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Three arrests following raids in Mississauga 7 · Wednesday, January 6, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Continued from page 1 Albano would not reveal what finally led to the organization's downfall. He would only say that the Halton Police Service's Drug and Morality Bureau, with help from the Guns and Gangs Unit, began an investigation in the fall of 2009 using `a variety of technical techniques.' Dubbed Project Solstice, the investigation identified members of an alleged crack cocaine distribution network, which police found was primarily active in Oakville, Burlington and Milton. Police said the investigation focused on the sale of crack cocaine to addicts and other street level drug dealers in these municipalities. The investigation culminated on Sunday with police raids on four Mississauga residences. The police raids targeted the home of the network's alleged leader, another where police say crack cocaine was made and where the group's money was kept, the residence of an alleged street level dealer and the home of the group's alleged supplier. Police said these raids netted them around two pounds of cocaine and crack cocaine, $10,600 in cash and three vehicles including a BMW 540, a Toyota Highlander and an Infinity J30. The street value of the seized drugs is estimated to be approximately $58,000. Police displayed many of the seized items during the press conference with bags of crack and cocaine taking their place on a table alongside several wads of cash as well as scales and assorted other drug paraphernalia required for converting cocaine into crack cocaine. Crack cocaine is derived from powdered cocaine through a simple solidification process with the solid chunks (rocks) then smoked to give the user an intense, short-lived euphoric high. Crack cocaine is extremely addictive and can cause a number of medical issues from increasing a person's risk of cardiac arrest and seizure to promoting aggressive and paranoid behaviour. "We probably get around 150 tips a year for the whole region concerning people dealing crack cocaine. There are many active dealers in our area," said Albano. "We've seen everything when it comes to the customers, from high school students to people that are 65 years old, male, female, working, not working. It's everything, every demographic." Despite the prevalence of crack cocaine in the area, Albano describes Sunday's raids as significant. Police allege the network conducted dozens of deals each day. Greig Arthur (a.k.a. Malibu), 35, of Mississauga has been charged with two counts of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, production of crack cocaine, conspiracy to traffic crack cocaine and possession of proceeds obtained by crime. Marlon McBean, 36, of Mississauga has been charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds obtained by crime. Theon London, 29, of Trinidad and Tobago has been charged with two counts of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, conspiracy to traffic crack cocaine and possession of proceeds obtained by crime. Police are currently preparing arrest warrants for two more people in connection to this case. Police urge the public to call Crime Stoppers to report any illegal drug, gang or gun activity by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). MICHAEL IVANIN / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER SEIZED ITEMS: Halton Regional Police Detective Inspector Al Albano with the drugs, money and drug paraphernalia seized during raids on four Mississauga residences Sunday.