The Toronto Police Service have announced the takedown of a major international drug-smuggling ring, which saw more than 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, crystal meth, and marijuana being transported between Mexico, California, and Canada using modified tractor-trailers.

Dubbed Project Brisa, the six-month investigation led officers to work in partnership with Canadian and American law enforcement agencies as well as agencies throughout southwestern Ontario and across Canada.

It is alleged that between November 2020 and May 2021, investigators identified those responsible for transporting the illicit substances across borders for sale in Canada. It is further alleged this was made possible by the installation of hydraulic traps in tractor-trailers, capable of smuggling 100 kilograms of substance in a single trip.

Twenty people were arrested (including one Young Person) and two suspects are currently outstanding. Collectively, they face 182 charges.

Throughout the project, investigators identified a person known as the “Trap Maker.” This man was allegedly responsible for building hidden compartments within the tractor-trailers for the purposes of smuggling large amounts of contraband across borders.

Jason Hall, 43, of Surrey, British Columbia, also known as the “Trap Maker,” turned himself in to police in Toronto last week and is charged with:

1. Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
2. Participate in a Criminal Organization

In total, investigators seized the following:

– 444 kilos of cocaine
– 182 kilos of crystal meth
– 427 kilos of marijuana
– 300 oxycodone pills
– $966,020 in CDN currency
– 21 vehicles, including 5 tractor-trailers
– 1 firearm

The street value of the seized drugs is estimated to be more than $61 million. Nineteen others have been arrested as part of Project Brisa

Project Brisa, Largest, international drug takedown in Toronto Police Service’s history https://t.co/esSiy72iUQ

— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) June 22, 2021

Read the original press release and full story HERE

Source and credits: TorontoPolice.on.ca

iTrucker  / Mario Pawlowski / iTrucker.com