‘Complex and large-scale’: Drugs worth $4.4M seized in RCMP probe, 3 Toronto-area residents charged

Items seized during a RCMP drug investigation. (RCPM photo)

Six people, three of whom are from the Toronto area, are facing a total of seven criminal charges in connection with the trafficking of illegal drugs in the GTA and Quebec.

The arrests come following what investigators called a “complex and large-scale” 18-month investigation that was initiated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) Serious and Organized Crime unit in Hamilton and Niagara.

The probe, which was focused on a large-scale money laundering and drug trafficking operation, is led by the RCMP’s Federal Policing – Central Region with the support of the Ontario Provincial Police, Toronto Police Service, York Regional Police, Peel Police Service, Sûreté du Québec, Montreal Police Service, and the Canada Border Services Agency.

During the course of the investigation, police say they executed more than 30 search warrants at multiple locations and seized of a large quality of controlled substances and criminal proceeds, including 153 kilograms of cocaine, 10 kilograms of heroin, half a kilogram of ketamine, nearly $1.6 million in bulk Canadian currency, a prohibited firearm, and a vehicle.

The total estimated value of the substances seized is more than $4.4 million, the RCMP said in a news release.

As a result of the investigation, six people have been arrested and charged with drug possession and/or trafficking.

They are Panagiotis Cheliotis, 52, of Quebec; Valeria Masas-Montano, 32, and Quoc Nguyen, 38, both of Toronto; Robert Pinnsoneault, 36, of Montreal; Austin Le, 30, of Mississauga; and Yeung Cheung, 48, also of Quebec.

One unidentified individual remains outstanding. An arrest warrant has been issued for them for drug-related charges.

“Organized crime investigations of this scale require time, persistence, and strong partnerships. Over the past 18 months, RCMP investigators have worked diligently alongside our law‑enforcement partners to dismantle a complex drug‑trafficking operation,” Insp. Lucio De Simone, the officer-in-charge of the RCMP Federal Policing – Central Region, Hamilton-Niagara Detachment said.

“This investigation sends a clear message that those who profit from illicit drugs will be identified and held accountable.”