Updated
Canadian police forces working with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency say they have broken up a major international drug organization in an operation they dubbed "Project Scarecrow."
The 18-month investigation culminated Tuesday with the execution of 20 warrants in the
Police officials said a drug bust earlier this month netted more than 25 kilograms of marijuana, several firearms and more than $83,000 in cash. Police said the scope of the investigation was much bigger than they initially anticipated.
"The investigation quickly expanded when a distribution network that imported marijuana into the
In a joint press conference that included members of the DEA, the RCMP, the Ontario Provincial Police, Ottawa and Mohawk police, and the Canadian Border Services Agency, Ottawa police Superintendent Tim Armour told reporters 11 people were arrested in New York on Aug. 18 and face trafficking and conspiracy to import drugs charges.
"During the course of the investigation, five marijuana operations were dismantled resulting in the destruction of just under 3,000 plants," Armour said.
"The combined street values of the plants and packaged marijuana was approximately $3.5 million dollars."
The criminal organization was also found to be importing ecstasy and cocaine into the
"The success of Project Scarecrow has put a sizeable dent at the production and distribution levels of the drug trade in
Police said part of the drug operation went through locations in the Akwesasne Mohawk community, which were "identified as smuggling conduits." The criminal activities of the organization extended all the way to
According to the press release, "The Criminal Organizations were also involved in money laundering operations, in which proceeds were transferred through the