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2 Vaughan men among 33 arrests in international drug trafficking investigation (VIDEO)

Project Cheetah investigators seized $2.3 million worth of drugs, 48 firearms and $730,000 in Canadian cash

Two Vaughan men are among 33 arrested following the dismantling of a large-scale international drug trafficking network that extended to Western Canada, the United States and India.

Investigators with the York Regional Police organized crime enforcement bureau, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Peel Regional Police and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration began the investigation, dubbed Project Cheetah in May 2020, into a robust network importing large quantities of cocaine, ketamine, heroin and opium into Canada, according to a York Regional Police news release.

The drugs were distributed across the country through a sophisticated system run by the traffickers, police.

Police in Ontario, British Columbia and California executed more than 50 search warrants on April 8, resulting in 33 people charged with more than 130 criminal offences.

Rupinder Sharma, 25, of Vaughan is charged with possession of a controlled substance – heroin, and possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, and Prabhsimaran Kaur, 25, of Vaughan is charged with possession of a controlled substance – heroin, police say.

Of the additional suspects arrested in Ontario, 19 were from Brampton, four were from Toronto, one was from Woodstock and one was from Caledon.

Officers seized approximately $2.3 million worth of drugs including 10 kilograms of cocaine, eight kilograms of ketamine, three kilograms of heroin and 2.5 kilograms of opium. Investigators also seized 48 firearms and $730,000 in Canadian currency.

“The success of this investigation is a testament to the effective cooperation among multiple agencies across jurisdictions as we pursue the shared objective of public safety,” said Insp. Marwan Zogheib, Officer in Charge, RCMP Toronto West Detachment. “The RCMP’s resources across Canada and overseas and our partnership with York Regional Police provide a multiplier effect to our collective efforts to dismantle such criminal networks.”

“Peel Regional Police were pleased to have joined with York Regional Police and the RCMP on Project Cheetah. This drug trafficking network was active throughout the Greater Toronto Area and negatively impacted our communities,” said Supt. Dermot Coughlan – Intelligence Operations. “By working together with our law enforcement partners, the project was successfully concluded and I want to thank the members from the multiple agencies for helping to make our communities safer.”

Through funding provided by the Ontario Government, the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario supported this joint-forces investigation.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police Organized Crime and Intelligence Services at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7818, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips, leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.