8 Facing Charges in Southern Ontario Fentanyl, Meth Bust

Eight people in Southern Ontario are facing charges following a nearly year-long investigation into the trafficking of fentanyl and methamphetamine across the province.

York Regional Police launched operation Project Endless last December targeting a suspect believed to be engaged in the import and export of  large quantities of controlled substances, police said in a Dec. 22 press release.

The investigation, conducted in collaboration with the Ontario Provincial Police Border Drug Interdiction Task Force and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, identified additional suspects linked to the trafficking of drugs across York region and the remainder of the province, police said.

The region forms the northern boundary of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and includes the cities of Markham, Richmond Hill, and Vaughan, along with the towns of Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, Newmarket, Whitchurch-Stouffville, and the township of King.  

Five search warrants were executed at residences in the GTA on Oct. 25. Police said officers confiscated a “large quantity” of controlled substances including, raw fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) tablets, and illegal cannabis. Officers also seized more than $300,000 in cash, three firearms with ammunition, and two vehicles.

Eight people are facing 34 charges in connection with the investigation.

Hamilton residents Hong Luong Luu, 45, and Thi Thanh Nguyen, 44, are both facing multiple charges. Luu is charged with seven counts of trafficking a controlled substance and one count each of possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution, and counselling offence that is not committed while Nguyen is charged with possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution.

Three Toronto residents have also been charged. Son Tung Nguyen, 40, is facing one charge of trafficking a controlled substance and five counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and Faisal Khalil, 27, is charged with trafficking a controlled substance and possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime.

Ahmad Rustam, 34, is charged with two counts of trafficking a controlled substance, four counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and two counts of possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime.

Also charged are 30-year-old Markham resident Anh Nhat Le with two counts of trafficking a controlled substance and 64-year-old Brampton resident Erskin Springer with possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution.

Completing the list of charges is Josip Trdina, 43, from Georgetown, who is facing allegations of trafficking a controlled substance, possession with intent to traffic, possession of cannabis for distribution purposes, and two counts each of negligent storage of a firearm and negligent storage of ammunition.

Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact the York Regional Police Guns, Gangs and Drug Enforcement Unit or Crime Stoppers.