Canadian police forces working with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency say they have broken up a major international drug organization in an operation they dubbed "Project Scarecrow."
The 18-month investigation culminated Tuesday with the execution of 20 warrants in the Ottawa area. Those arrested are facing a total of 230 drug and money laundering charges.
Police officials said a drug bust earlier this month netted more than 25 kilograms of marijuana, several firearms and more than $83,000 in cash. Police said the scope of the investigation was much bigger than they initially anticipated.
Ottawa police Superintendent Tim Armour said the operation began in April 2007 with a probe into an Asian criminal organization that produced and sold marijuana in the Ottawa area.
"After several months of work, a series of indoor marijuana grow operations were identified along with a distribution network reaching Northern Ontario, the Toronto area, and the United States through the Akwesasne Mohawk territory," said Armour.
In a joint press conference that included members of the DEA, the RCMP, the Ontario Provincial Police, Ottawa and Mohawk police, and the Canadian Border Services Agency, Armour told reporters 11 people were arrested in New York on Aug. 18 and face trafficking and conspiracy to import drugs charges.
"During the course of the investigation, five marijuana operations were dismantled resulting in the destruction of just under 3,000 plants," Armour said.
"The combined street values of the plants and packaged marijuana was approximately $3.5 million dollars."
The criminal organization was also found to be importing ecstasy and cocaine into the Ottawa, police said.
"The success of Project Scarecrow has put a sizeable dent at the production and distribution levels of the drug trade in Ottawa," Armour said in the Ottawa police press release.
RCMP Insp. Bill Malone said the project's goal was to target a few key players in the drug trade.
"If you try to catch all the rabbits you end up catching none," said Malone. "This type of crime is not unique to Ontario or Ottawa; it's a problem across the country, so it's about prioritizing your targets and using your resources."
Police said part of the drug operation went through locations in the Akwesasne Mohawk community, which were "identified as smuggling conduits." The criminal activities of the organization extended all the way to Asia, police said.
According to the press release, "The Criminal Organizations were also involved in money laundering operations, in which proceeds were transferred through the United States of America, into Canada, and Vietnam."
With a report by CTV Ottawa's John Hua
