Hamilton Police seize $1.8M in drugs, charge more than 100 people in months-long investigation

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Published April 9, 2021 at 7:57 am

Hamilton Police charged more than 100 people and seized $1.8 million worth of drugs and dozens of weapons in a months-long investigation.

On Friday (April 9), police shared the results of their Project STRONG initiative which aimed to crack down on increasing gun and drug activity across the city.

“This project reflected a whole of service approach. Everyone from patrol to our guns and gangs unit were equipped with information to identify the individuals responsible for the increase in Hamilton’s gun violence,” said acting Hamilton Police chief, Frank Bergen in a press release.

“The name Project Strong truly reflected the outcome we were looking to achieve – Stopping Targeted Retaliation of Neighbourhood Gangs.”

According to police, in 2020 there were 51 shooting in Hamilton, 21 of which took place between September and December.

Since beginning Project STRONG, police said there has been a significant decrease in the number of retaliatory shootings between members of low-level street gangs and drug traffickers.

From January to March 2021, there have been six shooting in Hamilton, police report.

Project STRONG specifically targeted any area in Hamilton with a noted increase in shootings or increased drug trafficking, police said.

As a result of the investigation, police seized:

  • 23 firearms
  • 880+ rounds of ammunition
  • 23 weapons
  • $350,000 in currency (approximately)
  • 4.6 kg cocaine
  • 2.5 kg fentanyl
  • 645 g MDMA
  • 1 kg psilocybin (mushrooms)
  • 1.5 kg crystal meth
  • 8.6 g heroin
  • Over 13,000 pills such as Xanax, ecstasy, oxycodone, codeine, hydromorphone
  • 6 kg marijuana
  • 1100 ml GHB and Codeine liquid
  • 900 packages of THC related products
  • dozens of unknown pills for testing
  • 6.3 kg of suspected cutting agent

The total street value of the drugs is estimated at $1.8 million. Over the course of the project, there were also 112 people charged, 831 charges laid, as well as 87 warrants on residences and vehicles.

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