Six people are facing 53 charges after a lengthy investigation into a drug trafficking operation in a south-central Ontario town resulted in the seizure of more than 1,400 grams of fentanyl and 15 firearms by York Regional Police.
Investigators received reports in February about a person trafficking drugs in Georgina, Ont., prompting the launch of “Project Madruga,” a joint investigation by the York Regional Police and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), officials told a May 26 press conference.
“What started with information from the community became a two-month investigation that dismantled a drug trafficking ring operating not only in Georgina, but in many areas of this province,” York Regional Police Deputy Chief Paulo Da Silva told reporters.
During the course of their investigation, authorities identified additional associates suspected of trafficking drugs across various jurisdictions, extending from Toronto to Huntsville, police said in a May 26 press release.
Investigators learned the Orillia OPP Community Street Crime Unit had already been investigating the same associates, and decided to initiate a joint force investigation.
Four men and two women were arrested after six search warrants were conducted on April 16 and May 8 in the Toronto and York regions, investigators said.
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In addition to the more than 1,400 grams of raw fentanyl, officers seized 400 grams of cocaine, 70 grams of methamphetamines, 360 suspected opioid pills, more than 260 grams of illicit cannabis, and in excess of $7,000. Police say the drugs have an estimated street value of roughly $215,000.
York Regional Police Det.-Sgt. Jason Marcoux told reporters the investigation did not uncover any transportation of drugs into the United States.
“It was basically drug trafficking from Toronto all the way to Huntsville that we located,” he said. “We don’t know where it’s manufactured. Unfortunately, our investigation didn’t reveal that.”
Along with the drugs, seven handguns, four shotguns, and four rifles were seized by law enforcement, Marcoux said. Of these, eight were categorized as restricted firearms, five were non-restricted, and two were prohibited, he said, adding that several over-capacity prohibited magazines were also confiscated.
Project Madruga is the largest seizure of drugs and firearms made in the Northern Six municipalities of York region, which includes Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Newmarket, and Whitchurch-Stouffville, Marcoux said.
The accused are 34-year-old Gary Laird, 24-year-old Renee Goomansingh, and 24-year-old Ayden Beauchamp, all of Toronto, 28-year-old Justice Comeau and 32-year-old Dariel Hidalgo Guzman both of Newmarket, and Ali Victor, 39, of Aurora.
The suspects face a wide range of drug trafficking and distribution charges, and some also face charges in connection with the firearms seized by police.
Both Marcoux and Da Silva talked about the impact fentanyl and other opioids are having on communities.
Da Silva said all provinces and regions across the country have been touched by the opioid crisis over the past decade.
“The trafficking of opioids and associated violence in smaller rural communities like Georgina has a devastating impact on the people and the families that live and work there,” Da Silva said.
When reporters asked Marcoux if he supports stricter penalties for those found guilty of fentanyl trafficking, he was quick to respond.
“Of course, yes. If you’re dealing with fentanyl, it’s a dangerous drug. It causes many deaths and chaos in our society,” he said. “We’re looking for the public to continue to help us, to continue to give us information on who’s selling drugs and who’s dealing with firearms, obviously, and that is the solution.”
Police are asking anyone with information to contact York Regional Police or submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers.
