Police Charge 36 People after Massive Gang Takedown in “Project Blackhawk”

Undercover police work was a key element leading to this week’s arrest of 36 people on 443 drug and gun-related charges, police said on Friday. Police from jurisdictions across Ontario spent two years investigating the alleged guns-for-drugs operation, in which police say guns and cocaine were brought to Canada in exchange for ecstasy, methamphetamine and illicit Viagra. Allegedly coming from labs in Ontario, the drugs reportedly made their way to the streets of major American cities. Earlier this year, investigators working on this case, dubbed “Project Blackhawk,” uncovered what they believe might be the largest ecstasy and methamphetamine manufacturing facility ever found in Ontario. The guns brought to Canada have been traced back to a former gun shop owner in Chicago, who is also now under arrest. It is believed many of the firearms are from his personal collection. Police seized 59 kilograms of methamphetamines, 400000 ecstasy tablets, three kilograms of cocaine and 60 kilograms of marijuana. The ecstasy was found to have been laced with methamphetamine, increasing the chance of addiction for its users. Police also found cash, 83 firearms — including 48 handguns — and 50000 illegally manufactured Viagra pills. Authorities say they launched the investigation in 2006 after US authorities tipped them off that 237 handguns had been smuggled into Canada from the US
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