August 29, 2024: Durham police have revealed the outcomes of a six-month investigation into an Oshawa-based gang, resulting in 32 arrests, 184 charges, and the seizure of 16 firearms. The initiative, known as ‘Project Burton,’ began in January 2024 with the support of Toronto and Ontario Provincial Police to investigate alleged gang activities in the Durham Region.
During a press conference on Thursday in Whitby, Durham Police Chief Peter Moreira explained that the investigation targeted the 22-30 gang, which operates mainly around the Simcoe Street North and Winchester Road area in Oshawa. The group’s name is associated with a double homicide at the BLVD restaurant and bar in Oshawa on June 25, 2022.
The gang faced allegations of illegal firearms possession and trafficking, drug distribution, and various fraud schemes, with their criminal activities extending beyond Durham Region to British Columbia. Moreira noted that gang members flaunted their criminal earnings on social media, celebrating financial success derived from illegal activities.1
The charges include firearms trafficking, illegal weapon possession, cocaine and fentanyl trafficking, and fraud exceeding $5,000. The police confiscated 16 weapons—12 handguns, one rifle, one semi-automatic rifle, and two shotguns—along with seven prohibited devices. They also seized approximately one kilogram each of cocaine and fentanyl, and about $80,000 in cash. It was found that eight handguns were smuggled from the U.S., with one having its serial number removed.
The operation, described as the largest tactical effort in Durham Regional Police Service’s history, involved over 130 officers executing 20 search warrants across Durham Region. Of the 32 individuals arrested, 28 were held for bail hearings, with 13 being released on bail. Three of these individuals are now wanted for breaching their bail conditions.
The investigation is ongoing, with warrants out for two additional suspects alleged to be involved in firearms trafficking. Moreira emphasized that Durham Region remains committed to combating gun and gang violence, with efforts focused on reducing illegal firearms and enhancing community safety through rigorous enforcement.
