Six people from the London region are among ten facing a combined 268 charges after a massive police investigation spanning several southwestern Ontario cities, turned up a large amount of drugs, firearms, and explosives.
Working with local police services, provincial police in full tactical gear raided 11 locations in London, St. Thomas, Brantford, Ancaster, Paris, Barrie, and Oakland on the morning of March 9. It was the culmination of an eight month firearms and drug trafficking investigation, OPP said on Thursday.
Dubbed 'Project Weaver,' the operation netted police 31 firearms, 81 grenades, two grenade launchers, three explosive projectiles, and 22 other prohibited devices. Police also seized 10.85 kilograms of cocaine, 216 lbs of illegal cannabis five lbs of hash, 36 lbs of psilocybin, 715 grams of MDMA and more than $10,000 in other illegal cannabis products
Nearly $130,000 cash, eight vehicles and an Outlaws Motorcycle Club vest were also found during the searches.
Investigators have determined the explosives seized were not taken from the Canadian Armed Forces, they were just designed to look military-grade.
Four alleged criminal networks, including the Outlaws Motorcycle Club in London, have been identified in the sweeping guns and drug trafficking crackdown.
The Outlaws are alleged to be trafficking cocaine and weapons and distributing and selling cannabis. The other network linked to the London-area is said to have been trafficking psilocybin and weapons and distributing cannabis. Two networks in the Brantford area are alleged to have been trafficking explosives, in addition to guns and cocaine.
"Project Weaver has revealed the availability of truly alarming offensive weapons and firearms, which compromise the safety of the citizens of Ontario," said OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique. "It is imperative that law enforcement continue the fight against illegal firearms and those who choose to engage in their trafficking. The OPP is committed to a safe and secure Ontario and this investigation has prevented numerous illegal firearms, weapons and large quantities of drugs from reaching our communities."
An investigation into where the seized weapons originated from is continuing.
The ten people charged include Ryan Daugneault, 44 of London; Stacey Scaman, 40 of London; Michael Caron, 47, of London; Daniel Bell, 33, of St. Thomas; Cindy Klassen, 35, of St. Thomas; Daniel Boris, 42, of Strathroy; Alicia Lewis-Haynes, 36, of Paris, Jayme Hill, 31, of Brantford; Branden Spaulding, 32, of Brantford; and Sean Sutherland, 32, of Ancaster.
