The Halton Police have arrested and charged six individuals involved in a drug and gun investigation.
On Friday, August 26th, members of the Halton Regional Police Service Drug and Human Trafficking Unit (DHTU) concluded a two-month-long investigation in relation to a drug trafficking network based in the Town of Halton Hills that spanned across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Between Thursday, August 25th and Friday, August 26th, three Controlled Drugs and Substances Act Search Warrants were executed at residences in Georgetown and Toronto.
Investigators seized:
- A loaded 9mm Taurus G3C handgun.
- A loaded fully automatic 9mm Glock 26 handgun
- Three additional loaded magazines which included a prohibited capacity magazine.
- 290 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
- Approximately: 330 grams of Cocaine, 80 grams of Fentanyl, 95 grams of Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth), 332 Oxycodone pills, 260 Xanax pills, 30 Hydromorphone pills, and 8 grams of crack cocaine.
- Bundled Canadian Currency estimated at approximately $15,000.
“The modified fully automatic nature of the firearm seized in this investigation illustrates a disturbing trend in the lengths individuals will go to protect their illicit drug trafficking networks. This investigation illustrates our officers’ dedication in interdicting these firearms and drugs, and holding those engaged in these reprehensible acts accountable,” says Inspector Dave Costantini, Halton Regional Police Intelligence, Drugs and Human Trafficking.
Six individuals were subsequently arrested and charged for their alleged involvement.
The following individuals have been charged:
20-year-old Aristotle Berlanguet of Georgetown
- Careless use of a Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
- Possession of a Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Trafficking a controlled substance (Cocaine)
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (6 counts)
- Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device
- Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime Over
- Fail to Comply with Release Order
20-year-old Adam Griffin of Georgetown
- Careless use of a Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
- Possession of a Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking (7 counts)
- Fail to Comply with Release Order
40-year-old Gabriel Kopcsanyi of Toronto:
- Careless Use of a Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
- Possession of a Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (8 counts)
- Careless Use of a Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
- Possession of a Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime Under $5000
42-year-old Gabor Horvath of Etobicoke:
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine)
57-year-old Bill Chantzopoulos of Toronto:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl)
62-year-old Virginia Dos Santos of Toronto:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl).
Berlanguet, Kopcsanyi, and Griffin were held pending a bail hearing.
Horvath, Chantzopoulos, and Dos Santos were released on an undertaking with future court dates.
Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.