Six people arrested and more than $842K worth of drugs seized in joint police investigation

Images of suspected drugs and cash were released by police at the conclusion of an investigation known as 'Project Deception Lake.' (Courtesy: Waterloo Regional Police Service)

Several people are facing charges after a multi-jurisdictional police investigation that resulted in the seizure of more than $842,000 of illegal drugs.

The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) worked with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service (SSMPS) and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) on a drug trafficking and exporting investigation they called ‘Project Deception Lake.’

WRPS said they also received support from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, York Regional Police, Woodstock Police Service and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

As part of the investigation, the SSMPS stopped a driver on Highway 17 East on Jan. 12 after WRPS tipped them off about a man who was potentially transporting drugs to Sault Ste. Marie. When officers searched the vehicle, they found approximately $142,338 worth of suspected cocaine and fentanyl.

The driver, a 23-year-old man from Kitchener, was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Three days later, police searched a home on Wellington Street East in Sault Ste. Marie and found suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and other drug paraphernalia. Investigators believe the drugs were worth more than $700,000 on the street.

The same Kitchener man was charged with three more counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking. Police believe the man was mailing methamphetamine to Australia. They say the CBSA intercepted a shipment.

WRPS charged him with exporting methamphetamine, possession for the purpose of exporting, possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime and possession of a prohibited firearm.

Waterloo Region and Woodstock searches

Meanwhile, as part of the ongoing investigation, WRPS searched homes on Blackburn Street in Cambridge, Knights Lane in Woodstock and Hollybrook Crescent and West Oak Trail in Kitchener on Jan. 13 and Feb. 20.

A large amount of cocaine, psilocybin (“magic mushrooms”), hashish, heroin and MDMA pills were seized. Officers said they also found more than $130,000 in Canadian cash, luxury jewelry and bags, precious metal bars, cellphones, three vehicles, a bulletproof vest and a prohibited firearm with ammunition.

A 40-year-old man, a 30-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, all from Waterloo Region, were charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime and other offences.

A 28-year-old man from Woodstock was also charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime.

March arrest

One more arrest was made in March.

Officers said they arrested a 47-year-old Orangeville man on March 11. He was wanted on an outstanding warrant as part of the investigation. He was charged with five counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and officers said they seized cash and precious metal bars.

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