Royal Canadian Mounted Police charge six after $4.4 million seizure

The royal canadian mounted police announced Tuesday that six people from Ontario and Quebec are facing charges after an 18-month investigation tied to a large-scale money laundering and drug trafficking operation in the Hamilton-Niagara area. Investigators said the case led to seizures worth more than $4.4 million.

Hamilton-Niagara investigation

Insp. Lucio De Simone said, "Organized crime investigations of this scale require time, persistence, and strong partnerships. Over the past 18 months, RCMP investigators have worked diligently alongside our law‑enforcement partners to dismantle a complex drug‑trafficking operation," the inspector said in a statement. He also said, "This investigation sends a clear message that those who profit from illicit drugs will be identified and held accountable."

The investigation focused on the Hamilton-Niagara area, and police said more than 30 search warrants were executed at multiple locations during the probe. That work produced seizures of 153 kilograms of cocaine, 10 kilograms of heroin and half a kilogram of ketamine, along with nearly $1.6 million in bulk Canadian cash, one prohibited firearm and one vehicle.

Charges and one outstanding suspect

The six people facing charges came from Ontario and Quebec. Police said the arrests include multiple charges, among them possession for the purpose of trafficking a Schedule I substance.

One individual remains outstanding, and police have issued an arrest warrant for drug-related charges. For anyone tied to the operation, the case now moves from a long investigation into the charging process, with one suspect still being sought while the others face court action.