“While we have had large seizures in the past, they have occurred in several months. “The drugs before me were taken by one person in one day,” said Staff Supt. said Lauren Pogue at a news conference Thursday morning.
In front of her, investigators found 189 kilograms of cocaine powder and 97 kilograms of crystalline methamphetamine, which police believe is worth $ 28 million.
According to Pogue, members of the Toronto Police Drug Team conducted a search near Yonge and The Esplanade on April 2. A 29-year-old suspect, who was in possession of 50 kilos of cocaine powder, stopped in an underground parking lot and was taken into custody.
After securing a warrant, investigators investigated an apartment unit associated with the suspect, which they believe is a hidden home. There they found the rest of the cocaine and the crystalline methamphetamine.
“We believe the hideout was used to house these drugs and distribute them to our local neighborhoods and surrounding communities,” said Inspector Mandeep Mann.
Excellent research work by the men and women of @TorontoPolice Drug Squad. This is the largest one-day drug seizure by our members. More than 280 kilograms of cocaine and crystalline methamphetamine, worth at least $ 28 million, were taken off our roads. pic.twitter.com/zOmqdaC0Pw
– Leader James Ramer (@jamesramertps) April 14, 2022
Above the hideout, police seized $ 50,000 at the suspect’s home and discovered a professionally made “trap” in his car, which they say was probably used to transport large quantities of drugs and firearms.
“The reason we are appealing to the community is to help us identify this network (the suspect) he was working with because we do not believe he was working alone. “But at this point, we have no evidence that anyone else is involved.”
The suspect, who police have identified as Devante Moores, faces two counts of possession of cocaine for trafficking and one count of possession of methamphetamine for trafficking purposes. The charges have not been proven in court.
Investigators are seeking public assistance in locating other members of this drug network and are asking anyone with information to contact the Drug Team or Crime Stoppers.
