An update now to a story myFM released last week stemming from an OPP investigation where several individuals are facing serious charges at the conclusion of Project WEAVER, an eight-month investigation into firearms and drug trafficking in Southwestern Ontario. A total of 10 people have been charged with 268 offences including individuals from London, St. Thomas and Adelaide Metcalfe Township.
The four independent criminal networks identified include:
Members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club in the London area responsible for trafficking cocaine in large quantities.
A criminal network trafficking firearms and cannabis in the London area.
A criminal network responsible for trafficking firearms and cocaine in the Brantford area.
A criminal network engaged in the trafficking of offensive weapons, explosive devices and cocaine in the Brantford area, including grenades and a grenade launcher.
The investigative team has been engaged with CFNIS to determine the source of the explosives and offensive weapons. It has been determined that these are not Canadian Military explosives and investigators are confident they have identified the source. There is no threat to public safety.
Ten day ago, police executed 11 search warrants in London, Brantford, Ancaster, Paris, St. Thomas, Oakland and Barrie. Members from OPP OCEB, BEU, Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU), PWEU, Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit (PAFU), K-9, Community Street Crime Units (CSCU), Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET), and Aviation as well as specialty units from Hamilton Police Service, Brantford Police Service, London Police Service, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Barrie Police Service, Stratford Police Service and St. Thomas Police Service assisted with the execution of the search warrants.
As a result of this investigation, police seized:
31 firearms
81 grenades
Two (2) grenade launchers
22 other prohibited devices
Three (3) explosive projectiles
10.85 kilograms of cocaine
216 pounds of illegal cannabis
Five (5) pounds of hash
More than $10,000 in other illegal cannabis products
36 pounds of psilocybin
715 grams of MDMA
One (1) Outlaws MC vest
$127,757 in Canadian currency
$2,106 in US currency
Eight (8) vehicles
The investigative team has seized a total of 31 firearms as a result of Project WEAVER. The OPP-led PWEU has worked collaboratively with its partners to trace the origin of these firearms. At this time, the origin of all 31 firearms is not known, however some originated domestically in Canada, and some have an origin in the United States. This portion of the investigation is still underway.
Investigators have worked tirelessly to contribute to the disruption of the illegal firearms, offensive weapons and drug trafficking market in Ontario. The four criminal networks responsible for these illegal activities have jeopardized the safety of numerous Ontario communities. Investigators have diligently gathered intelligence and evidence over the past several months in order to lay significant and serious charges against those responsible. Some of these individuals have criminal backgrounds and were already bound by existing firearms prohibitions.