‘Project Burton’ Results in 32 Arrests and 184 Criminal Charges
The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) has concluded a nearly eight-month long investigation into the illegal possession and trafficking of firearms in Durham Region. This investigation was named Project Burton and resulted in 32 people being arrested, 184 criminal charges and the seizure of 16 firearms.
In January 2024, the DRPS Gun and Gang Enforcement Unit (GGU) began an investigation in response to the alarming number of illegal firearms being trafficked and used in the commission of offences. This operation, in partnership with the Toronto Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, and Criminal Intelligence Services Ontario, required the coordinated efforts of over 130 Tactical Support Officers from across the province, making it the largest tactical operation in DRPS history.
This investigation focused on a group who self identified as “2230”. The origin of “2230” initiated from a double homicide that occurred in Oshawa on June 25th, 2022. They were believed to be in involved in the trafficking of illegal firearms, illegal weapon possession, drug distribution, and various fraud schemes. Their criminal activities stretched beyond Durham Region, reaching as far as British Columbia.
In total, officers seized 12 handguns, 3 long guns, one .22 caliber carbine semi-automatic rifle, seven prohibited devices, including six extended magazines, a 50-round drum magazine, an auto-sear selector switch capable of converting a handgun into a fully automatic weapon, one kilogram of cocaine, one kilogram of fentanyl, and $80,000 in currency.
Investigators are seeking the publics assistance in locating two suspects who are still outstanding.
Isaiah BAILEY-BENJAMIN, age 23 from Oshawa is wanted for numerous offences including: Weapons Trafficking, Possession for the Purpose of Weapons Trafficking, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm Obtained by Crime, Possession of a Loaded Firearm, Attempt Fraud Exceeding $5000, Possess Identity Information for Fraudulent Offences, and Fraud Exceeding $5000 x2.
Sebastian JOHNSTON, age 19 from Oshawa is wanted for numerous offences including: Weapons Trafficking, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm x4, Possession of a Firearm Obtained by Crime x3, Possession of a Loaded Firearm, Occupy Motor Vehicle with Firearm, Possession for the Purpose of Weapons Trafficking, Attempt Fraud Exceeding $5000, Possess Identity Information for Fraudulent Offences, and Fraud Exceeding $5000 x2.
Of the 32 individuals arrested, 28 were held for a bail hearing. Thirteen of those were released on their first court appearance. Since being released, three are now wanted for breaching their release conditions.
A full list of all parties arrested and charged is available here:
Tariq PERSAUD, age 21 from Oshawa is charged with numerous offences including: Weapons Trafficking, Possess Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking x2, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm Obtained by Crime, and Possess Prohibited Device.
Caleb BAILEY, age 23 from Oshawa is charged with numerous offences including: Possession of a Firearm Knowingly Not Holding a Licence.
Ilijah BAILEY-BENJAMIN, age 18 from Oshawa is charged with numerous offences including: Weapons Trafficking x2, Possess Weapons for the Purpose of Trafficking, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm x2, Possess Firearm Obtained by Crime x2, Possess Loaded Firearm x2, and Possess Prohibited Device.
Jimmy MAIGNAN, age 19 from Clarington is charged with numerous offences including: Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Possess prohibited Device, and Possession of a Loaded Firearm.
A 17-year-old male from Oshawa is charged with numerous offences including: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm x5, Possess Weapon Obtained by Crime, Possess Loaded Firearm x3, and Possession for the Purpose of Weapons Trafficking x2.
Alexandra GAYLE, age 19 from Toronto is charged with numerous offences including: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm x2, Possess Loaded Firearm x2, Possess Firearm Knowing Serial Number has been Tampered With, and Fail to Comply with Release Order.
A 17-year-old male from Oshawa is charged with numerous offences including: Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Possess Loaded Restricted/Prohibited Firearm, and Possession of a Loaded Firearm.
