Thunder Bay police seize 20 kg of cocaine, calling it the largest cocaine bust in the force's history

The Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) has announced details of an investigation that's resulted in the largest single seizure of cocaine in the force's history.

The Project Marble investigation, which began in January, was led by the service's intelligence unit, and resulted in multiple search warrants and several arrests last week.

More than $2 million worth of illicit substances have been seized, including nearly 20 kilograms of cocaine. The seizures also include:

• More than $1 million worth of property, including vehicles, luxury watches, jewelry and clothing.
• More than $100,000 in Canadian currency.
• Four handguns.

In total, nine people from Thunder Bay face more than 50 charges. They have all been remanded into custody with future court appearance dates. The investigation is ongoing.

"This investigation and investigations like this have a significant impact on our community in northwestern Ontario. These drugs were headed to our streets, and cause and maintain addictions, violence and criminal activities," said deputy Chief Ryan Hughes during a news conference Wednesday.

"This is an investigation that our members and our partnering members should be extremely proud of."

Project Marble was supported by funding from the Ontario government, Crime Intelligence Service Ontario.

Search warrants were executed at seven addresses in Thunder Bay last week and one residence in the Greater Toronto Area. The searches involved the TBPS's emergency task unit, Ontario Provincial Police, Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, Toronto Police Service and Sault Ste. Marie Police Service.

The seizure comes after two drug alerts were issued by NorWest Community Health Services this week about increasingly toxic drugs tested at the city's safe consumption site, Path 525. These include a pink fentanyl substance containing high amounts of mannitol and fentanyl, and xylazine, a non-opioid pain reliever used on large animals and that can cause severe infections.

"A seizure of this magnitude will have an immediate dent. However, I don't think we could be naive to think that this will be the end all, be all of full seizures and the stoppage of the illicit drug trade," said acting Insp. Christopher Carlucci.

The drugs have been sent for testing, but the results haven't been received yet, he said.