Bricks of cocaine are displayed at an OPP news conference. August 28, 2017. Photo provided by OPP.Bricks of cocaine are displayed at an OPP news conference. August 28, 2017. Photo provided by OPP.
Sarnia

Biggest Cocaine Bust In OPP History

Provincial police say they have seized over 1,000 kg of cocaine in what's being billed as the largest bust in OPP history.

Police released details of the seizure and an investigation called Project Hope at a Monday morning news conference in Orillia. They put on display the 1,062 kg of pure cocaine, which they estimated has a street value of about $250-million.

"The OPP recognize that illegal drugs cause grievous harm and threaten community safety," said OPP Commissioner J.V.N. (Vince) Hawkes. "With the amount of pure cocaine seized during Project HOPE, we've stopped many criminals from causing more harm to our communities while removing a quarter of a billion dollars from the criminal economy."

Three men face charges. They are accused of importing the cocaine into Canada from Argentina. It's alleged they brought the cocaine into Montreal in shipping containers. It was then sent to Ontario.

"Over the course of several months, the OPP worked with CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) to identify the containers and locations. Subsequent investigation identified links to various caches of cocaine at a CBSA warehouse, at the Port of Montreal and in Stoney Creek, Ontario," police said in a statement.

The accused, three men from the Toronto area, face charged of imporation and possession of cocaine. Two have been released on bail. The third has a bail hearing scheduled for Wednesday.

OPP alleged cocaine was hidden inside stones and imported into Canada. Photo provided by OPP. OPP alleged cocaine was hidden inside stones and imported into Canada. Photo provided by OPP.

Bricks of cocaine are displayed at an OPP news conference. August 28, 2017. Photo provided by OPP.Bricks of cocaine are displayed at an OPP news conference. August 28, 2017. Photo provided by OPP.

Bricks of cocaine are displayed at an OPP news conference. August 28, 2017. Photo provided by OPP.Bricks of cocaine are displayed at an OPP news conference. August 28, 2017. Photo provided by OPP.

Bricks of cocaine are displayed at an OPP news conference. August 28, 2017. Photo provided by OPP.Bricks of cocaine are displayed at an OPP news conference. August 28, 2017. Photo provided by OPP.

OPP say cocaine was shipped from Argentina to Montreal, then to Ontario. Map provided by OPP. OPP say cocaine was shipped from Argentina to Montreal, then to Ontario. Map provided by OPP.

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