Hamilton homes raided in GTA gang investigation

Toronto police arrested 35 gang members across the GTA today, raiding severalHamilton homes, as part of an investigation known as "Project Pharaoh."

The investigationinvolved about750 police officers from southern Ontario arresting members of a gang called "Monstarz," police said in a press conference.

Fifty search warrants were executed simultaneously at about 5 a.m.across several regions in the GTA, including Hamilton. Aside from the arrests, police seized 34 kilograms of cocaine, $45,000 in cash, and a quantity of firearms from the arrests, police said.

"[That amount of cocaine] is a lot for our unit to be dealing with. I don't think we're dealingwith a street-level gang," said Insp. Bryan Bott.

"We're dealing with a mid-level gang. . .They're in more jurisdictions than Hamilton, which speaks to their sophistication," Bott said.

TheMonstarzoperate out of northwest Toronto, but they've spread out across southern Ontario, police said.They are affiliated with drug and weapon trafficking.

Theraided Hamilton houses ranged in size andlocation, with some in the downtown and some in Ancaster's suburbs.

"They were bad people," said one neighbour of a family whoseMoorland Crescent home was raided.

"They weren't people you want to associate with. . .butI had no idea he was some big druglordor whatever."

While in the downtown on Birch Avenue, neighbours didn't think the couple across the street were the type to be involved in organized crime.

"She was a nice, church-going lady," said Kelly Goldstone, who lived across from a womanin the raided Birch Avenue home. "She was always putting on events for the community."

Though trafficking was a focus in Project Pharaoh,there are homicide investigations that have come out through investigations into theMonstarz.

Investigationsbegan in September 2014 andpreparation for the arrests startedthree weeks ago, police said.

These arrests come after 19 people, including threeHamiltonians, were arrested in association with the 'Ndranghetacriminal organization. Police have not indicated any connection between the two investigations. But they did suggest they would have an impact on crime.

"I certainly believe [the arrests]will have an effect on the street gangs," said Supt.Ron Taverner. "It's going to be a much safer summer for all of us."

A press conference going over more details of the arrests is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday.

These arrests come after 19 people, including threeHamiltonians, were arrested in association with the 'Ndranghetacriminal organization. Police have not indicated any connection between the two investigations.