TORONTO - Two Toronto police officers and three correctional officers were among almost two dozen people arrested Thursday after 63 search warrants were executed in a crackdown on marijuana grow-ops.
Toronto police Chief Bill Blair said he was very disappointed to learn that two of his officers were allegedly involved in a drug trafficking operation that involved marijuana, ecstasy and steroids and money laundering.
It's alleged the "elaborate" operation had been ongoing for at least two years. The police investigation lasted several months before the raids were launched, netting 23 suspects.
Police seized three houses, five vehicles, $60,000 and almost eight kilograms of marijuana.
The officers' alleged involvement is more than just a breach of their oath of duty, it's also a betrayal of their colleagues who strive to maintain the public's trust, said Blair.
"All of us need to maintain the trust of the people we serve," Blair said.
"The conduct alleged by these two individual officers, and quite frankly also by those corrections officers that are accused in today's investigation, (means) that trust is challenged and we are very disappointed," he said.
The two officers - Kevin Bourne with nine years of police service and Patrick Lee with eight years on the force - are in custody. If granted bail, they will be suspended with pay.
The accused were scheduled to appear in a Newmarket court Friday.
Police said the investigation is continuing.
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Article online since July 3rd 2008, 0:00
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