PEEL STING BUSTS UP DRUG-THEFT NETWORK

Police have smashed a GTA drug ring, confiscating about $500,000 worth of
drugs and heavy construction equipment that was stolen to finance drug habits.

``The network is primarily steal-to-order,'' lead investigator Detective
Gerry Conroy of Peel Region police said yesterday. The ring, which has
connections to Toronto-area organized crime, would steal equipment, each
piece worth $50,000 to $100,000, and try to sell it to known purchasers for
one-tenth of its normal cost.

A two-month police operation called Project Sandstorm was initiated by Peel
police and included 40 officers from Peel, York Region and Toronto, and the
Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit.

Involving illegal drugs, stolen equipment and guns, the bust was ``the most
diverse'' investigation his Peel unit has worked on, Conroy said.

Police confiscated two Case backhoes, a tractor-trailer and Toro
landscaping equipment valued at about $300,000.

About 23 ounces of cocaine and crack cocaine and some marijuana were also
seized, with a street value of about $200,000, police said.

Five handguns and one rifle were confiscated. Each gun is worth $600 to
$1,000, Conroy said.

Eleven suspects, one Colombian and 10 Greater Toronto residents,were
arrested on drug-trafficking charges and held for bail hearings after
search warrants were executed in Brampton and Toronto Thursday.

Three of them also face charges ranging from possession of stolen property
to trafficking in firearms and possession of a restricted weapon.

``Individuals who are stealing the equipment are heroin users or crack
users, and (proceeds are) used to supply their drug habit,'' Conroy said.
``These are drug dealers, drug users. They'll use any means, any avenue to
get their money to get their drug.''

The gang members operated as a unit for at least six months, Conroy said.

A warrant has been issued for one of three suspects still at large.

The investigation is continuing.