Organized crime unit charges 16 in drug bust

Joint police investigation targeted network of GTA groups exporting, importing narcotics

Adozen men and four women have been charged with 74 offences after police say they busted a network of GTA organized crime groups for exporting and importing narcotics.

The arrests were announced late Wednesday by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU), a group of police specializing in organized crime. The operation — dubbed Project Oswordtail — focused on the importation, exportation and distribution of cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, opium and ketamine in the GTA.

Investigators said they seized more than 35 kilograms of cocaine; five kg of fentanyl, heroin, opium; 30 kg of an unidentified white powder; more than $200,000 in cash; 275 cartons of illegal cigarettes and three vehicles modified with hidden compartments for smuggling drugs.

Phung David Nguyen, 33, and Cuy Ceen, 47, Anh Le, 33, Singh Ngo, 60, and Thi Anh Nguyen, 59, all of Toronto, are all charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

John Palumbo, 61, of Vaughan, is charged with possession and trafficking of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and attempted trafficking of Percocet pills.

Ravi Shanker, 58, of Brampton, is charged with possession and trafficking of cocaine, and possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000.

Sukhsimrat Pawar, 39, of Brampton, is charged with possession of cocaine and opium for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000.

Harvinder Singh, 42, is charged with trafficking cocaine while Satinderjit Singh Khaira, 48, also of Cambridge, is charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine.

Brian Brum, 40, of Georgetown, is charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine and possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000.

Steven Uth, 32, and Hua Thao Tran, 27, both of Bradford, are charged with possession of fentanyl and ketamine for the purpose of trafficking.

Hieu Thien Cao, 38, of Guelph, is charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine and possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000 while Thi Queyen Vu, 35, also of Guelph, is charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Kristoffer Risley, 42, of Richmond Hill, is charged with breach of recognizance. The CFSEU focuses on organized crime and includes the RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police, York Regional Police, Toronto Police Service, Peel Regional Police, Durham Regional Police Service, Halton Regional Police Service and the Canada Border Services Agency.