Friday, April 29, 2011

North Bay Police Service
Ontario Provincial Police - Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau
News Release

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Project Netherfield takes down drug trafficking network

Police have charged 39 individuals with a total of 159 various illegal drug trafficking offences and possession of property obtained by crime following a complex joint forces investigation led by the North Bay Police Service, Anishinabek Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB).

OCEB, Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) – Project Gateway, a joint forces drug investigation team in the North Bay area, comprised of police officers from the OPP, North Bay Police, Anishinabek Police Service detected a group that was engaged in drug trafficking activity in the North Eastern portion of the Province. As a result, “Project Netherfield” was launched in the spring of 2010.

“Project Netherfield” targeted a criminal organization engaged in the large-scale trafficking and possession of cocaine and oxycodone and included marihuana, methamphetamine, and fentynal. The accused individuals employed means such as travelling on northern highways utilizing drug couriers to traffic these illegal drugs.

On Thursday, April 28th, 2011 “Project Netherfield” investigators and police across the province, in North Bay, West Nipissing, Ottawa, Hamilton, Halton, Toronto, Mississauga, and Kingston executed 16- search warrants on residences and businesses. In total, the investigation resulted in the seizure of the following items:
Controlled Substances totalling a potential street value of $590,000.00
1 Firearm
2781 grams of Cocaine
7000 Oxycodone Pills
2788 grams of Marihuana
214 grams of Methamphetamine
22 Ecstacy pills, 25 gram of ecstacy powder
$23,076 in cash
8 vehicles
2 stolen vehicles and stolen vehicle parts
1 Snow machine
1 Aircraft

Project Netherfield was supported by and involved members from the OPP, North Bay Police Service, Anishinabek Police Service. The investigation received assistance from the Hamilton Police Service, Ottawa Police Service, Halton Regional Police Peel Regional Police Service, and Toronto Police Service.

The investigation is continuing and further charges are pending. A list of persons charged to date and their associated charges is attached. Please contact Media Representatives from Hamilton Police Service, Peel Regional Police, and Toronto Police Service for additional persons charged in their respective police jurisdiction as it relates to this investigation.