiple independent cells of high-level and mid-level drug trafficking networks supplying illegal commodities to drug distribution networks within local communities, including online distribution methods. Police say the accused trafficked in large volumes of controlled substances, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, illicit cannabis and psilocybin.
On August 8, 2024, the investigative team executed 13 search warrants in Ottawa, Carleton Place and Gatineau, Québec with members from:
- OPP OCEB
- OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit
- OPP Emergency Response Team
- OPP Canine
- OPP-led Provincial Guns and Gangs Enforcement Unit
- OPP-led Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit
- OPP-led Provincial Auto Theft and Towing Team
- OPP-led Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit
- OPP-led Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team
- OPP Provincial Operations Intelligence Bureau
- OPP Regional Support Team
- OPP Anti-Rackets Branch
- OPP Ottawa Detachment
- OPS Tactical Unit
- OPS Explosive Disposal Unit.
- OPS Canine
- OPS Intelligence Unit
- SQ
- Service de Police de la Ville de Gatineau
- Cornwall Police Service
- Canada Border Services Agency
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police SES
Project Fossil was also supported by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).
Throughout the investigation, police say they seized:
- 15 kg of suspected cocaine
- Four kg of suspected methamphetamine
- 2.25 kg of suspected heroin
- Seven pounds of suspected psilocybin and more than 1,000 psilocybin edibles
- 33 grams of suspected MDMA
- 2,000 hydromorphone tablets
- More than 35 pounds of illegal cannabis, two kg cannabis concentrates and more than 1,000 cannabis edibles
- Two firearms
- Approximately $337,000 in Canadian currency
- Approximately $880,000 in gold
- More than 75 prohibited devices (conducted energy weapons)
The drugs seized have an estimated street-value of $2.7 million. The investigation is ongoing.
Eleven individuals have been charged with a total of 165 offences contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and the Cannabis Act. Nine of the accused were remanded into custody upon arrest, one is currently incarcerated in relation to another matter, and one was released. The accused are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Ottawa on later dates.
“The Ottawa Police Service values its partnerships and ongoing collaboration between law enforcement agencies across Ontario, particularly with the Ontario Provincial Police. Sophisticated criminal networks have significant impacts across Ontario and drug trafficking networks cause great harm in our communities. Project Fossil was a complex investigation, and it has had a significant impact on the supply of illegal narcotics in Ottawa and surrounding areas. With our policing partners, we can positively influence community safety and well being in the communities we serve.” stated Ottawa Police Service Acting Superintendent Tim Hodgins
Anyone with information on drug trafficking or illegal activity is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
