Canadian drugs and law enforcement officials say that they have smashed a multi-national drug and gun import ring and a popular Guyanese entertainer who has been identified as a key player is wanted.
According to information released by the Organized Crime Enforce-ment Bureau through the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Dwidth (likely spelt Dwight) Ferguson is one of 13 people charged following the year-long investigation “Project Monto”. According to documents seen by this newspaper Ferguson whose address is given as Georgetown, Guyana has been charged with importation of cocaine and possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine. His age is listed as 32. No court date has been set for him as he is wanted. Authorities have expressed confidence that he will be eventually caught.
The others charged are Kenton Langhorne, Rionne Martelly, Donovan Brown, Dexter Griffith, Natasha Ruddock, Rocco Petruci, Michael Robinson, Fitz Prince, David Blevins, Jermaine Wilson, Sandra Lewis and Dainnia Cameron.
Drug enforcement sources here say that they were aware that Ferguson was being investigated by Canadian authorities but one official said that he was unaware that Ferguson was charged and is wanted in Canada.
A close relative of Ferguson just recently was under investigation by drug officials in the US. Over the years this person and others associated with him have been on the radar of international drug officials.
The other dozen persons who all reside at various Canada based addresses are charged with cocaine related crimes and involvement in other illegal acts.
Canadian media reports state that the investigation revealed a trail of cocaine, prescription pills and handguns being smuggled in the United States and the Caribbean. The ten men and two women arrested were later slapped with a total of 46 charges.
According to CP24.com, OPP Chief Superintendent Rick Barnum said that since 2014, drugs would arrive at Pearson International Airport in luggage and other containers aboard planes arriving from California, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia and Guyana. Most of the drugs, he said were to be sold in the GTA-area, but some were shipped onwards to Newfoundland and Labrador.
Over the same period of time, handguns traced back to Florida were brought into Canada, also via Pearson International Airport, Barnum revealed.
The media report which was released yesterday morning said that a number of search warrants were served earlier this week in and around the GTA, leading to the seizure of 22 firearms, $146,000 in cash, four cars and when combined with the hauls from three other related investigations, a total of 123 kilograms of cocaine which has an estimated value of US$12.2M.
Barnum stated that the individuals in custody are not suspected to be low-level players in the operation. “These are the folks that organize and arrange serious importation into our country and our province,” he is quoted as saying.
He added that the 100 or more officers tasked with conducting the investigation succeeded by “being there when (the accused) let their guard down.”
“This industry of dealing drugs and firearms is really based on greed. Sometimes these folks are so greedy and think they’re so good at their game, but we’ll be there when they’re not,” he said.
Ferguson according to the report is still outstanding and wanted for importation and trafficking charges. “We’ll get him,” Barnum said adding that “It will just take a little bit of time.”
“Project Monto,” involved a number of law enforcement agencies including the OPP, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and various law enforcement agencies from the United States.
