37 kg of ketamine seized in GTA drug raids last week, Toronto police say

Officers seized 37 kilograms of ketamine and arrested eight peopleafterraiding three synthetic drug labs in the GTA late last week, Toronto police announced Wednesday.

Police say they executed 18 search warrants on Friday in an investigation called "Project Apollo."

The alleged drug productions sites were at 80 Colville Rd. in North York; 29 Plumbrook Cres.in Scarborough; and 107 Northolt Cres.in Markham.

• Toronto police say Markham home searched on Saturday is synthetic drug lab
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Police say they also seized one kilogram of cocaine, 200 grams of MDMA, and 11 grams of heroin, as well as chemicals for producing ketamine, lab equipment and cash.

Eight peoplewere arrested. Police say theyappeared in court Tuesday and thatthree suspects are still at large.

In a newsrelease. police said ketamine is an anesthetic often used in veterinary surgery. It can be used in powder or liquid formandhas addictive properties, police say.

Ketaminestops feelings of pain, raises heart rate and blood pressure, and "can produce vivid dreams and a feeling that the mind is separated from the body," the newsrelease said.

The Toronto PoliceService says itworkedwith its drug squad, the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force, 43 Division Major Crime Unit, Forensic Identification Services,CBRNE, York Regional Police,and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit.