11 high-level drug dealers caught in OPP-led Fossil project

ONTARIO-The OPP says it has seized large quantities of suspected cocaine, crystal meth, heroin and other illegal substances with an estimated street value of $2.7 million. It also arrested 11 high- and mid-level drug traffickers who were supplying illegal drugs in the Ottawa and Quebec regions.

“These are the individuals who are supplying illegal drugs to some of the drug trafficking networks that exist in Ottawa and surrounding communities. The goal of Project Fossil is to disrupt and cripple the supply network from the top down. Those charged have acted with no regard for public safety, and they do so for nothing more than profit. The OPP and all law enforcement agencies in Ontario will continue to hold those who distribute these drugs within our communities accountable,” said OPP Acting Chief Inspector Mike Stoddart.

The OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), supported by the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) and the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), launched Project Fossil in September 2023. This was an intelligence-led investigation to investigate multiple independent cells of high- and mid-level drug trafficking networks that were supplying illicit goods to drug distribution networks within local communities, including online distribution methods. Police say the accused were trafficking large quantities 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:

• AGAINST OCEB
• OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit
• OPP Emergency Response Team
• OPP Dog
• OPP-led Provincial Gun and Gang Enforcement Unit
• OPP-led provincial firearms 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 Operational Intelligence Agency
• OPP Regional Support Team
• OPP Anti-Rackets Department
• OPP Ottawa Detachment
• OPS Tactical Unit
• Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service of the OPS.
• OPS dog
• OPS Intelligence Unit
• SQ
• Service de Police de la Ville de Gatineau
• Cornwall Police
• Canada Border Patrol Agency
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police SES

Project Fossil was also supported by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).

During the investigation, police seized the following:

• 15 kg suspected cocaine
• Four kg of suspected methamphetamine
• 2.25 kg suspected heroin
• Seven pounds of suspected psilocybin and over 1,000 psilocybin edibles
• 33 grams of suspected MDMA
• 2,000 hydromorphone tablets
• More than 35 pounds of illegal cannabis, two kilos of cannabis concentrates and more than 1,000 edible cannabis products
• Two firearms
• Approximately $337,000 in Canadian currency
• About $880,000 worth of gold
• More than 75 banned devices (conducted energy weapons)

The seized drugs have an estimated street value of $2.7 million. The investigation is ongoing.

Eleven people have been charged with a total of 165 violations of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Actthe Criminal Code and the Cannabis Act. Nine of the suspects were remanded in custody following their arrest, one is currently in custody in connection with an unrelated matter and one has been released. The suspects are scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Ottawa at later dates.

“The Ottawa Police Service values ​​its partnerships and continued collaboration between law enforcement agencies across Ontario, particularly with the Ontario Provincial Police. Sophisticated criminal networks are having a significant impact across Ontario and drug trafficking networks are causing great harm in our communities. Project Fossil was a complex investigation and has had a significant impact on the supply of illicit narcotics in Ottawa and surrounding areas. With our police partners, we can positively impact the safety and well-being of the communities we serve,” said Tim Hodgins, Acting Superintendent of the Ottawa Police Service

Anyone with information regarding 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.