An international investigation into a cocaine smuggling ring has landed the OPP its largest drug seizure ever.
During a news conference in Orillia on Monday, provincial police showed off more than 1,000 kilograms of pure cocaine. Police estimate the street value to be worth $250 million.
"This is really a historic moment for the OPP when it comes to amount of seized product that you see before you," says OPP commissioner Vince Hawkes.
A 52-year-old Vaughan man, a 36-year-old Brampton man and a 45-year-old Toronto man were arrested and charged earlier this year.
Police say the men imported the drug into Montreal from Argentina by using shipping containers. The cocaine was then allegedly taken to Ontario.
Police say the cocaine was hidden inside small rocks mixed with real rocks.
“Even they would have to identify which rocks had the cocaine; otherwise they'd have to destroy all the rocks."
The rocks were wrapped in cellophane and in some cases, smeared with what’s believed to be faeces.
“Well there's very few things that would shock me, but it's ingenious. When you think, someone had to go through that whole thought process."
Police say the investigation was done in conjunction with the Canadian Border Services Agency and the United States Drug Enforcement Agency.
