A nearly year-long police investigation has led to the arrest of 32 people and the laying of 158 criminal charges against members of a Toronto street gang accused of using the Canada Post system to ship drugs across the country.
Toronto police announced the results of the investigation, known as Project Foxxx, at a news conference on Thursday. The probe focused on the Jamestown Crips, a gang with deep roots in the Rexdale area of Etobicoke but, according to investigators, a reach that now stretches far beyond Toronto.
Police say the group allegedly disguised illegal drugs as everyday parcels and sent them through the mail to other provinces, including Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador.
“This shows that Toronto gangs are no longer confined to one neighbourhood or even one city,” said Insp. Paul Krawczyk. “Their operations are crossing provincial borders, spreading drugs, violence and fear into communities across Canada.”
As part of the investigation, officers carried out 35 search warrants in several Ontario cities including Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Vaughan, Hamilton and Guelph as well as in Thompson, Manitoba.
Those searches resulted in the seizure of nine firearms, large quantities of drugs and significant cash. Police say they recovered 4.7 kilograms of cocaine, valued at about $568,000, six kilograms of methamphetamine worth roughly $480,000, and more than $320,000 believed to be proceeds of crime.
Investigators say the gang attempted to blend in by making drug shipments look like ordinary mail.
“They were trying to hide in plain sight,” Krawczyk said. “With so many packages moving through Canada Post every day, they believed they could avoid detection. But our investigation uncovered what was happening.”
Police worked with Canada Post to intercept some of the packages before they reached their final destinations.
Krawczyk said the Jamestown Crips were a key focus because of their long history in Rexdale, an area that has seen high levels of violent crime over the years, including shootings, robberies and carjackings.
“Gangs show a complete disregard for the safety of the public,” he said. “Their actions put innocent lives at risk and damage entire communities.”
The investigation was carried out in partnership with York Regional Police, Peel Regional Police Service, and the Ontario Provincial Police.
Police say the 158 charges include drug trafficking, firearms offences, possession of prohibited devices, possession of proceeds of crime, conspiracy, and participation in the activities of a criminal organization, among others. The accused range in age from 16 to 40.
While acknowledging that the gang itself has not been eliminated, Krawczyk said the operation has dealt a significant blow.
“Our goal is disruption,” he said. “Taking nine guns off the street matters. Even a single gun can be used in multiple shootings and take innocent lives.”
Police say details of the accused and the charges have been released publicly as the cases move through the courts.
