While the investigation into drugs and weapons continues following raids in several communities across southern Ontario last week, including Barrie, provincial police have confirmed to BarrieToday that an explosives disposal unit was on scene at a Dunsmore Lane address.
During a news conference Thursday, Ontario Provincial Police officials said 11 search warrants were executed on Tuesday, March 9 in seven jurisdictions across the province.
There were 350 officers across southwestern Ontario involved in the arrest of 10 people who have been charged with a combined 268 offences. Although there was a heavy police presence on Dunsmore Lane, near Johnson Street and Georgian Drive, no Barrie residents are listed among the suspects who have been charged.
During the province-wide probe, a bounty of drugs and weapons, including explosive devices, were seized following the eight-month investigation.
OPP Det. Staff Sgt. Scott Wade said he couldn’t elaborate on the specifics regarding the March 9 police presence at 6 Dunsmore Lane because the investigation is ongoing, but he did confirm what type of police resources were used there.
“We did have assistance from (the) Barrie tactical (unit) as well as their explosive disposal unit, as well as our OPP (investigators),” Wade told BarrieToday. “We are still sorting through all our evidence and more information will be coming.”
Wade was unable to provide a timeline for when they could happen.
The officer also said there could be more charges announced in relation to the raids, including the Barrie site, but nothing is certain until the evidence is collected, he said.
Barrie Police Chief Kimberley Greenwood released a statement regarding the local raid and highlighted the co-operation between police services.
“The Barrie police tactical support unit was called on to execute the safe entry of a residence on Dunsmore Lane in the city of Barrie," she said. "The collaborative focus on public safety is something that law enforcement encompasses in Ontario every day.
“We know organized crime has no boundaries and police services frequently work together to provide necessary resources to ensure community safety," Greenwood added. "I commend the OPP and everyone involved in this investigation and know that collectively we contribute to making Ontario and Barrie a safer place for everyone."
Of the 10 people charged so far in Project Weaver, three were held in custody while the remainder were released with conditions. They are expected to appear at an Ontario Court of Justice in London on March 19. The people who have been charged are from London (3), St. Thomas (2), Brantford (2), Oakland (near Windsor), Paris, and Strathroy.
At today’s press conference, Wade said four alleged criminal networks were identified through the investigation, including the Outlaws Motorcycle Club in the London area and three independent networks in the London, Brantford and Hamilton areas.
“We wanted to clarify that this was not four groups working together,” said Wade. “These were four independent criminal networks that we were investigating. That doesn’t say that they weren’t involved or aware of each other, but the way we investigated it they were four separate criminal networks.”
The March 9 raids included members from OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), Biker Enforcement Unit (BEU), Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU), Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit (PWEU), Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit (PAFU), Community Street Crime Units (CSCU), Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET), and Aviation.
Specialty units from Hamilton Police Service, Brantford Police Service, London Police Service, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Barrie Police Service, Stratford Police Service and St. Thomas Police Service also assisted with the execution of the search warrants.
As a result of this investigation, police seized:
- 31 firearms
- 81 grenades
- Two grenade launchers
- 22 other prohibited devices
- Three explosive projectiles
- 10.85 kilograms of cocaine
- 216 pounds of illegal cannabis
- Five pounds of hash
- More than $10,000 in other illegal cannabis products
- 36 pounds of psilocybin
- 715 grams of MDMA
- One Outlaws MC vest
- $127,757 in Canadian currency
- $2,106 in US currency
- Eight vehicles
At this time, the origin of all 31 firearms is not known, however some originated domestically in Canada, and some have an origin in the United States. This portion of the investigation is still underway.
The investigative team has been engaged with CFNIS to determine the source of the explosives and offensive weapons. It has been determined that these are not Canadian military explosives and investigators are confident they have identified the source.
