Two Oshawa residents are among the 27 people facing charges after an international investigation into drug and gun trafficking in Ontario.
Project Coyote was a collaboration between OPP, Toronto police and Belleville police. It looked into activities by alleged drug traffickers in the GTA and members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.
Twelve people were arrested on January 18. The other 15 people were arrested Wednesday. This included three Hells Angels members and three members of the Red Devils Motorcycle Club.
Warrants were executed across the GTA and in Windsor, Orillia, Centre Hastings, Belleville, Quinte West and Campbellford.
The two Oshawa residents arrested are Joshua Sytsma, 23, and Dillon Huevel, 31. They face on count each of conspiracy to commit and indictable offence.
Some of the 27 suspects may be facing additional charges as the investigation continues.
Over 13 months, investigators have already seized weapons, cash and other items, including:
- Five handguns
- Three sawed-off shotguns
- Two stun guns
- About $150,000 in jewelry, including two Rolex watches, gold chains and rings
- Ten vehicles
- More than $370,000 in Canadian money
- Body armour
- Drugs, including cocaine (16 kilograms), fentanyl (1.5 kilograms), crystal meth (six kilograms) and another 400 crystal meth pills
Investigators were aided by the Canada Border Services Agency and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
“Street gangs, Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs and other organized crime groups undermine peace and security across our communities,” said Chief Superintendent Paul Mackey of OPP’s Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau. “They deal in violence and conflict. They launder money. They traffic firearms and people. They hurt our communities. Joint investigations, such as the OPP, Toronto Police Service and Belleville Police Service’s Project Coyote, are critical in dismantling these criminal operations.”
Photos released by OPP
