158 charges laid in police probe targeting Jamestown Crips gang
Gang members, affiliates accused of trafficking drugs in 3 provinces
Toronto police say they have arrested and charged 32 people in an inter-provincial drug trafficking investigation targeting the Jamestown Crips, a long-established street gang operating out of Rexdale.
At a news conference Thursday, Deputy Chief Rob Johnson and Insp. Paul Krawczyk said a total of 158 charges were laid, mainly related to the possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, illegal firearms and the possession of proceeds of crime.
Among those charged is a 16-year-old from Paris, Ont. The rest of the accused range in age from 19 to 55 years old.
All 32 have appeared in court already, Krawczyk said. Police are also communicating with lawyers for five other individuals who they are encouraging to turn themselves in, he added.
The 11-month investigation began in September 2023 and included police forces from across Ontario, as well as the RCMP in Manitoba, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and Canada Border Services Agency.
Investigators allege members and affiliates of the Jamestown Crips sold drugs throughout Ontario and used Canada Post to transport drugs for trafficking operations in Thompson, Man., and St. John's.
"Toronto gangs are not just a local problem. Their influence is no longer contained to specific streets or areas in our city," Krawczyk said.
"Their criminal networks extend far beyond Toronto, reaching into other provinces and affecting communities across the country."
Between April and July this year, police services carried out 35 search warrants in Toronto, Vaughan, Brampton, Mississauga, Hamilton, Guelph and Thompson, Johnson told reporters.
The investigation recovered:
- Nine firearms.
- 4.7 kilograms of cocaine with an approximate street value of $568,000.
- Six kilograms of methamphetamine with an approximate street value of $480,000.
- Over $320,000 in proceeds of crime.
It's unclear how the investigation will affect the Jamestown Crips going forward since the gang has a wide network of criminal operations, Krawczyk said.
"But when you can take nine guns off the street — just one gun can be used in dozens of shootings and claiming innocent lives. And when you take drugs off the street ... any time we have the ability to do that and disrupt a gang, that's good for the community," he said.
