40 million dollars in cocaine smuggled into Niagara weekly
Jak Priftis, 610 CKTB News
11/2/2012
Authorities have released a few more details regarding a massive drug raid across the country connected to an investigation right here in the Niagara Region called "Project INK part 2.
The original "Project INK" resulted in the seizure of 30 million dollars worth of cocaine in February of 2012 and has had a dramatic affect on drug trafficking in the region.
That investigation was started by the NRP back in March 2011 and was dubbed "Project INK" and led to the arrest of individuals that led authorities to INK part 2.
Authorities say this cartel they have broken up brought in 400 thousand grams of cocaine into Canada weekly worth 40 million dollars each week.
Staff Sgt Joe Maggiolo says the drugs would come in on boats and dingys on the upper and lower Niagara River and on transport trucks on land.
Maggiolo says the cartel also used little known technology called PGP or "pretty good privacy" to communicate with each other in code.
PGP is used by the military.
Police in Niagara say the once they have two fugitives in custody they could put "Project INK" part two to rest.
A Canada wide warrant has been issued for the arrest of 39 year old Martino Caputo and 25 year old Rabih Al Khalil.