Police Say They've Seized Millions In Drugs, Arrested 31 Suspects In Alleged Trafficking Ring

A series of sunrise police raids netted million of dollars worth of cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and other narcotics and resulted in the arrests of 31 suspected drug dealers, ranging from street-level pushers to high-level players, authorities said Thursday.

Officers from Toronto, York and Peel Region executed 50 search warrants at homes, storage units and in vehicles across the GTA, including at three high-end condominiums at 88 Palace Pier Ct., 2121 Lake Shore Blvd. W., and a building on Harrison Gardens Boulevard in North York.

Aside from rounding up more than two dozen suspects allegedly involved in a massive drug-trafficking ring, cops say they seized a large quantity of illegal powder, pills and plants they claim were destined for Toronto streets, specifically in the Entertainment District, as part of their six-month operation dubbed "Project Cabra".

Here's what police claim they found during the early-morning raids:

• 31 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of almost $3.1 million;
• Six kilograms of heroin worth an estimated $1.8 million;
• Four kilograms of ecstasy worth an estimated $400,000;
• Two kilograms of crystal meth worth an estimated $200,000, and;
• Five kilograms of marijuana worth an estimated $20,000

Authorities also said they seized Viagra, GHB, steroids and $400,000 in cash.

When it came to demand for cocaine on Toronto streets, supply wasn't meeting demand and detectives allege that prompted some suspects to head to Quebec and the West Coast in search of coke.

"What we found during the course of our investigation is that the Toronto streets were drying up with respect to the cocaine that was available. We had some of our persons of interest travelling to Montreal . and out to Vancouver," Toronto Police Det. Sgt. John Decourcy explained.

On Sunday officers allegedly intercepted a tractor-trailer hauling 20 kilograms of cocaine to Toronto from Vancouver.

Decourcy said this was a "sophisticated" group with an established hierarchy ranging from street to high-level dealers.

Last month authorities arrested several suspects during early morning raids in Project Blackhawk - another drugs-and-guns-focused operation. Decourcy said the two cases aren't linked and that the latest seizure and series of arrests have dealt a serious blow to the drug trade in Toronto.

"We've had big busts. I think Blackhawk, with the lab that was found there, was a significant blow to that organization," he said. "I think anytime you have projects like this where you can remove this much drugs from the street is going to be a significant impact on the organizations."