Eleven people are facing 56 charges following a four-month investigation into a drug trafficking network operating along the Toronto-Hamilton corridor.
Known as Project Catfish, the investigation began in May and culminated in a substantial seizure of drugs and firearms Sept. 5 when investigators simultaneously executed nine search warrants in Burlington, Hamilton, Toronto, Dunnville, and Cambridge, according to a police press release.
The raids, which targeted both residences and vehicles, were spearheaded by Halton Regional Police and Haldimand County Ontario Provincial Police with the help of Waterloo Regional Police, Hamilton Police, Toronto Police, and Niagara Regional Police.
Officers seized four kilograms of methamphetamine, three kilograms of cocaine, 115 grams of oxycodone, 950 grams of fentanyl, $120,000 in cash, and two vehicles, as well as two loaded Smith and Wesson handguns, a Glock firearm, ammunition and a prohibited gun magazine, and two crossbows.
Weapons seized during Project Catfish included two loaded Smith and Wesson handguns, a Glock firearm, ammunition, and a prohibited gun magazine. Halton Regional Police Service handout photo
The 11 suspects range in age from 19 to 51 years old and are charged with an assortment of offences related to drugs and firearms.
Four Dunnville residents face a combined 20 charges. Dario Dilber, 34, faces 14 drug and firearm charges while 39-year-old Julia Dowling has been charged with one drug-related and five firearm-related offences. Sharmel Facey, 19, was charged with two possession for the purpose of trafficking charges while Katherine Hayes, 35, faces one drug charge.
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Ten drug and weapons charges have been brought against Timothy King, 51, from Hannon while Burlington residents Abdalle Farah, 31, and Yahya Yusuf, 33, each face one drug charge and three gun-related charges.
Michael Tesfay, 28, and Faycal Krazini, 23, both of Cambridge, face a combined five drug charges. Tesfay has also been charged with three counts of breach of release.
Issa Sufi, 28, of Toronto has been charged with three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and failure to comply with an undertaking while 45-year-old Hamilton resident Karel Beleba faces a meth-related drug charge.
All 11 are slated to appear in court for bail hearings, the dates of which were not disclosed by police.
