Investigation leads to multiple arrests, seizure of drugs

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS), after a three month investigation, seized drugs and arrested six people after search warrants were executed at multiple residences across the capital on the morning of May 6. 

The investigation, known as Project Road Runner, focused on a drug distribution network in the city. Search warrants were conducted at the following areas in Ottawa:

• 1200 block of McWatters Road
• 100 block of Woodridge Crescent
• 300 block of Foxridge Way
• 100 block of Hearst Way
• a residence on Banner Road
• a residence on Barnstone Drive

During the investigation and following the execution of search warrants, police seized:

• 1.5 kg of cocaine
• 7000 methamphetamine pills
• 30 grams of fentanyl
• Nearly three kilograms of cannabis resin
• Nearly three kilograms of cannabis concentrate (shatter)
• 188 cannabis vaporizers/cartridges
• Over 14 kilograms of cannabis edibles
• Nearly seven kilograms of phenacetin
• Over three kilograms of psilocybin (magic mushrooms)
• 210 kilograms of cannabis
• Approximately $175,000 in Canadian currency
• one luxury vehicle
• one bulletproof vest

Police say in a release on May 7 that assorted drug trafficking paraphernalia and replica firearms were also seized. The following six people, all from Ottawa, were arrested and charged after search warrants were executed: 

• Minh Nguyen, 29 
• Derek Ta, 25 
• Alex Duong, 31
• Charlie Duong, 33
• Aleskey Brajnik, 31 
• John Cochrane, 34 

The six people have been released and are scheduled to appear in court on July 12, 2022. Police are seeking one more person, Ginn Paluck, 30, also from Ottawa, who is facing multiple charges related to the investigation including participating in and contributing to a criminal organization and possession of a schedule I substance for trafficking.