NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and its investigative partners have laid more charges and charged additional persons after warrants were executed at a number of Ontario locations.
In December 2019, Project HOBART saw 18 police agencies and enforcement organizations combine to end an illegal gaming enterprise operated by and linked to members of known criminal organizations, including three members and one prospect member of the Hells Angels.
At the time, 28 people were charged with 228 offences and police seized or restrained $12-million worth of residential properties, luxury and vintage automobiles and motorcycles, off-road vehicles, cash, gold and silver bars and jewellery.
On July 29, 2020, police and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) executed four (4) search warrants in London, Oakville, Toronto and Pickering and other judicial warrants at eight (8) locations in London, Toronto, Welland and Thornbury resulting in the seizure and/or restraint of $24-million worth of assets including:
- Three (3) residences and 1 vacant vacation property;
- Eight (8) vehicles; including sports cars, a vintage automobile and one Harley Davidson motorcycle;
- The financial assets of three land/property development companies, including building lots in the Collingwood area; one of which has a $7-million newly-built house on it;
- $82,590 CDN and $25,398 USD in cash; and,
- Approximately 7 kilograms of Psilocybin and .5 kilogram of Marihuana for a total value of $66,986.
As a result of this ongoing investigation, four (4) additional persons are charged with offences contrary to the Criminal Code including commission of offences for a criminal organization, bookmaking, proceeds of crime, money laundering and tax evasion.
Three (3) other persons are charged with money laundering and proceeds of cCrime. In addition to his previous charges, Hells Angels member Robert Barletta was re-arrested and charged with money laundering and fraud (related to tax evasion) against the Government of Canada.
His tax evasion charges were also amended to reflect a greater taxable benefit. One person is additionally charged with two counts of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking/Selling contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act and the Cannabis Act. All eight (8) accused are expected to answer charges at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton on Sept. 17, 2020.
Two local men were among those charged.
Michael Curtis, 37, of Collingwood was charged with laundering proceeds of crime, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. He was released and will make his first court appearance Sept. 17, 2020
Douglas Adams, 58, of Thornbury was also charged with laundering proceeds of crime, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. He was released and will make his first court appearance Sept. 17, 2020
The broader investigation and active takedowns have involved members of OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), Biker Enforcement Unit (BEU), the Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit, the RCMP, London Police Service, Niagara Regional Police, Halton Regional Police Service, Canada Revenue Agency, Peel Regional Police, Toronto Police Service, York Regional Police, Waterloo Regional Police Service, Hamilton Police Service, Durham Regional Police Service, Sault Ste. Marie Police, Barrie Police Service, Canada Border Services Agency, Stratford Police Service, Woodstock Police Service, the Sûreté du Québec and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).
QUOTE
"Police and our partner agencies are again demonstrating that we are relentless in our pursuit of criminal organizations and their leaders, their associates and their criminal lifestyle, ensuring the safety of our communities." - Chief Superintendent Kari DART, Commander, OPP Investigation and Support Bureau.
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