What began as an investigation by Halton Police into a single suspect in October 2020, eventually led to a massive seizure of drugs, firearms, three vehicles, jewellery, and over $100,000 in cash. Altogether 12 people have been arrested and 44 charges have been laid in the successful conclusion of Project Icarus, according to police.
Halton Police held a media event on Wednesday to exhibit some of the contraband and other items. The media release described this as “the largest drug seizure in the History of the Halton Regional Police Service.” The ten month operation altogether netted 27 kg of cocaine, over 100 kg of marijuana, 15 kg of MDMA (ecstasy), and three firearms along with 1,100 rounds of ammunition. The investigation eventually became a joint operation involving Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario, the Canada Border Services Agency, and also involved Peel Regional, York Regional and London Police.
A table in the community room at Halton Police Headquarters was piled high with bags of cannabis, blocks of cocaine and mounds of purple crystals of MDMA. The group was also involved in the distribution of fentanyl, oxycodone, CBD oil and THC edible gummies.
A hydraulic cocaine press was also taken from suspects during the investigation. “We're at bulk levels of cocaine distribution here,” said Detective-Sgt. Barrett Gabriel, one of the presenters at the event. “Profit driven, they can break that down, add in the cutting element, and repress it to give it the original form of a kilo of cocaine, however, they've doubled or tripled their profit.”
The name ‘Icarus’ was suggested by one of the drug squad members. “It's from Greek mythology where Icarus flew too high and burned his wings,” said Gabriel. “As these investigations grow in scope, it branches out. We had a core group we focused on. As it continued to develop over the months new associates are introduced and added.”
Of the 12 suspects charged only two are from Halton and reside in Burlington. The rest are from London, Hamilton, Newmarket and Toronto. According to Halton Police Deputy Chief Jeff Hill, “Icarus has removed drugs, guns and criminals from the streets of not just Halton, but the entire GTA.”
The following persons have been arrested and charged in connection to this investigation:
James Ferrier (27) of Toronto:
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (x2)
Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Trafficking
Terrence Hancock (45) of London:
Careless Storage of a Firearm
Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
Unlawfully Produce Substance
Chanelle Luu (26) of Toronto:
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
John Byard (40) of Mississauga:
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Trafficking
Trevor Harwood (42) of Etobicoke:
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (x2)
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
Jile Cai (34) of Etobicoke:
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
Caroline Foster (41) of London:
Careless Use of a Firearm
Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
Unlawfully Produce Substance
Anthony Mason (39) of Hamilton:
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
Trafficking a Controlled Substance (x2)
Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Distribution
Brian Aguiar (32) of Burlington:
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (x4)
Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon (x2)
Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle (x2)
Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (x2)
Breach of Firearms Regulation (x2)
Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
Possession of a Weapon Obtained by Crime
Ana Antunes (30) of Burlington:
Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
Crystal Giang (30) of North York:
Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Distribution
Thanh Ma (31) of Newmarket:
Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Distribution
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