Police cracking down on drug dealers

_ (press release) _ (Ottawa) -In response to numerous community complaints, the Ottawa Police Service Street Crime Unit (SCU) commenced a Community Safety Project in May 2016, called “Project Shredder”, to identify and arrest individuals involved in street-level drug trafficking in downtown neighbourhoods.

During the month-long investigation, 31 drug traffickers were identified operating in the ByWard Market, Lowertown, Sandy Hill and along Rideau Street. A number of those traffickers were arrested throughout the course of the project.

On Wednesday June 8, 2016 Central District Neighbourhood officers and Demo/ Beats Squad conducted additional coordinated arrests. To this date, 19 arrests have been made and warrants will be obtained for the arrests of the remaining 12 individuals.

Drugs seized include cocaine, crack cocaine, Fentanyl, heroin, marijuana, crystal meth and speed with a street value of $31,400.

31 people were charged with 123 criminal offences:

  • 40 counts: Drug trafficking
  • 14 counts: Possession for the purpose of trafficking
  • 42 counts: Possession of proceeds obtained by crime
  • 27 counts: Breach of release conditions

If you have information about street-level drug trafficking in your neighbourhood, please contact police. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or by downloading the Ottawa Police app.