'Project Oasis': Sarnia police announce $3.2 million drug bust on Friday

Members of the Sarnia Police Service release details of "Project Oasis" on Feb. 17, 2023 in Sarnia, Ont. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)

During a press conference held on Friday, police in Sarnia, Ont. announced details of “Project Oasis,” a $3.2 million drug seizure that has resulted in multiple charges against two London, Ont. men.

The drug seizure was a joint forces operation between the Sarnia Police Service’s Vice Unit and the Ontario Provincial Police Provincial Joint Forces Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team (Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau).

"Project Oasis started in December of 2022 and came to a conclusion on January 25th 2023,” said Det. Sgt. Mike Howell of the Sarnia Police Services Vice Unit in a press conference on Friday.

Police said that while the investigation was launched in Sarnia, the seizures actually took place at residences in London -- one on Mornington Avenue and one on Cheapside Street.

"As far as what we previously seized in the City of Sarnia, our highest would have been close to a kilogram of a schedule I substance — so, fentanyl, cocaine or crystal methamphetamine — but now you’re seeing 20 kilograms that ultimately was seized,” said Howell.

He added, "We seized over 15 kilograms of fentanyl, over 3.4 kilograms of cocaine, over 1.4 kilograms of MDMA and a number of thousands of prescription medications."

As a result of the investigation Taymor Pasha, 23, of London, and Justin Taillefer, 28, of London, are jointly charged with the following offences for their alleged involvement:

Pasha meanwhile is further charged alone with fail to comply with undertaking.

During the investigation, police seized the following items:

The estimated value of the seized items has a street value of $3,190,305, according to police.

— With files from CTV News London’s Gerry Dewan