Toronto police arrest at least 20 people in gun, drug raids across city

Toronto police arrested at least 20 people during a number of raids targeting guns, gangs and drugs at up to 30 locations across the city this morning.

At least two of the raids were in high rises in the downtown area near Fort York and others took place in Etobicoke.

Police say they worked closely with law enforcement agencies outside the city to carry out raids across the GTA as well. In a tweet, police said the raids are part of an operation called "Project Sizzle." 

In addition to guns and drugs, some of the arrests are connected to "a number of homicides," according to Mark Pugash, the director of Corporate Communications for Toronto police.

"This is something that's been a long time in the planning," Pugash told CBC News. "We believe these can have a significant impact in reducing crime in the city."

Emergency task force officers and K9 units took part in the operation. Police say a large amount of property was also seized. 

"This is still ongoing," said Pugash Thursday morning. "There are still warrants being executed. There are still people being arrested."

Police are expected to provide more information on the number of arrests from the raids later today.

Pugash says Chief Mark Saunders will provide details on the raids at a news conference on Friday morning.