20 people arrested in connection to ‘Project Gateway’ investigation

Niagara police have released details about a major investigation called “Project Gateway” which led to the arrest of 20 people.

The investigation began last fall and last 10 months. It involved investigators from the Hamilton-Niagara Detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Niagara Regional Police, and Peel Regional Police.

Police say investigators were able to link the group to multiple illegal activities includes a drug smuggling operation from Mexico and Los Angeles to Canada, smuggling large amounts of tobacco from the U.S. into Canada by transport truck, smuggling people across the Niagara River into New York State by boat, and employing illegal foreign workers to work at cannabis production sites and clean chain hotels.

The active joint project came Sept. 14 to a conclusion with the execution of search warrants in various locations throughout the Province of Ontario. It required 175 police officers from police agencies across Southern Ontario and 10 Canada Border Services Agency officers.

The totality of the investigation and the warrants were executed in Hamilton, Niagara Falls, Thorold, Brampton, Milton, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Woodbridge, and Richmond Hill.

All 20 people are facing charges.