Project Vegas: Police arrest nine people and seize $2 million worth of drugs

An investigation into a criminal ring that brought illegal drugs into Canada and distributed them in the Greater Toronto Area and other provinces resulted in the seizure of more than $2 million in drugs and the indictment of nine people.

On Wednesday, Peel Regional Police released the results of its Project Vegas investigation, which is a collaboration between several municipal, provincial and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Toronto Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police and the Canada Border Services Agency.

Investigators discovered the illegal drugs were being exported from Middle Eastern countries to other countries, including Canada, using various disguises, police said.

They added that after arriving in the country, the drugs were distributed throughout the Greater Toronto Area, Manitoba and British Columbia.

Last month, investigators executed 11 search warrants in the GTA, which resulted in the seizure of 89.6 kilograms of opium, 13 kilograms of methamphetamine, one Smith and Wesson .40 caliber firearm and approximately $310,000 in cash.

Police say the street value of the drugs is $2,066,000.

Nine people were also arrested during the search. One of the defendants, Ahmed Morid Abedi, 40, of Woodbridge, faces 16 counts, including five counts of sale of a controlled substance and four counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offense.

The remaining eight suspects face a total of 23 drug-related charges. A tenth person was charged with breach of trust.

Police are asking anyone with information about the investigation to call the Specialized Enforcement Bureau at 905-453-2121 extension 3515 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit peelcrimestoppers.ca.