LARGEST ECSTASY SEIZURE WORTH $50M

Two Markham men face charges after more than 200 kilograms of ecstasy were
found in a Markham house and a Scarborough storage facility Sept. 3.

Street value of the drugs is pegged at between $50 million and $60 million.

"This is probably the largest seizure made of ecstasy that we know of in
this country," Toronto police Chief Julian Fantino said at a news
conference Wednesday.

The arrests were made when a Toronto police officer stopped a minivan for
an expired validation sticker early Friday on Sheppard Avenue east of
McCowan Road.

During the investigation, the police officer spotted a small plastic bag
filled with a white substance.

The two occupants, both Markham residents, were arrested.

Chief Fantino said further investigation led to the seizure of liquid and
powered ecstasy in the home and storage facility.

Drug squad officers in Toronto and York Region also found $6,000 in U.S.
and Canadian currency and heroin worth $53,000.

Police seized chemicals that could be used to produce more ecstasy worth
tens of millions of dollars, Chief Fantino said.

The accused, 25 and 26, are facing drug possession and trafficking charges.