Australian National Review – Toronto police lay more than 150 charges after investigation into violent street gang

Toronto Police Service (TPS) have made 32 arrests and laid 158 charges following an investigation into a Toronto street gang that allegedly used Canada Post to distribute drugs to other provinces.

Police said Thursday that the 11-month investigation, dubbed “Project Foxxx,” focused on the allied activities of the so-called “Jamestown Crips” street gang. The gang historically operated in Etobicoke but operates well beyond its borders, police say.

“This investigation has impacted areas across Ontario and cities like Thompson, Manitoba and St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Their reach into these communities spreads violence, drugs and fear and we must do everything we can to stop them.”

Officers executed 35 search warrants in Toronto, Hamilton, Vaughan, Brampton, Mississauga, Guelph and Thompson, Manitoba, resulting in the arrest of 32 suspects.

During the investigation, nine firearms, 4.7 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of $568,000, six kilograms of methamphetamine worth approximately $480,000 and more than $320,000 in proceeds of crime were seized.

“They’re hiding it. They’re making it look like a regular package and obviously there are a lot of packages that go through Canada Post every day, every hour,” said Inspector Paul Krawczyk, according to CTV News.

“They tried to hide what they were doing, but our investigation revealed this, so we worked with Canada Post to intercept packages before they arrived in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.”

TPS worked with the York and Peel Regional Police Services and the Ontario Provincial Police.

Premier Danielle Smith says Alberta “will not do anything to help” the Trudeau Liberals confiscate legal firearms.

Smith tells Rebel reporter Alex Dhaliwal that Ottawa should be focusing on guns in the hands of gangs, not target shooters and hunters. https://t.co/TTs0E4GGlP photo.twitter.com/h37nWa7nLu

— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) April 2, 2024

“Gangs operate with a total disregard for the safety and well-being of others. Their criminal activities endanger innocent lives and destabilize communities. We are taking decisive action to remove these dangerous elements from our streets,” he said.

Police said the 158 criminal charges include: “possession of a narcotic drug for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a prohibited device, possession of proceeds of crime, trafficking, conspiracy, firearms offences, tampering with a serial number, assault, participation in the activities of a criminal organization and committing an offence for a criminal organization.”

The suspects range in age from 16 to 40.

“Our intent is to disrupt. I’m not going to pretend that the gang doesn’t exist as of this morning, but the reality is, you know, if you can take nine guns off the street, just one gun can be used in dozens of shootings and claim innocent lives,” Krawczyk said.