Police lay 149 charges after 18-month Ottawa drug network investigation

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) announced Thursday it had laid 149 charges against 17 people because of an 18-month investigation into organized local drug networks.

Dubbed "Project Champion," police Chief Eric Stubbs said the operation's mandate was to disrupt and arrest members, particularly leaders, of violent criminal networks focused on the illegal drug trade.

Stubbs didn't offer a particular cause for the investigation during the news conference, rather that it was based on intelligence gathered over time.

The service said in a news release it involved several Ottawa police units, provincial police and Toronto police and concluded in a series of warrant executions on Nov. 7 and 12.

Ottawa police Supt. Jamie Dunlop said at the news conference the arrests should make a dent "in regards to the violence we're seeing."

Of the 17 charged, 14 have been arrested. Dunlop said warrants will be issued for the remaining three and investigators still have evidence to look through.

The ages of those charged range from 26 to 39 years old and the number of charges from two to 33. Dunlop said the accused were all living in Ottawa and that three different unnamed crime organizations were involved.

The charges include attempted murder, drug trafficking, possession of weapons, assault and participating in a criminal organization.

Police also seized 6.5 kilograms of cocaine and five guns.