Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect that charges against one person have been stayed.
A 33-year-old man from Oakville has been arrested and charged along with nine other suspects following a significant drug seizure that saw over $2 million in drugs seized.
Investigators from the Peel Regional Police Specialized Enforcement Bureau, in partnership with the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario, Ontario Provincial Police, York Regional Police, Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS), Toronto Police Service, Canada Border Services Agency, and FINTRAC, have arrested and charged 10 suspects with numerous criminal offences and seized a large amount of Canadian currency, drugs, and a firearm.
The investigation, named Project Vegas, investigated a criminal network involved in trafficking illegal drugs internationally.
Investigation revealed that illegal drugs were being exported from Middle Eastern countries into other countries, including Canada, using various concealment methods. The drugs were then distributed throughout the GTA and into Manitoba and British Columbia.
On March 1, 2024, investigators executed eleven search warrants in the greater Toronto area (GTA), resulting in the arrest and charging of the following individuals:
Ahmed Zubiar Abedi, a 33-year-old man from Oakville, is charged with:
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence,
- Trafficking in a Controlled Substance
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking a Controlled Substance
Ahmed Morid Abedi, a 40-year-old man from Woodbridge, is charged with:
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (x4)
- Importing a Controlled Substance (x2)
- Exporting a Controlled Substance (x2)
- Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (x5)
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking a Controlled Substance (x3)
Abdul Farqeerzada, a 34-year-old man from Georgetown, is charged with:
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
- Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (x2)
Zabiullah Amin, a 56-year-old man from Melancthon, is charged with:
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (x2)
- Trafficking in a Controlled Substance
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking a Controlled Substance
Zulgai Samadi, a 37-year-old man from Toronto, is charged with:
- Conspiracy to Commit and Indictable Offence (x2)
Aryan Haydari, a 38-year-old man from Barrie, is charged with:
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking a Controlled Substance
Ahmed Tariq Abedi, a 50-year-old man from Woodbridge, is charged with:
- Conspiracy to Commit and Indictable Offence
- Exporting a Controlled Substance (x2)
- Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (x2)
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking a Controlled Substance
Balraj Brar, a 39-year-old man from Mono, is charged with
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
All of the above individuals were held for bail hearings.
A 30-year-old woman from Bradford is charged with:
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (*charges have since been stayed*)
Fariba Ahmadi, a 53-year-old woman from Bradford, is charged with:
- Breach of Trust
These individuals were released with conditions and will appear in court at a later date.
Investigators seized the following:
- 89.6 kilograms of opium
- 13 kilograms of methamphetamine
- 1 Smith and Wesson .40 calibre firearm
- Approximately $310,000 in bulk currency
Police say the total street value of the drugs that were seized is approximately $2,066,000.00
According to a news release from Peel Police, "The successful completion of this lengthy investigation was made possible through funding provided by the Ontario Government, in which the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario supported this Joint Forces investigation. Peel Regional Police acknowledges the numerous partner agencies contributing to this successful investigation."
Anyone with further information on this investigation is asked to contact investigators with the Specialized Enforcement Bureau at 905-453-2121 extension 3515. Anonymous information may also be submitted by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting peelcrimestoppers.ca.