A Lakeshore man is among 27 people arrested in a massive investigation into the illegal operations of two motorcycle clubs.
The Ontario Provincial Police said 43-year-old Jesse Thibert faces three charges, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, participation in a criminal organization, and commission of offence for a criminal organization.
"Street gangs, outlaw motorcycle gangs, and other organized crime groups undermine peace and security across our communities," said OPP Chief Superintendent Paul Mackey. "They deal in violence and conflict. They launder money. They traffic firearms and people. They hurt our communities."
The investigation into drug and gun trafficking in the Greater Toronto Area, dubbed Project Coyote, started 13 months ago and is ongoing.
It involved the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, Provincial Operations Intelligence Bureau, Toronto and Belleville Police Services, Canada Border Services Agency, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
"Criminals and their organizations don't pay attention to boundaries, so neither should police services," Toronto Police Service Staff Superintendent Paul MacIntyre said. "It's important that investigators work in concert to conduct such investigations to keep our communities safe."
On January 18, police carried out nine high-risk warrants in the Greater Toronto Area and arrested 12 people. On Wednesday, they executed additional warrants resulting in 15 more arrests, including three members of the Hells Angels and three more from the Red Devils Motorcycle Club.
During the operation, police seized a 3-D printed Glock P80 handgun, a stolen Ruger 357 handgun, three sawed-off shotguns, three replica handguns, two other handguns, two stun guns, and live ammunition.
Police also seized jewellery, ten vehicles, body armour, more than $370,000 in cash, 16 kilograms of cocaine, 20 lbs of cannabis, fentanyl, crystal methamphetamine, hashish and psilocybin.
A total of 15 suspects will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville on Friday.