Investigators take down a cocaine-dealing operation, seizing guns, drugs and cash
When investigators saw guns flying out the second-storey window, they knew they had come to the right place.
“That’s definitely not something we see every day,” said Detective Constable David Strome, whose sharp eye led investigators to a successful firearm and drug bust.
Back in May 2018, Detective Constable Strome and fellow officers from the #4 District Criminal Investigations Bureau were in the area of Woodstream Boulevard and Highway 7 in Vaughan for an unrelated investigation.
He noticed what appeared to be a drug deal taking place and followed the suspect to an industrial unit in the area, where another suspected drug transaction occurred.
“Detective Constable Strome did a great job of not having tunnel vision. He made a heads-up observation, which ultimately led to a successful investigation,” said Detective Dan Moore, who was the officer in charge.
The team learned that the suspect and numerous associates who frequented the industrial unit were linked to other drug-related offences. After a month of evidence gathering, the team secured a search warrant for the industrial unit, which was executed on June 15 with the assistance of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU).
“We thought there could be multiple suspects in the unit, but we had no idea that we’d be arresting 17 people that day,” said Detective Constable Strome. “We ended up filling the cells at four districts.”
When the suspects saw officers approaching the industrial unit, they tossed several handguns out the second-storey window. The arrests were made and the property was cleared safely and efficiently, thanks to the collaboration between investigators, ERU and frontline officers, who helped with prisoner transport.
An additional 10 search warrants were executed on vehicles with the assistance of the Integrated Property Crime Task Force. In total, this investigation led to 17 arrests, 130 charges and the seizure of five firearms, $16,000 in cash and $12,570 in illegal drugs, including cocaine, cannabis, fentanyl and oxycodone.
“It was great teamwork that made this operation a success,” said Detective Moore. “By taking drugs and guns off the street, we’re making our community safer for every resident."
Read the rest of the 2018 Annual Report
Want to know how else York Regional Police made a difference in its community last year? Read our 2018 Annual Report.
