Project Vegas schools alleged dealers that house always wins

Article content

These alleged gamblers may have thought they hit the jackpot, but now find themselves in one. 

Article content

This is a Vegas story where the alleged dealers may have been flush with cash at first but ended up busted in the end. Alleged drug dealers, that is. 

Article content

Project Vegas resulted in multiple charges against 10 GTA residents in an alleged drug-dealing enterprise, with police saying officers seized more than $2 million in illegal drugs, cash and a firearm. 

“Project Vegas concentrated on a criminal network responsible for the international importation and distribution of illegal narcotics,” Peel Regional Police Const. Tyler Bell-Morena said Wednesday, alleging the “investigation revealed illegal drugs were exported from Middle Eastern countries into other countries, including Canada, utilizing various concealment methods.” 

Article content

Article content

A lot of those drugs were destined for the GTA. Not any more. 

“This type of criminal activity isn’t welcome here and we will continue to work with our partners locally, provincially, and internationally to ensure those who don’t understand this are held to account,” said Peel Police Deputy Nick Milinovich.  

Peel Regional Police, Halton Regional Police Service, Toronto Police Service, Canada Border Services Agency, FINTRAC and Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario worked on this case for months — and ended up winning big. 

This was good work by police. When you see what drugs are doing to our communities, it’s nice to see the alleged drug world get skunked in their roll of the dice.

Charged with trafficking and other drug-related charges are: Ahmed Morid Abedi, 40 of Woodbridge; Ahmed Tariq Abedi, 50, of Woodbridge; Abdul Farqeerzada, 34 of Georgetown; Zabiullah Amin, 56 of Melancthon; Ahmed Zubiar Abedi, 33, of Oakville; and Samira Rosta, 30, of Bradford. 

Article content

Charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence are:  Zulgai Samadi, 37 of Toronto; Aryan Haydari, 38 of Barrie; and Balraj Brar, 39 of Mono. Charged with breach of trust is Fariba Ahmadi, 53, of Bradford. 

Some of the accused have been held for bail hearings and others have been released on conditions. All of the accused mentioned here are innocent until proven guilty. These charges have not been tested in court.

Court is where this case should be. We’re talking about a lot of drugs that would have spawned crime and hardship on our streets.

Recommended video

“Our service is committed to doing everything possible to protect our community from people who benefit from targeting it,” said Deputy Milinovich. “This is another example of that commitment from our team, our partners, and the quality of people who protect our communities.” 

With 11 search warrants executed March 1, police intercepted and seized 89.6 kilograms of opium, 13 kilograms of methamphetamine, one Smith and Wesson .40-calibre firearm and $310,000 in cash. Add it all together and include pot that was seized, and the value of the haul is just over $2 million.

This game is over. When it comes to Vegas, everybody knows the house always wins. 

Article content