3 | durhamregion.com This Week | Thursday, August 18, 2022 What happens if your brain doesn't get enough sound? With hearing loss, there isn't enough sound information coming to your brain from your ears, or the quality of that information is too low. This makes it much harder for the brain to orient itself in your surroundings--which then makes it harder to focus on what's important. It affects all the different parts of your brain that make sense of your surroundings. They all have to work harder. This leaves fewer mental resources for other things like remembering. Oticon More & SmartCharger Conversations are harder to follow Missing sound information makes it especially hard in situations like cafes and family gatherings where lots of people are talking. Listening takes more effort The brain has to work harder to recognize sounds from incomplete sound information while filling in the gaps by remembering and guessing. Mental load increases for hearing With less mental capacity left over for other things, it becomes harder for all the different parts of your brain that also make sense of your life. It's time to get more out of life With Oticon More™ hearing aids 1031 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 4W3 Ministry of health Assistive Devices Program, GM Green Shield, VAC, WSIB, ODSP, and MCSS funding available Summer Savings Promotion! Call to learn more about your personalized hearing recommendation. Clinician to determine candidacy. Amy Deegan Family-Owned Clinic 905-240-5055 I www.deeganhearingclinic.com A criminal organization in Durham Region was targeted during a multi-jurisdictional investigation that saw 214 stolen vehicles valued at more than $12 million recovered, police said in announcing results of the project. A total of 28 suspects have been charged with more than 240 offences as a result of Project Myra, a 22-month investigation involving police services in Ontario and Saskatchewan, according to information released Thursday, July 28. Among the charges are allegations of participation in a criminal organization, police said. The project began in 2020 after investigators uncovered evidence that organizations were fraudulently modifying vehicle identification numbers on stolen cars -- referred to as "re-VINing" -- and then reselling the automobiles through private sales, police said. The investigation focused on three "auto-theft- based criminal organizations," including one based in Durham and Toronto that was responsible for fraudulently registering stolen vehicles in Saskatchewan, transferring the documentation to Ontario, and then reselling the cars to individuals, including "criminal networks," police said. Speaking during an online media conference Thursday morning, Durham police Deputy Chief Dean Bertrim said the region has seen an 80 per cent increase in thefts of high-end vehicles since 2018. That's in keeping with trends seen across the province, OPP Deputy Commissioner Chuck Cox said. "Vehicle thefts have been rampant in recent months," Cox said. Cox noted that among the suspects arrested as a result of the investigation are employees of Service Ontario, the agency that handles vehicle licensing and registration. Other criminal gangs targeted during Project Myra were based in Peel Region and York Region, said OPP Det.-Insp. Andy Bradford. "Their criminal organizations have been dismantled," Bradford declared. During the investigation police executed dozens of search warrants. A wide range of stolen vehicle makes and models have been recovered, including high-end vehicles. Honda and Acura models accounted for 37 per cent of vehicles recovered, police said. In addition to vehicles police seized six firearms, more than $170,000 in cash and drugs including fentanyl, cocaine and cannabis, police said. Bertrim noted that the investigation in Durham resulted in the recovery of two re-VINed vehicles involved in crimes here: a drive-by shooting in Oshawa and fentanyl trafficking in Bowmanville. Noting that the vehicles involved in the scheme were resold, police warned consumers to be especially wary when engaging in private auto sales. If anything about the deal seems suspicious, "do not provide funds and contact law enforcement," Cox advised. DURHAM 'CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION' TARGETED IN AUTO THEFT Some of the vehicles recovered as a result of Project Myra, a multi-jurisdictional investigation that targeted criminal organizations dealing in stolen cars. Durham police took part in the months-long investigation. Ontario Provincial Police photos NEWS 214 STOLEN VEHICLES VALUED AT MORE THAN $12M RECOVERED JEFF MITCHELL jmitchell@ durhamregion.com An investigation into suspected drug trafficking in Oshawa has led to the seizure of a loaded handgun and thousands of dollars worth of fentanyl, police said. An investigation by officers with the Community Resource Team concluded with the arrest of a suspect in the area of Dean Avenue on Aug. 10, Durham police said. A suspect was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun and an estimated $80,000 worth of fentanyl, police said. Glenford Johnson, 36, of Ajax, faces drug and weapons charges, as well as intent to resist arrest and failing to comply with a release order. LOADED GUN, $80,000 IN FENTANYL SEIZED IN OSHAWA