Niagara arrests in drug, money laundering ring

(Updated)

It’s a major international drug trafficking ring that originated in South America and Mexico and ended up in Southern Ontario. This morning, more than 200 officers across Southern Ontario, led by the Niagara police drug squad raided dozens of properties. 13 people from Ontario are now in custody facing a slew of conspiracy to import and cocaine trafficking charges.

Among the 13 suspects picked up in the cocaine trafficking sweep dubbed “Project Roadmaster” is 43-year old Jeffrey Kompon of Welland. He lives in the house at 122 Colbeck Drive. Police raided it early this morning.

Two other men in Niagara region are also behind bars tonight. Sixty-one-year old Laurence Aiello, connected to this home on Oakhill Boulevard in Fort Erie.

And 69-year old Guy Caputo who lives on Spruceside Drive in Fonthill.

The three homes raided in Niagara are all in nice middle-class neighbourhoods. Not the kind of place you’d think police would be arresting suspects in a major international drug
trafficking ring.”

Police also had a warrant and searched this warehouse on Nugent Road in rural Port Colborne. They say the cocaine was flowing into Canada across the Niagara border and through the Port of Montreal.

Staff Sgt. Shawn Clarkson, Niagara Regional Police: “The evidence will suggest the importation is being made by associates of the Mexican cartels along with associates of additional organized crime in the GTA.”

As a result of this morning’s raids and arrests, police believe they’ve put a significant dent in the cocaine trafficking business in Southern Ontario.

Staff Sgt. Clarkson “We’ve stopped a major drug route into Ontario, which starts in Mexico and South America and ends in the GTA and other parts of Canada.”

While Niagara was the lead, there was 7 other law enforcement agencies involved in this year long Roadmaster investigation.

Police are still assessing what they have and they’ll have more information on what’s been seized later this week.