$400,000 in drugs seized after police uncover drug trafficking operation
A months-long investigation has led to the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of over $400,000 in illicit drugs. (Source: Windsor police)
Two suspects have been arrested and over $400,000 in illicit drugs seized after a months-long investigation.
The investigation was conducted by the Windsor Police Service, with support from Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario (CISO). It ultimately uncovered a drug trafficking operation operating throughout Windsor and Essex County, with links to the Greater Toronto Area.
In May 2024, members of the Windsor Police Drugs and Guns Enforcement Unit (DIGS) began “Project Kraken,” an investigation into a suspected drug trafficking operation.
In the early hours of Dec. 21, 2024, DIGS officers, with support from the Emergency Services Unit, arrested 26-year-old Keith Florence as he was returning to Windsor from Toronto. Police say the suspect attempted to flee arrest before officers removed him from his vehicle and successfully took him into custody.
Following the arrest, officers obtained search warrants for Florence’s vehicle and two residences connected to this investigation.
A search of the vehicle returned two kilograms of cocaine, 356 grams of fentanyl, three cellphones, packaging materials, and $950 in Canadian and American currency.
A search of the first residence, located in the 5300 block of Concession Road 5 in Harrow, returned 575 grams of cocaine, 180 tablets of 80mg oxycodone, 72 tablets of 5mg oxycodone, 95 rounds of ammunition, empty packaging with cocaine residue, a digital scale, and $14,212 in Canadian currency.
Upon entering the second residence, located in the 1500 block of Ouellette Avenue in Windsor, officers arrested the second suspect, 34-year-old Brandon Brown, without incident. Officers also located and seized a cellphone from the residence.
The total value of drugs seized in the operation was $412,850.
Florence has been charged with:
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking, namely cocaine
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking, namely fentanyl
- Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking, namely oxycodone
- Trafficking in a schedule I substance, namely cocaine (x 2)
- Possession of the proceeds of crime
- Failure to comply with a prohibition order
Brown has been charged with five counts of trafficking in a schedule I substance, namely cocaine.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Windsor Police Service DIGS Unit at 519-255-6700, ext. 4361. They can also contact Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.catchcrooks.com.
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