Drugs from Mexico focus of joint police investigation

A nine-month investigation involving three alleged local drug rings importing cocaine and methamphetamine from Mexico has netted 12 arrests and 49 charges in Ontario, according to the OPP's Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB).

Called Project Greymouth, the drug investigation alleges cocaine and methamphetamine were being imported directly from Mexico then transferred to local traffickers in several Ontario communities, including Oxford County, Norfolk County, Middlesex County, Waterloo Region and the Toronto area.

The investigation was a co-operative effort involving the OPP, the Canada Border Services Agency and theWaterloo Regional Police Service. Thirteen search warrants were executed this week at a number of locations in the Waterloo area and in Oxford County, Elgin County, Norfolk County, and Toronto.

The map below details how the OPP allege the flow of money and drugs came in and out of southern Ontario.

The OPP say they seized:

• 12 kilograms of cocaine (worth an estimated $1.2-million).
• 3.5 kilograms of methamphetamine (worth an estimated$280,000).
• A stun gun.
• $89,955 in Canadian currency.
• $38,000 in United States currency.
• Four vehicles.

Several of the accused have already appeared in court. One of the accused, 42-year-old Peter Knelson, is believed to be out of the country and is still wanted.