5 charged as York Regional Police dismantle online dark web mail order drug market
· Toronto Sun
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OTTAWA — Police in York Region have dismantled a high-tech dark web drug syndicate, leaving five suspects behind bars and millions in seized drugs, guns and luxury items including watches and high-end cars.
On Tuesday, police announced the results of Project Ghostwire — a joint operation with Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario (CISO) targeting online vendors using encrypted platforms to operate a mail-order illegal drug business accepting cryptocurrency.
“Investigators identified that drugs were packaged and shipped through legitimate mail-delivery services,” police said in a news release issued Tuesday.
“Officers identified members of the distribution network and identified several addresses connected to the investigation.”
On Feb. 20, a number of search warrants were executed in connection with the investigation, including a luxury penthouse condo in Mississauga allegedly used for the ring’s day-to-day operations.
Speaking at a Tuesday news conference, Det. Sgt. Stephen Beale of YRP’s Guns, Gangs and Drug Enforcement Unit said the investigation began when detectives first took notice of the online distribution system calling itself “Icy White North.”
Drug business operating since 2022
This platform, he said, operated primarily through the dark web — a region of the internet not normally indexed by search engines.
“The digital marketplace appeared to cater exclusively to Canadian customers, and was linked to individuals residing in the GTA,” he said.
“Online sources indicated that Icy White North had accumulated more than 9,000 positive reviews, and had been operating since approximately 2022.”
He said the business amassed millions of dollars in profits over the past four years.
In their raids, investigators seized over 5.5 kg of fentanyl in both pill and powder form, which police say is equal to around 48,000 potentially fatal doses.
Police also confiscated 5.5 kg of methamphetamine, 3.5 kg of cocaine, 4.5 kg of ketamine, 700 g of heroin, 5.4 kg of MDMA, 205 g of crack cocaine, more than 1,100 tabs of LSD, 11,800 illicit Xanax pills, 290 illicit oxycodone pills and 110 hydromorphone pills.
Police say the total estimated street value of the seized drugs is around $3 million.
Five people facing charges
Police also seized a Freedom Ordnance FX-9 carbine rifle and ammunition, around $200,000 in cryptocurrency, $200,000 in Canadian cash and over $1 million in proceeds of crime, including a volcano red McLaren 765LT coupe sports car and a pastel-pink Mercedes-AMG GLE coupe.
Also seized were high-end watches, purses and handbags.
Five people were arrested, facing a total of 81 charges.
They include Cedric Olipano, 38, of Mississauga, Lexia Oliver, 23, of Mississauga, Pui Yan Lai, 42, of Mississauga, Benjamin Cuenta, 34, of Vaughan and Sierra Boudreau, 27, from Brampton.
“We must continue to be nimble and continue to innovate in the way we are investigating these crimes,” York Police Chief Paulo Da Silva said during Tuesday’s news conference.
“While this type of trafficking isn’t new, the avenues in which these criminals are selling and transporting these illicit drugs are constantly changing, but what remains constant is the devastating impact drugs have on our community.”
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