HALIBURTON, ON-Several residents of Haliburton Highlands are facing numerous charges after a drug bust.
The OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau and Central Region Community Street Crime Units began Project IMPERIAL, a nine-month investigation, with the objective of targeting individuals responsible for trafficking cocaine into the Haliburton area from the GTA.
This investigation led police to identify a significant property crime network that was directly linked to the accused.
Police recovered stolen property that had been taken from both residential and commercial properties in Haliburton County.
On Thursday, police executed six warrants in the Haliburton Highlands area, Oshawa and Scarborough.
Police seized 400 grams of cocaine/crack cocaine, 2 grams of Fentanyl, 9 long guns, 2 black powder revolver firearms, 1 revolver firearm, 1 replica handgun and more than $12,000 in Canadian currency.
Police were able to recover stolen property, including generators, power tools and solar panels.
16 people have been charged with 82 offences. Several 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 is ongoing.