Project Skyway Nets $1.6 Million in Drugs and Cash Seizure

By - June 21, 2016
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project-skywayPolice executed 11 search warrants and arrested 10 people as a part of a large federal drug investigation in southern Ontario  that was called ‘Project Skyway.’

Halton, Ontario  regional police, who worked closely with Hamilton, Waterloo and Niagara police forces in southern Canada and New York state, think they were able to disrupt a large drug trafficking operation after the raid last Friday.

Ten of the warrants were conducted in Hamilton, Ontario and another was done in Oakville, Ontario.

In late 2015, police executed a search warrant in Burlington, Ontario that led the Halton police department to dial up their drug investigation.

Police stated last week that they seized eight kgs of cocaine and 63 kg of dry marijuana, as well as 1.5 kg of mushrooms, 16 Percocet tablets and more than $100,000 in cash.

The Waterloo and Niagara police helped with the drug bust because of the numbers of police officers that were needed to conduct the search warrants. There were more than 80 officers involved.

Leaders of the operation stated that the raid could be a major disruption of the drug supply in southern Canada and upstate New York. They added that the amount of drugs that were seized would be difficult for drug traffickers to replace quickly.

The accused who were arrested and facing drug charges are:

  • Anh Tuan Nguyen, 32, of Oakville, charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm, knowledge unauthorized possession of a firearm, adult possession prohibited device, unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorized possession of a prohibited device, unsafe storage, possession of a loaded firearm
  • Thanh Van Nguyen, 28, of Hamilton, charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of controlled substance
  • Van Lo Nguyen, 34, of Hannon, charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking
  • Van Dung Le, 27, of Hamilton, charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking
  • Van Hai Hoang, 28, of Hamilton, charged with possession of controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession
  • Cuong Hoang, 31, of Hamilton, charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of controlled substance
  • Kim Phuon Nguyen, 28, of Toronto, charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm, knowledge unauthorized possession of a firearm, adult possession prohibited device, unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorized possession of a prohibited device, unsafe storage, possession of a loaded firearm
  • Trevor Stafford, 34, of Hamilton, charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, produce a controlled substance
  • Michael Greenaway, 35, of Hamilton, charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, produce a controlled substance
  • Van Vuong Le, 53, of Hamilton, charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, produce a controlled substance

About Federal Trafficking Charges

Federal drug trafficking and distribution laws have very stiff penalties for the sale, transportation and illegal importation of narcotics, such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, prescription drugs and others.

Drug trafficking and distribution is a felony in the US, and is a much more serious crime than mere drug possession. If you are found in possession of illegal drugs, you may be charged with drug trafficking if the police and federal agents think that you were going to sell them. If you are arrested with a large amount of drugs and drug trafficking equipment such as scales and bags, you could face drug trafficking charges.

The states and the US federal government define many types of illegal drugs as ‘controlled.’ This means that their use and distribution is governed by state and federal laws. Controlled substances each are classified under certain schedules.

Marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance, and cocaine is a Schedule II controlled substance.

There is a detailed federal strategy to fight the distribution and sale of controlled substances in the US. Every state also has its own drug laws. However, most federal crimes for drugs are for trafficking and distribution. Most of the arrests in the states are for simple possession.

The severity of your penalty for drug trafficking and distribution will depend upon many factors, such as the type and quantity of the drugs involved. Also, where you were arrested is a key factor. People who are caught selling drugs on school property face more severe penalties. Another factor to consider is your criminal history.

People who are convicted of drug trafficking for the first time will get a prison sentence usually of more than a year, while those with a long criminal record can be sentenced for more than 10 years. A life sentence is even possible for people who are repeat offenders or are caught with several kilograms of drugs.

The fines for federal drug trafficking convictions also can be severe, up to $10 million.