17 people charged, over $5M worth of drugs seized in organized crime sting: police

A two-year long organized crime sting led by Hamilton police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has yielded 17 arrests and more than $5 million in drugs seized.

Hamilton police said the service formed Project Skyfall with the RCMP in September 2019 to target a "highly sophisticated drug trafficking syndicate involving organized crime groups" in the city.

The two services teamed up with Halton police and the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario to execute 150 warrants.

Hamilton police said the joint-force operation ended in January 2022 and found a total of $5,518,000 worth of drugs including:

Police said they also seized 13 handguns, a rifle, a Taser and five silencers. They also reportedly uncovered $765,602 in cash.

Hamilton police Insp. Mark Stiller said the drugs have a "significant impact on Hamilton's streets and are associated with an increase in violence and the rise in opioid deaths."

Last year, the city saw 19 homicides — a record high.

Police said they laid 145 criminal charges through Project Skyfall.

Of the 17 people charged, 12 are from Hamilton, two are from Grimsby, one is from Beamsville, one is from Burlington and and one is from North York

"Organized crime groups exploit profit opportunities wherever they arise. They do not care what city or town their criminal activities take them to," said Halton police Insp. Dave Costantini.

"Those involved in these groups are only concerned about making money. They do not care about the safety, security or well-being of any member of any community."