Joint Police Investigation Uncovers Clan Labs, Methamphetamines and Dangerous Chemicals

Five Persons Charged by Asian Organized Crime Task Force

TORONTO, Sept. 5, 2013 /CNW/ - Five Ontario residents face numerous charges following the largest clandestine drug lab, methamphetamine, and chemical seizure in Ontario history.

At a news conference today, members of the Asian Organized Crime Task Force (AOCTF) revealed details of a lengthy investigation into a syndicate involving large scale production of methamphetamine. In late July 2013, police executed seven (7) search warrants at residences and businesses across the Greater Toronto Area, and two (2) search warrants in the Campbellford and Warkworth areas.

As a result, three (3) clandestine drug production labs (clan labs) were dismantled in the GTA. One chemical lab located in Warkworth -- one of the largest methamphetamine labs ever discovered in Ontario -- was used to produce raw methamphetamine. Two other labs were where the methamphetamine was mixed into powder and pressed into pill form for distribution. At a pill pressing lab located in Campbellford, more than 110 kilograms of pure methamphetamine was seized. That site was found to have been guarded with a bear trap shrouded by leaves. A second pill pressing lab was dismantled in Aurora. A storage locker in Markham was also searched, resulting in the seizure of 3,400 kilograms of chemicals used in the production of methamphetamine. It should be noted that the chemical materials unto themselves are not necessarily illegal to import into Canada nor are they all currently named as controlled substances under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act. The value of all illegal drugs seized is approximately $ 5-million.

Police also remind the public of some lesser known risks to their safety and the environment that are caused by illegal drug production operations. For example, the production of one (1) pound of methamphetamine results in about six (6) pounds of toxic chemical waste. This toxic waste is usually disposed of through careless dumping resulting in potential contamination of nearby land and waterways.

The Asian Organized Crime Task Force is joint forces operation comprised of law enforcement officers from Toronto Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), York Regional Police, Peel Regional Police, and the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA). This investigation was also supported by the OPP Drug Enforcement Unit Clandestine Lab Investigative Response Team, Toronto Police Service Clandestine Lab Team, York Regional Police Clandestine Lab Team, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE), and the OPP Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit.

In total, police seized:

• 120 kilograms of pure methamphetamine (equivalent to approx. 4-million pills);
• 110,483 meth pills;
• 14 kilograms of meth powder (ready to be pressed into pills);
• Five (5) motor vehicles; and,
• $81,000.00 in cash.

Five (5) people have been charged with various drug-related offences, as follows:

Jimmy Sut Jhing NG, aged 55 years, of Campbellford:

• Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (2 counts)
• Production of a Controlled Substance
• Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (6 Counts)
• Set Trap with Intent to Cause Bodily Harm

Sui Yuan ZHAO, aged 39 years, of Campbellford:

• Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Production of a Controlled Substance
• Set Trap with Intent to Cause Bodily Harm

Kok King CHAO, aged 49 years, of Aurora:

• Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Production of a Controlled Substance
• Trafficking in a Controlled Substance

Joey Sui Hung MO, aged 45 years, of Aurora:

• Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Production of a Controlled Substance

Chun Kit WONG, aged 28 years, of Markham:

• Possession of Items used in the Production of Methamphetamine

All of the accused are expected to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Oshawa on September 9, 2013.

LEARN MORE

Media resources, including video b-roll of the meth lab and the OPP clan lab truck, digital stills, and background information, can be found at this link: Media Resources Page

QUOTES

"Clandestine drug labs, and the drugs they manufacture, have a toxic and destructive impact on the lives of people, their communities, and the environment. They can also lead to a wide spectrum of violent acts and property crimes involving criminal organizations." - Deputy Commissioner Scott Tod, OPP Investigations and Organized Crime 

"Clandestine drug labs can be found anywhere -- both urban and rural areas are not immune. The Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau will continue to target these labs as well as the criminal organizations that operate them. Everyone involved in this investigation deserve our heartfelt thanks and congratulations." - Chief Superintendent Mike Armstrong, Commander, OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau.

SOURCE: Ontario Provincial Police

Sgt. Pierre Chamberland
Media Relations Coordinator
Phone: [phone]