@TorontoPolice News Conference | Drug & Gun Arrests in Project Cerro | Wed., Feb 1st, 2023

On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at 9:45 a.m., in the Media Gallery at Toronto Police Headquarters, Deputy Chief Pauline Gray of Specialized Operations was joined by Superintendent Steve Watts of Organized Crime Enforcement to announce the results of Project Cerro, an investigation into the distribution of large volumes of illicit drugs in the Toronto area.

Project Cerro has resulted in the seizure of almost 390 kilograms of drugs - 364 kilos of crystal methamphetamine, 20 kilos of cocaine, and 3.8 kilos of fentanyl - with a total estimated street value of $32 million. Four firearms were also seized in the investigation, along with seven motor vehicles, and over $500,000 in Canadian currency.

This follows the announcement made in November 2022 about the largest single-day drug seizure in the history of the Toronto Police Service in a related investigation dubbed Project Zafiro, where 671 kilograms of illicit drugs were seized worth almost $60 million. Three people have now been arrested in connection with Project Zafiro, and an additional four in connection with Project Cerro.

Project Cerro:
On Tuesday, January 17, 2023, members of the Toronto Police Service Drug Squad executed a number of search warrants resulting in the arrests of four men in relation to Project Cerro.

Fifteen search warrants were executed, including on seven vehicles. The residences that were searched are located in Toronto. Traps furniture, used to conceal contraband, was located at two of these residences.

The search warrants led to the seizure of:

20 kilograms of cocaine
3.8 kilograms of fentanyl
364 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine
four firearms
over $500,000 in Canadian Currency
seven motor vehicles, including a stolen 2022 Land Rover Range Rover (estimated value $150,000.00)
Total estimated street value of drugs seized: $32,000,000.00

Paul Lelutiu, 35, of Toronto, has been charged with:

nine counts of Possession Schedule I Substance for the Purposes of Trafficking
Conspiracy to Commit and Indictable Offence of Traffic in a Controlled Substance
The accused will appear at Old City Hall court on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, room 103.

Troy Anthony Robinson, 40, of Toronto, has been charged with:

nine counts of Possession Schedule I Substance for the Purposes of Trafficking
Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
Possession of a Firearm knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
Possession of a Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
Careless Storage of a firearm
Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition Contrary to a Prohibition Order
Conspiracy to Commit and Indictable Offence of Traffic in a Controlled Substance
The accused will appear at Old City Hall court on Monday, February 13, 2023, room 114.

Manasinh Jittavong, 39, of Toronto, has been charged with:

nine counts of Possession Schedule I Substance for the Purposes of Trafficking
Conspiracy to Commit and Indictable Offence of Traffic in a Controlled Substance
The accused will appear at Old City Hall court on Thursday, February 2, 2023, room 103.

Soheil Baharloo, 34, of Toronto, has been charged with:

nine counts of Possession Schedule I Substance for the Purposes of Trafficking
Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
Possession of a Firearm knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
Possession of a Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
Careless Storage of a firearm
Conspiracy to Commit and Indictable Offence of Traffic in a Controlled Substance
The accused will appear at Old City Hall court on Thursday, February 2, 2023, room 103.

Project Zafiro

On November 17, 2022, Toronto Police announced the largest single-day drug seizure in the Service's history, this conference can be viewed on YouTube. On October 5, 2022, members of the Toronto Police Drug Squad executed a number of search warrants resulting in the seizure of 520 kilos of crystal methamphetamine and 151 kilos of cocaine in relation to Project Zafiro.

On Tuesday, January 24, 2023, three individuals identified in connection with the trafficking of these drugs turned themselves into the Toronto Police Drug Squad.

Terry Popovich, 46, of Toronto, has been charged with:

Traffic in a Schedule I Substance
three of Possession Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
Conspiracy to Commit and Indictable offence of traffic in a Controlled Substance
Nicole Watts, 36, of Toronto, has been charged with:

two counts of Possession Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
Cindy Macias, 35, of Mississauga, has been charged with:

Possession Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
Conspiracy to Commit and Indictable offence of traffic in a Controlled Substance
The accused parties will appear at Old City Hall court on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, room 103.





Check out our podcast, 24 Shades of Blue with Obie & Ax.

By Constable Alex Li for Superintendent Steven Watts


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