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Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC assists Ontario’s Asian Organized Crime Task Force with cross-Canada drug and money laundering investigation

Several people are in jail and a significant quantity of marijuana has been taken off the streets in Ontario and B.C. after Project Lie See concluded early yesterday morning following the execution of a number of search and arrest warrants in both provinces.

The seven-month investigation, led by the Asian Organized Crime Task Force (AOCTF) with assistance from the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC), focused on cross-Canada drug trafficking and money laundering in Ontario and B.C.

During the investigation, several people were identified as part of this alleged criminal activity. Yesterday morning, three search warrants were executed in Richmond, New Westminster and Burnaby by CFSEU-BC, with another eight warrants executed at the same time throughout the Greater Toronto Area by the AOCTF.

A 26-year-old man was arrested at a Richmond residence and a 29-year-old man was arrested at a New Westminster residence. Several people were arrested in the Greater Toronto Area. The two men arrested in this province have been remanded into custody and will be transported back to Ontario where they will face charges.

Police have seized hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, over 600 pounds of marijuana, as well as offence-related property such as eight vehicles that will now be the subject of proceeds of crime legislation.

“Organized crime continues to spread its reach across Canada and the success of Project Lie See reaffirms that the intelligence sharing and cooperation between law enforcement throughout the country is unparalleled,” says CFSEU-BC spokesperson Sergeant Lindsey Houghton. “As criminals do business across Canada, so will we and it is essential that we continue to participate in coordinated investigations to make our country safer.”

British Columbia Seizures

• $120,000 cash
• 565 lbs marijuana (street value of over $1,000,000)

Ontario Seizures

• please see AOCTF media release for details on their seizures
• approximately $540,000 cash
• approximately 100 lbs marijuana (street value of approximately $250,000)

Click here to read the Toronto Police Service News Release – Project Lie-See

All media inquiries regarding the investigation can be directed to Constable Wendy Drummond, Toronto Police Service Media Relations Officer, at either 1-416-808-7090 or [email protected].

CFSEU-BC Media Spokesperson:
Sgt. Lindsey Houghton
Desk: (604) 777-7987
Cell: (604) 764-9085

CFSEU-BC Media Liaison:
Maureen Gulyas
Desk: (604) 777-7971
Cell: (604) 616-7797