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Seven Halton residents among 15 people charged by Tim Whitnell Metroland West Media 5 | Thursday, November 27, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Seven Halton residents are among a group of people arrested in an alleged cocaine and marijuana trafficking operation police say moved a lot of drugs around, and outside, this region. Halton Regional Police held a press conference Tuesday to showcase a cache of drugs, money and guns it confiscated in taking down what it termed a sophisticated drugrunning business in Halton and throughout the GTA. The eight-month investigation came to a head Monday when Halton police, assisted by officers from Waterloo, Peel, Niagara, Hamilton and Durham, did searches of 15 locations in Halton, Hamilton and Toronto. One hundred and forty officers were involved in the arrest of 15 people and the seizure 105 pounds of marijuana, 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of cannabis resin, two semi automatic handguns (one loaded) plus ammunition, a Taser, $155,000 in cash and four vehicles as offence-related property. The street value of the marijuana is estimated to be $200,000 with the cocaine's estimated value at $80,000. The takedown of suspects went smoothly, said Halton Det. Paul Foley of the Integrated Drug, Gun and Gang Unit. Halton Regional Police and five other GTA police departments made a seizure of drugs, cash and weapons in a co-ordinated sweep at 15 locations on Nov. 24. Here, Integrated Drug, Gun & Gang Unit officers with Halton police, from left, Det,-Sgt. Brad Murray, Det. Paul Foley, and Det.-Const. Ron Wright, display some of the confiscated drugs, money and weapons. | photo by Eric Riehl ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) He said a tip from a member of the public in early 2014 put investigators on the trail of alleged drug runners. This is the second big drug bust by Halton police in the last five months. In late June, a Milton man and a Mississauga man were charged with drug trafficking when police conducted searches in the Halton and Peel regions and seized 150 lbs., of marijuana, 1.2 lbs. of cannabis resin (hashish), two vehicles, $55,000 in cash and three prohibited weapons (a shuriken, a butterfly knife and brass knuckles). Halton Police Chief Stephen Tanner described the recent drug operation investigation as one into the supply of large amounts of cocaine and marijuana throughout Halton and the GTA. "The war against drugs is ongoing and does not have any borders. It's important we continue to put a spotlight on drug issues...," he added. Police say a suspect was estimated to move, for selling, one kilogram of cocaine and 60 pounds of marijuana every two weeks. The pot is believed to have been brought in from western Canada; police say they don't know the point of origin of the cocaine. Det.-Sgt. Brad Murray, head of Halton's Integrated Drug, Gun and Gang Unit, noted the cocaine is higher quality than they are used to seeing. Drugs were coming in from Toronto, but what was unique is that they were alleged Halton drug traffickers, according to Murray. While police don't believe there was one ringleader, that it was more like a closely affiliated group, Murray called the operation "very sophisticated." see Investigation on p.14 Pool table clearance sale!!! hardwood tables DAILY SPECIALS Monday to Friday Half price appetizers after 8pm Monday to Friday between 2pm-5pm All domestic bottles $3.50 Budweiser, Canadian, Coors Light, Canadian 67, Export All domestic pints $4.00 Budweiser, Canadian, Coors Light All well brand liquor $4.00 4' X 8' HARDWOOD SLATE POOL TABLE Reg. $2999 Floor Model $ JOIN US PLEASE Smirnoff Vodka, Captain Morgan White, Seagram's VO, Gordon's Gin, Tequila Gold, J & B Rare MONDAY All day Half price wings dine in only *FLOOR MODELS *ScRATcH & DENTS *ONE OF A KIND* All priced to cleAr BARS 1499 GRAND OPENING EVENT! 379 Speers Road, Oakville FOR OUR TUESDAY Tall boy Tuesdays ­ Budweiser, Canadian, Coors Light $4.00 WEDNESDAY Home burger and fries and a domestic Pint $14.00 (Budweiser, Canadian, Coors Light) THURSDAY Pick any 2 apps and 2, 6oz glasses of house red or white wine for $20.00 905-338-5458 FRIDAY Choose any 9 oz glass of wine for $7.50. BAR STOOLS PUB TABLE POkER TABLES Text Drafted to 76000 to join our Mobile VIP Club SATURDAY $5.00 Margaritas, daquiris and bottles of Corona and Dos Equis Pools | Spas | Billiards 504 IROQUOIS SHORE RD. UNIT #1, OAKVILLE FREE APPETIZER SUNDAY All day Domestic Pitcher and Cheese Nachos (Budweiser, Canadian, Coors Light) $20.00 When you spend $25 or more. Excluding alcohol and taxes www.leisureindustries.ca 905.815.5252 *Limited Time Offer. No Dealers Please. Quantities Limited. Not Applicable On Prior Sales Orders. Restrictions Apply, Check in store for details. Product may not be exactly as shown.