$140,000 worth of drugs seized, 30 arrested as part of ‘Project Piece’
Posted Sep 6, 2019 03:19:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Waterloo Regional Police say they have arrested 30 people and seized $140,000 worth of drugs, following a four month investigation.
“Project Piece” focused on recent violent activity and the illicit drug trade in Cambridge.
The investigation, led by the Drugs and Firearms unit, Criminal Intelligence unit, and General Investigations unit, resulted in the execution of nine search warrants – eight in Cambridge and one in Kitchener.
Those who were arrested range in age from 17 to 59 and police have not released any names.
28 of those arrested are from Cambridge, the other two live in Kitchener.
Over 110 charges were laid including possession for the purpose of trafficking, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of stolen property.
Here are the items that were seized during “Project Piece”:
- four firearms
- three imitation firearms
- approximately 427 grams of fentanyl
- two syringes of liquid fentanyl
- approximately 156 grams of methamphetamine
- approximately 39 grams of cocaine powder
- approximately 1,100 pills, including Hydromorphone and other controlled substances
- two drug presses
- one conducted energy weapon
- one expandable baton
- four prohibited knives
- approximately 40 rounds of ammunition
- one crossbow
- counterfeit currency
- more than $12,000 in Canadian currency
“Naturally the number of weapons, ammunition and illegal drugs that were seized during this investigation is concerning,” Waterloo Regional Police Chief, Bryan Larkin, told a news conference on Friday morning.
“I speak about this time and time again. Our region has a significant addiction issue, our province has a significant addiction issue and our nation has a significant addiction issue.” added Larkin. “And of course that leads and money tentacles lead to crime, public disorder, but a myriad of social issues and social challenges.”
He also said police can not “arrest their way” out of this challenge.
“We need a strong infrastructure of social services, we need a strong infrastructure of public health, we need a strong education system – that's the reality, is that we need a collaborative community approach and that is exactly what we're doing in Waterloo Region.” said Larkin.
As well, he said all levels of government need to work together and fund the significant challenges the region faces.
