‘Project Martini’ drug and human trafficking investigation leads to charges for 92 in Ajax, Clarington, Oshawa and Whitby

A recent five-week drug and human trafficking investigation dubbed “Project Martini” has resulted in more than 110 charges filed against 92 suspects.

Durham Regional Police received numerous concerns about drug and human trafficking from business owners in several hot spots in the region. These concerns primarily centred around Oshawa, but also involved locations in Ajax, Clarington and Whitby.

The project used drug overdose data to target the hot spots and “to drive enforcement and direct support efforts to the areas that would have the greatest impact on community and victim safety,” police described.

The Divisional Community Response Teams with support from the Drug Enforcement Unit and Human Trafficking Unit launched the investigation in early May.

Since then, they have raided 11 homes and arrested 92 suspects on 113 total criminal charges including drug trafficking, property crime, violent crime and obtaining sexual services. Police did not provide the names of the suspects. Another 62 people were sent to drug treatment facilities and 38 went into support programs for sex workers.

Police say they discovered three kilograms of methamphetamine, more than one kilogram of cocaine, close to one kilogram of fentanyl and $30,000 in cash during the project. The estimated street value of the drugs is more than $600,000.

Anyone with information can call police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1747 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).