The largest cocaine bust and money seizure in Barrie police’s history has also led to the arrest of seven people.
Project Glaze was a four-and-a-half-month investigation that was conducted by the Barrie Police Drug Enforcement Unit. It concluded with the execution of Controlled Drug and Substance Act (CDSA) search warrants at four residences in south and central Barrie, as well as a home and storage locker in Innisfil on Nov. 23.
Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon told BarrieToday the operation was not an easy one.
“This was a very detailed and thorough operation that was one of those situations where you never knew what you were going to walk into,” said Leon. “All of those involved did a great job and made sure it was done right.”
At the conclusion of the investigation, a 35-year-old man and 33-year-old woman from Innisfil, along with a 32-year-old Barrie man, collectively face 14 charges that include possession of proceeds obtained by crime with a value in excess of $5,000.
Due to the serious nature of the charges, all three were held in custody for a bail hearing while the four other adults initially arrested were released unconditionally and do not face any criminal charges.
In addition, search warrants were also executed on four vehicles that were suspected to be associated with the investigation.
Seized was 4.5 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $270,000, a quantity of fentanyl, packaging material, scales, a money counter, and a cocaine press.
There was also just over $500,000 in Canadian currency obtained in the busts and three motor vehicles (2018 Mercedes C300, 2013 Mazda 6 and a 2010 Mercedes GLK) were seized, as well.
Project Glaze focused on the illegal sale and distribution of narcotics and concluded with the successful dismantling of a complex network that was responsible for drug-related trafficking in the Barrie and Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Leon said this was “definitely the largest cocaine and money seizure in Barrie police history.”
