Kingston man one of 12 charged in large OPP drug trafficking investigation

A total of 12 residents from across Ontario and Quebec are facing numerous charges as the result of a complex investigation conducted by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

The OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) held a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020 outlining the investigation, Project Daytona, and the large quantities of drugs and money seized as a result. All charges laid through Project Daytona were under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code of Canada, and the Cannabis Act, the OPP explained.

According to the OPP, the OCEB began the nine-month investigation “with the objective to strategically target key facilitators that supply illegal commodities to organized crime and drug distribution networks within our communities. Targets included drug traffickers who were significantly compromising public safety in communities throughout Ontario and into Quebec.” Police said these high-level targets included members linked to Traditional Organized Crime (TOC), Ottawa-based organized crime groups and other previously known organized crime groups, who distributed drugs to mid-level drug dealers and street gangs.

The investigation involved the execution of eight warrants: two warrants were executed on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020 in Stoney Creek and Burlington, and six warrants were executed on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020 in Ottawa, Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, Perth, and Gatineau.

As a result of the investigation, teams involved in Project Daytona seized:

• 8.5 kg of cocaine
• 9 kg of methamphetamine
• 4 kg of ecstasy
• Over 100 pounds of cannabis
• 8.5 kg of cannabis concentrates
• $30,000 in Canadian currency

Additionally, 81 charges were laid against the 12 accused parties, and over 100 officers were involved in the investigation.

“Project Daytona is an intelligence-driven investigation into multiple drug trafficking networks that have had a negative impact on our communities,” said OPP Superintendent Bryan MacKillop, Director of the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau. “Whether directly part of a criminal organization or involved in facilitating their criminality, the people involved in this investigation were influential and compromised public safety.”

The 12 people charged as a result of the investigation, including one man from Kingston, are as follows.

Abdallah Abdelrazzaq, 30, of Gatineau, Que. is charged with:

• Six counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Six counts of trafficking of a Schedule 1 substance (cocaine)

Josh Belfiori, 29, of Carleton Place, Ont. is charged with:

• Two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Two counts of trafficking a Schedule 1 substance (cocaine)

Jamie Crowder, 40, of Smiths Falls, Ont. is charged with:

• Four counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Four counts of trafficking a Schedule 1 substance (cocaine)

Viken Dokmajian, 42, of Ottawa, Ont. is charged with:

• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Trafficking a Schedule 1 substance (cocaine)

Dominic Gravelle, 29, of Stoney Creek, Ont. is charged with:

• Seven counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Three counts of trafficking a Schedule 1 substance (cocaine)
• Three counts of trafficking a Schedule 1 substance (crystal meth)
• Three counts of trafficking a Schedule 1 substance (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine –Ecstasy)
• Sale of cannabis to an individual 18 years or older

Brett Hall, 38, of Smiths Falls, Ont. is charged with:

• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Trafficking a Schedule 1 substance (cocaine)

Trevor Hands, 40, of Perth, Ont. is charged with:

• Three counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Three counts of the sale of cannabis to an individual 18 years or older
• Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm
• Unauthorized possession of a weapon

Stephen Kraus, 51, of Kingston, Ont. is charged with:

• Three counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Three counts of the sale of cannabis to an individual 18 years or older

Mark Miller, 34, of Carleton Place, Ont. is charged with:

• Three counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Three counts of trafficking a Schedule 1 substance (cocaine)

Clarence Mulrooney, 38, of Carleton Place, Ont. is charged with:

• Three counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Four counts of trafficking a Schedule 1 substance (cocaine)
• Three counts of failure to comply with a probation order

Matthew Purcell, 33, of Smiths Falls, Ont. was charged with:

• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Trafficking of a Schedule 1 substance (cocaine)

Robert Vrbanic, 33, of Hamilton, Ont. was charged with:

• Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
• Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking (MDMA)
• Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking (Crystal Meth)

According to the OPP, all of the accused parties were held in custody upon arrest and are expected to appear at an Ontario Court of Justice in various locations on various dates. The investigation remains ongoing.