**30 Arrested in Major Drug Operation Across Ontario** Thirty individuals are facing nearly 215 criminal charges following a significant law enforcement operation led by the Niagara Regional Police Service. The operation, dubbed "Project Road King," resulted in the seizure of millions of dollars' worth of drugs, firearms, and stolen vehicles. The investigation began in August 2024 after police received a tip about ongoing drug activity in the region. As officers gathered evidence, they discovered that the case was part of a larger criminal network operating throughout Ontario and extending internationally, according to Inspector Mike Tripp. By April, the investigation had expanded into a collaborative effort involving the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada Border Services Agency, and police services from Hamilton, Brantford, and Halton Region. "The primary focus was to dismantle the networks responsible for large-scale drug trafficking, while also addressing related criminal activity, including auto theft," Tripp stated during a livestreamed media conference on Thursday morning. The operation culminated in a large-scale takedown on September 9, with over 200 police officers executing 12 search warrants in Toronto, Hamilton, and Niagara. During the arrests, some suspects attempted to flee from law enforcement. Authorities recovered 38 stolen vehicles valued at more than $3.3 million, along with over half a million dollars in Canadian cash and $265,000 worth of drugs. The drug haul included 12 kilograms of cocaine, 1.5 kilograms of MDMA, and one kilogram of methamphetamine. Additionally, police seized three handguns and 17 long guns, clarifying that none were classified as "ghost guns" or privately manufactured firearms. Tripp noted the sophistication of the operation, particularly regarding the stolen vehicles. Many of these cars had been taken from various locations across Southern Ontario, including Toronto, Peel, and York regions. Some vehicles were found in shipping containers, ready to be exported to countries such as Nigeria and Vietnam. The recovered vehicles ranged from luxury cars to dump trucks and even a 1960s muscle car. Tripp emphasized the precision with which the Vehicle Identification Numbers had been altered, requiring expert examination to identify them as stolen. "These are not just statistics," said Chief Bill Fordy. "Every dollar seized represents money that will no longer fuel criminal activity. Every drug taken off the street represents a potential life saved. And every stolen vehicle recovered represents a business, a family, or an individual who is no longer subject to predatory behavior." Fordy highlighted the pervasive nature of organized crime, stating, "Organized crime groups do not respect municipal, provincial, or even international boundaries. They exploit every opportunity to traffic drugs, traffic stolen vehicles, and prey upon vulnerable citizens in our communities." Hamilton Deputy Chief of Police Ryan Diodati also underscored the importance of the drug seizures for the city, noting that Hamilton's overdose and opioid-related death rates are 46 percent above the provincial average. He stated that the items seized during Project Road King would have contributed to these alarming statistics and increased violent crime in the area. "While a crime may have no borders, neither does our determination to stop it," Diodati added. The announcement of the arrests and seizures was made at the Niagara police headquarters, where officials from various law enforcement agencies gathered to discuss the operation's outcomes.