A heavy police presence last week in Barrie’s east end had connections to outlaw bikers and was part of a large-scale investigation involving weapons — including grenade launchers — and drugs, according to Ontario Provincial Police.
The OPP's Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau held a news conference today to outline the results of a complex, eight-month investigation that culminated March 9 with raids in Barrie, London, Brantford, Ancaster and Brant County.
Dubbed Project Weaver, the investigation saw the seizure of a large amount of weapons and drugs from areas throughout southwestern Ontario, including a home in Barrie.
An east-end home was part of a provincial blitz on the morning of Tuesday, March 9 that saw police descend on 6 Dunsmore Lane, located near Johnson Street and Georgian Drive in the Georgian College area. Barrie police assisted the OPP in the investigation.
During Thursday’s online news conference, OPP Det. Staff Sgt. Scott Wade, operations manager with the Biker Enforcement Unit (BEU), said the investigative team collaborated with the Canadian Forces National Investigative Service to determine the alleged source of the explosives and weapons.
“We have determined that these are not Canadian military explosives, but were made to look like military-grade equipment,” said Wade. “We are confident that the source has been identified and we want to assure the public there is no threat to your safety.
Wade said it was determined the weapons came domestically within Canada, but also from the United States.
Project Weaver began in September 2020 after intelligence gathering indicated significant firearm and drug-trafficking activity in southwestern Ontario, particularly Brantford and London, police say.
Four criminal networks were identified in the bust, according to police, including the Outlaws Motorcycle Club in the London area and three independent criminal networks in the London, Brantford and Hamilton areas.
Among the items allegedly being trafficked were grenades, grenade launchers and explosive projectiles, as well as large amounts of cocaine, police say.
“We know there was a heavy police presence for several days at a residence in Barrie, which may have left the community curious,” said Wade. “We want to assure (people) that our investigators took all necessary precautions and deemed there was no threat to public safety at the time. And there remains no threat to public safety.”
That same day, search warrants were also executed in London, Brantford, Hamilton, Ancaster, Paris, St. Thomas and Oakland, which is located in the Windsor area.
Ten people have been charged with 268 offences. Upon arrest, three of the accused were held in custody. The remainder were released with conditions. They are expected to appear at an Ontario Court of Justice in London on March 19, 2021.
The suspects who have been charged hail from Brantford, Ancaster, London, St. Thomas, and Paris, Ont. None of the people arrested are listed as being from Barrie.
Project Weaver At A Glance
Seized:
31 firearms
81 grenades
Two grenade launchers
Three explosive projectiles
10.85 kilograms of cocaine
215 pounds of illegal cannabis
Five pounds of hash
36 pounds of psilocybin (magic mushrooms)
715 grams of MDMA (ecstasy/molly)
$127,757 in Canadian currency
Eight vehicles
One Outlaws MC vest
