Hamilton homes raided in GTA gang investigation

Toronto police arrested 35 gang members across the GTA today, raiding several Hamilton homes, as part of an investigation known as "Project Pharaoh."

The investigation involved about 750 police officers from southern Ontario arresting members of a gang called "Monstarz," police said in a press conference.

Fifty search warrants were executed simultaneously at about 5 a.m. across several regions in the GTA, including Hamilton. Aside from the arrests, police seized 34 kilograms of cocaine, $45,000 in cash, and a quantity of firearms from the arrests, police said.

"[That amount of cocaine] is a lot for our unit to be dealing with. I don't think we're dealing with a street-level gang," said Insp. Bryan Bott.

"We're dealing with a mid-level gang. . .They're in more jurisdictions than Hamilton, which speaks to their sophistication," Bott said.

The Monstarz operate out of northwest Toronto, but they've spread out across southern Ontario, police said. They are affiliated with drug and weapon trafficking.

The raided Hamilton houses ranged in size and location, with some in the downtown and some in Ancaster's suburbs.

"They were bad people," said one neighbour of a family whose Moorland Crescent home was raided.

"They weren't people you want to associate with. . .but I had no idea he was some big drug lord or whatever."

While in the downtown on Birch Avenue, neighbours didn't think the couple across the street were the type to be involved in organized crime.

"She was a nice, church-going lady," said Kelly Goldstone, who lived across from a woman in the raided Birch Avenue home. "She was always putting on events for the community."

Though trafficking was a focus in Project Pharaoh, there are homicide investigations that have come out through investigations into the Monstarz.

Investigations began in September 2014 and preparation for the arrests started three weeks ago, police said.

These arrests come after 19 people, including three Hamiltonians, were arrested in association with the 'Ndrangheta criminal organization. Police have not indicated any connection between the two investigations. But they did suggest they would have an impact on crime.

"I certainly believe [the arrests] will have an effect on the street gangs," said Supt. Ron Taverner. "It's going to be a much safer summer for all of us."

A press conference going over more details of the arrests is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday.

These arrests come after 19 people, including three Hamiltonians, were arrested in association with the 'Ndrangheta criminal organization. Police have not indicated any connection between the two investigations.