HIGH-RISK DRUG BUST RESULTS IN 70 ARRESTS, DISMANTLING OF SUPPLY CHAIN

OTTAWA (CP) - Police showed off drugs, guns, money and biker gang
paraphernalia Friday after a drug bust that resulted in 70 arrests. Police
were celebrating the apparent dismantling of one of the region's most
prolific supply chains for cocaine and other drugs following Thursday's raid.

"I have been involved as a police officer 20 years with this force and I
believe this was the biggest operation we have ever been involved in," said
Supt. Knowlton Roberts of the Ottawa-Carleton force's criminal
investigation section.

"We were able to work up the chain and we managed to take out some of the
top people, and also move into Hamilton and Montreal," said RCMP Insp.
Garry Clement of the 16-month investigation known as Project CAPE.

Along with illegal drugs and guns, police seized at least one luxury home,
several vehicles, a motorcycle, boats, artwork and household furnishings
under the proceeds of crime legislation, which allows seizure of items
bought with money earned through crime.

Also prominently displayed were clothes and jewelry sporting the symbols of
the Outlaws motorcycle gang. Police believe the Outlaws and other gangs in
the area have ties to the crime ring.

The search and arrest warrants were executed in various Ontario
communities, including Dunrobin, Constance Bay, Carp, Nepean, Centretown
and Navan.

"Very few of these people are not known to police," said Roberts.

"Through the proceeds of crime legislation, we feel our seizures will make
it difficult for these people to re-establish themselves easily."