B.C. man nicknamed 'Trap Maker' one of 20 people arrested in $61M Toronto drug bust
A Surrey, B.C., man dubbed the “Trap Maker” by Toronto police is one of 20 people arrested as part of a $61 million drug seizure.
The suspects are facing 182 charges in total after cocaine, crystal meth and marijuana were seized in what authorities are calling the largest drug seizure in Toronto Police Service history.
“Project Brisa” allegedly found a group of smugglers using trap door compartments in tractor-trailers to move up to 100 kilograms of drugs at a time from Mexico and California into Canada via Ontario border crossings.
Investigators allege the traps were built and installed by a 43-year-old man from Surrey, identified as Jason Hall.
CTV News obtained Hall’s address through court documents and neighbours say there was a large search of the property about two weeks ago.
“It was really early in the morning all of a sudden police had this whole area all shut down and they wouldn’t even let me out of the yard,” said neighbour Robert Nowak. “I figured something serious had happened there, I couldn't believe how many police cars were here.”
Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton with Surrey RCMP said she couldn’t comment on the investigation as it is being conducted by Toronto police, but in an email said: “I can say that Mr. Hall has no previous criminal convictions in B.C. that I am aware of.”
In May, police executed 35 search warrants in Toronto, the Greater Toronto Area, Sarnia, London, Guelph, Kitchener, Montreal, Halifax, Surrey, Calgary and Winnipeg.
They allegedly seized 444 kilograms of cocaine, 157 kilograms of crystal meth, 427 kilograms of marijuana and 300 oxycodone pills.
They also found $966,000 in cash and seized five tractor-trailers and several other vehicles including a Mercedes G-Wagon.
Investigators also seized one Glock handgun. Two other suspects are still wanted.
With files from CP24's Chris Herhalt
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Hailey and Justin Bieber are expecting their first child
Hailey Rhode Bieber, Canadian musician Justin Bieber's wife, announced her pregnancy on social media on Thursday. Hailey posted a series of photos showing her baby bump alongside husband Justin.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street