Caleb YONIS, age 18 from Oshawa is charged with numerous offences including: Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm x2, Possess Prohibited Device x2, and Possession of a Loaded Firearm x2.
Kidus YOHANNES, age 18 from Oshawa is charged with numerous offences including: Possess Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm Obtained by Crime.
Mitchell HOLTER, age 22 from Oshawa is charged with numerous offences including: Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm x3, Possess Firearm Knowing Serial Number has been Tampered With, and Possess Firearm Obtained by Crime.
Nathan LOPEZ, age 26 from Toronto is charged with numerous offences including: Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm x2, Weapons Trafficking, and Possession for the Purpose of Weapons Trafficking.
Isaac GRAHAM, age 22 from Oshawa is charged with numerous offences including: Attempt Fraud Over $5000, Possess Identity Information with Intent, Fraud Over $5000, and Possess Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking.
Guy BANGOURA, age 25 from Oshawa is charged with numerous offences including: Possess Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking.
Jadon SHARMA, age 20 from Ajax is charged with numerous offences including: Possess Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking.
Timothee TEMUNA, age 21 from Oshawa is charged with numerous offences including: Possess Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking.
A 15-year-old male from Whitby is charged with numerous offences including: Careless Use of a Firearm, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Weapons Trafficking, Possess Firearm Obtained by Crime, Possess Loaded Firearm x2, and Fail to Comply with Release Order.
A 17-year-old male from Ajax is charged with numerous offences including: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm x2, Possess Loaded Firearm x2, and Possess Firearm Knowing Serial Number has been Tampered With.
Latevia WATSON, age 18 from Ajax is charged with numerous offences including: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm x2, Possess Loaded Firearm x2, and Possess Firearm Knowing Serial Number has been Tampered With.
Samantha GRIST, age 30 of Fenelon Falls is charged with numerous offences including: Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, and Possess Firearm Knowing Serial Number has been Tampered With.
Tyrell MYERS, age 35 from Oshawa is charged with numerous offences including: Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, and Possess Firearm Knowing Serial Number has been Tampered With.
Collin PIKE-FOURNIER, age 27 from Whitby is charged with numerous offences including: Obstruct Peace Officer, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Possess Firearm Knowing Serial Number has been Tampered With.
Nathan SHAW, age 25 from Oshawa is charged with numerous offences including: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Possess Firearm Knowing Serial Number has been Tampered With.
Tabatha RIDDELL, age 34 from Oshawa is charged with numerous offences including: Possess Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking.
Cassandra PERILLI, age 33 from Whitby is charged with numerous offences including: Possess Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking.
Devante BOYCE, age 19 from Ajax is charged with numerous offences including: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possess Prohibited Device x2, Possess Loaded Firearm, and Possess Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking.
Rishanna BOYCE, age 23 from Toronto is charged with numerous offences including: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possess Prohibited Device, Possess Loaded Firearm, and Possess Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking.
Tristan MITCHELL, age 21 from Ajax is charged with numerous offences including: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possess Prohibited Device, Possess Loaded Firearm, and Possess Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking.
Diondre CAMPBELL, age 19 from Toronto is charged with numerous offences including: Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device, and Possess Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking x2.
Ethan BAKSH, age 20 from Oshawa is charged with numerous offences including: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possess Prohibited Device, Possess Loaded Firearm, Possess Prohibited Device, and Possess Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking.
Calista BAKSH, age 21 from Oshawa is charged with numerous offences including: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possess Prohibited Device, Possess Loaded Firearm, Possess Prohibited Device, and Possess Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking.
Matthew YONG, age 24 from Toronto is charged with numerous offences including: Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Distributing, and Possess Proceeds Obtained by Crime Over $5000.
Selvon SCOTT, age 46 from Clarington is charged with numerous offences including: Failing to Report Firearms Lost/Stolen x5, Improper Storage of Firearm x3.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Det. Naccarato of the Gun and Gang Enforcement Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5869.
Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.
The information in this media release contains facts and circumstances that have been obtained from a police investigation. These allegations have yet to be proven in court.
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