The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) and Haldimand County OPP has made a large weapons and drug seizure following the conclusion of a lengthy investigation titled Project Catfish.
Police have also made multiple arrests and laid a total of 55 charges in connection with the investigation.
Project Catfish began in May 2024 and was conducted as a partnership by members of the HRPS Burlington Street Crime Unit and the Haldimand County OPP Street Crime Unit. It targeted a drug trafficking network operating in Halton Region and the GTHA.
"The trafficking of illicit substances into our communities is related to the rise in drug poisonings which we know can lead to tragic outcomes. Similarly, trafficking and possessing firearms is a direct threat to public safety,” said Detective Sergeant Derek Moyes of the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau.
"The results of Project Catfish clearly demonstrate our commitment to collaborate with our policing partners and hold those who participate in these criminal acts accountable.”
On Thursday, September 5, 2024, with the assistance of multiple specialty units within the HRPS and OPP and assistance from Emergency Services Units from surrounding police services (Hamilton Police Service, Toronto Police Service, Waterloo Regional Police Service, Niagara Regional Police Service) investigators simultaneously executed nine search warrants.
These warrant locations were residences and vehicles in Burlington, Hamilton, Toronto, Dunnville and Cambridge. A total of 11 people were arrested and charged and the following items were seized:
- 2 loaded Smith and Wesson handguns
- 1 Glock firearm with serial number defaced
- Ammunition and a prohibited drum magazine
- 2 crossbows
- 4 kgs of methamphetamine
- 3 kgs of cocaine
- 115 grams of oxycodone
- 950 grams of fentanyl
- $120,000 in CAN currency
- 2 vehicles
The 11 individuals listed below face a combined 55 charges which include firearm and drug trafficking offences.
Arrested:
Dario Dilber (34) of Dunnville was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl)
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
- Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition
- Possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
- Careless storage of a firearm
- Fail to Comply - Release Order (4 counts)
- Possession of a firearm, ammunition contrary to prohibition order (5 counts)
Julia Dowling (39) of Dunnville was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl)
- Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition
- Possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
- Careless storage of a firearm
- Possession of a firearm, ammunition contrary to prohibition order
Abdalle Farah (31) of Burlington was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Careless use of firearm
- Tampering with serial number
Timothy King (51) of Hannon was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl)
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (methamphetamine)
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (oxycodone)
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a weapon
- Tampering with serial number of firearm or possession of firearm knowing serial number has been altered, defaced or removed
- Possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order (5 counts)
- Carless Use of a firearm, weapon, ammunition
- Unauthorized possession of a weapon
Issa Sufi (28) of Toronto was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl)
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (hydromorphone)
- Fail to Comply - Undertaking
Michael Tesfay (28) of Cambridge was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine) (2 counts)
- Brach of release order (3 counts)
Yahya Yusuf (33) of Burlington was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm
- Careless use of firearm
- Tampering with serial number
Sharmel Facey (19) of Dunnville was released from custody pending a court appearance.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl)
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
Faycal Krazini (23) of Cambridge was released from custody pending a court appearance.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine) (2 counts)
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (oxycodone)
Karel Beleba (45) of Hamilton was released from custody pending a court appearance.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (methamphetamine)
Katherine Hayes (35) of Dunnville was released from custody pending a court appearance.
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
The successful completion of this lengthy investigation was made possible through funding provided by the Ontario Government, Ministry of the Solicitor General in which the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario supported this Joint Forces investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2316
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. "See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers" at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.