12 Toronto gang arrests made in Sudbury

Toronto Police service statement Inspector Peter Moreira from the Toronto police service

Update:

12 people from Sudbury and 1 from Wikwemikong were among the 120 people arrested in that multi-police force sweep yesterday of gang members across Ontario.

Toronto police coordinated it all and they say Sudbury is one of the places where gang activity by the “Driftwood Crips” has been identified.

Inspector Peter Moreira from the Toronto police service said, "Members of this group have been involved in numerous reckless acts including shootings, kidnappings, firearms offenses, armed sexual assaults, robberies, drug trafficking and other serious criminal offenses. The wanton disregard for public safety during the commission of these offenses is nothing short of appalling."

Toronto police initiated a sweeping series of arrests overnight aimed at gang activity in a number of Ontario communities.

120 people were arrested, and over 600 charges have been laid. Among the cities, where local police helped in the raids and where gang activity by the *Driftwood Crips* has been identified, is Sudbury.

Detective Sergeant Brett Nicol from the Toronto police service said, “We are alleging the “Driftwood Crips” are operating as a criminal organization with cells that have infiltrated various communities across Ontario, into the Sudbury region, they're throughout Saskatchewan, Alberta and into B.C.”

Toronto police say 77 search warrants were executed between 1am and 5am in communities across Ontario targeting gang members.

Chief Mark Saunders from the Toronto police service said, "The major objective of project Kronic was to identify the members and leaders of the Driftwood Crips, to determine those who supply this group with contraband including narcotics and weapons, solve historical serious crimes, and disrupt the violence in many affected communities."

Saunders says the raids involved 800 officers from 20 different police forces across Ontario. Police said the arrests were related to crimes including attempted murder, trafficking firearms, kidnapping conspiracies, robbery and drug trafficking.

"We allege that a member of the Driftwood Crips was supplying a large quantity of fentanyl and cocaine to a network of dealers in the Sudbury area, which include a member from hells angels.” Said Saunders.

Members of the Greater Sudbury police were involved, but couldn’t speak about the raids or on how many people were arrested in Northern Ontario.

They are deferring to the Toronto police for now and promise more details on Monday.