NEWS RELEASE
HALTON REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has made a large weapons and drug seizure following the conclusion of a lengthy investigation titled Project Breakdown. HRPS officers have also arrested four people and laid nearly 80 charges in connection with the investigation.
Project Breakdown began in February 2024 and was conducted by members of the HRPS Regional Drug and Organized Crime Unit and the 2 District CIB – Street Crime Unit. It targeted an (alleged) fentanyl and firearms trafficking network operating in Halton Region, Hamilton, and Southwestern Ontario.
On June 25, 2024, with the assistance of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Brantford Police Service, and Hamilton Police Service, nine search warrants were executed in Oxford County, Brant County, Haldimand County, and the City of Hamilton.
As a result of the investigation, the following items were located and seized:
- A loaded Sig Sauer 9mm handgun with an extended magazine containing 22 rounds of ammunition
- A 9 mm Taurus handgun with 16 rounds of ammunition
- A Canuck pump action shotgun with 19 rounds of ammunition
- A Remington 870 pump action shotgun
- A Remington sawed off shotgun with 12 shotgun shells
- A Black Savage .22 caliber long gun with two fully loaded high capacity magazines containing 62 rounds of ammunition
- A Weatherby Vanguard .257 caliber long gun
- Over 1,800 rounds of various ammunition
- A 3D printed handgun receiver
- Over 1/2 kilogram of fentanyl
- 11 ounces of cocaine
- Approximately 100 Xanax tablets
The four individuals listed below face a combined 79 charges, which include firearm offences, drug and firearms trafficking, and armed robbery with a firearm.
- Rahim Redha (21) of Caledonia has been charged with the following:
- Trafficking a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) (13 counts)
- Trafficking a Controlled Substance (Cocaine) (four counts)
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl) (one count)
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Xanax) (one count)
- Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence (three counts)
- Carry a Concealed Weapon (five counts)
- Trafficking Firearms, Ammunition, Devices (five counts)
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (three counts)
- Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited device (two counts)
- Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (three counts)
- Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device (one count)
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Vehicle (three counts)
- Possession of a Prohibited Firearm with ammunition (two counts)
- Careless Use of a Firearm, Weapon, Ammunition (eight counts)
- Disguise with Intent (one count)
- Robbery with Firearm (one count)
- Using a Firearm in the Commission of an Offence (one count)
- Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose (one count)
- Pointing a Firearm (one count)
- Ibrahim Redha (44) of Norwich has been charged with the following:
- Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon (two counts)
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (two counts)
- Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (two counts)
- Careless use of Firearm, Weapon, Ammunition (three counts)
- Breach of Firearms Regulation (two counts)
- Possession of Prohibited Firearm / ammunition (one count)
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine) (one count)
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Oxycodone) (one count)
- Seth Roswell (24) of Scotland (Ont.) has been charged with the following:
- Possession for the Purpose of Weapons Trafficking (two counts)
- Trafficking a Firearm (one count)
- Trafficking Ammunition (one count)
- Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon (one count)
- Layla Vargas (20) of Brampton has been charged with the following:
- Trafficking a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) (one count)
Additional arrests and charges are anticipated.
"The trafficking of illicit substances, particularly fentanyl into our community is related to the rise in drug poisonings, which we know can lead to tragic outcomes. Similarly, trafficking and possessing firearms is a direct threat to public safety,” said Detective Sergeant Ron Wright of the 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau.
"The results of Project Breakdown clearly demonstrate our commitment to collaborate and hold those who partake in these criminal acts accountable. Everyone involved should be commended for their diligent work that led to these impressive results."
The successful completion of this lengthy investigation was made possible through funding provided by the Ontario Government, Ministry of the Solicitor General in which the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario supported this Joint Forces investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) Regional Drug and Organized Crime Unit at 905-825-4747 Ext. 5331.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. "See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers" at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web here.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: the accused people facing charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
