Project Chrome leads to 71 firearms, over $1M in drugs seized

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A joint-forces investigation has led to the largest seizure of illegal firearms in Peel Regional Police history a haul that saw 67 handguns, four assault rifles, 180 rounds of ammunition and more than $1 million in drugs taken off GTA streets.

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Peel cops say Project Chrome was launched in September 2023 – in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement in Detroit – to target a suspected organized criminal network importing illegal international firearms and drugs.

A series of coordinated search warrants were executed by more than 100 officers at 18 locations on June 18 that resulted in the arrests of 10 people from the GTA who now face 185 firearms and drug-trafficking related charges.

“This is the largest number of firearms seized in a single investigation in Peel Regional Police history,” Chief Nishan Duraiappah said Wednesday at a news conference. “Illegal firearms in this community lead to other types of criminal offences which continue to plague our community, not just here in Peel but right across the GTA and this province.”

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Project Chrome was led by Peel cops but also involved officers from other services – the OPP, Toronto, York, Halton, Durham, Hamilton and London – and the Canadian Border Services Agency, as well as the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Border Enforcement Task Force and the Bureau for Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

“The aim of this project was to disrupt and dismantle the group, to stem the flow of illegal firearms to the streets of the Greater Toronto area,” Det.-Sgt. Earl Scott, of the Specialized Enforcement Bureau, said at the news conference.

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“We believe the firearms seized in this investigation would have ultimately wound up in the hands of offenders to be used in shootings, carjackings, home invasions and other acts of violence,” he said. “We believe this project will have a significant impact on our community.”

Among the drugs seized were 5.5 kilograms of cocaine and 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl along with crack cocaine and Xanax pills and $25,000 in Canadian and U.S. cash.

“The reality is access to illegal firearms has become too prevalent,” Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said. “Nearly 100% of our carjackings and home invasions where firearms are used represent illegal firearms that have been imported into our country.”

Charged are Orlando Thomas, 38, of Brampton, Conrad Mullings, a 53, of Toronto, Hamisi Stanley, 44, of London, Kevin Dias, 45, of Hamilton, Jordan Richards, 30, of Thornhill, Omar Ranger, 45, of Toronto, Shelldon Stewart, 41, of Leamington, Adam Kerr, 34, of Toronto, Garfield Morrison, 53, of Vaughan, and Michael Bell, 59, of Mississauga.

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Scott said some of the 10 men charged were known to police previously but not in recent years and they were known to each other in the alleged firearms trafficking network.

He also confirmed seven of the accused were held for bail hearings, two remained in custody waiting for bail hearings, two were denied bail and three were released with conditions.

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Duraiappah said Peel Regional Police “have been very strong advocates for those involved in violent crime offences, inclusive of firearms ones, to be treated differently than the broader segment brought before the courts.”

Since the beginning of 2024, the Chief said his officers have seized almost 200 firearms, “which is roughly one a day,” and Peel Region has seen almost the same number of shootings so far in 2024 as the entire calendar year of 2023.

“Roughly 500 rounds of ammunition have been discharged in our region,” Duraiappah said. “The reason I tell you this is firearms and the related offences pose a great risk to our community and have tragic consequences.”

jstevenson@postmedia.com

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