A major Durham Regional Police investigation into drug trafficking in Brock Township has resulted in a dozen arrests and the seizure of fentanyl, cocaine, and cash in the Beaverton area.
Project Keystone, launched in May by investigators with the North Division Community Resource Unit, targeted drug activity and trafficking in and around the community of Beaverton in northern Durham Region.
Officers determined that a significant amount of drug activity was occurring in and around a motel located on Osborne Street in Beaverton. Police executed a search warrant at the motel last month and took two suspects into custody. A quantity of drugs and drug paraphernalia was located and seized during the raid.
Following the initial search, officers then began focused proactive patrols and traffic stops throughout the Beaverton area, while also assisting front line officers with numerous priority drug related calls for service in the community.
These targeted enforcement efforts led to the seizure of 28 grams of cocaine, a quantity of fentanyl, and over $1,500 in Canadian currency taken off the streets of the small Durham community.
Project Keystone Results So Far
In just the first month of the operation, Project Keystone has produced significant results for the Beaverton community and surrounding areas:
- 12 people arrested on drug related charges
- 83 project related traffic stops conducted
- 37 Provincial Offence Notices and Summons issued
- 53 Compliance Checks executed in the area
- 28 grams of cocaine seized
- Quantity of fentanyl seized
- Over $1,500 in Canadian currency recovered
The investigation highlights the ongoing challenge of drug trafficking in smaller communities within Durham Region, particularly in the northern townships. Beaverton, located in Brock Township along the shores of Lake Simcoe, is a lakeside community that has not been immune to the drug activity affecting many parts of the broader Greater Toronto Area.
Community Safety Concerns
The seizure of fentanyl is particularly concerning for Durham Region police and public health officials. Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid that has been linked to numerous overdose deaths across Ontario and continues to pose a serious and growing threat to community safety throughout the region and the province as a whole.
The proactive approach taken by the North Division Community Resource Unit through Project Keystone demonstrates Durham Regional Police’s commitment to addressing drug trafficking in all areas of the region, including the smaller northern communities that are sometimes overlooked in favour of larger urban centres like Oshawa, Whitby, and Ajax.
Residents of Beaverton and Brock Township are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to police. The success of Project Keystone in its first month shows that targeted community policing efforts can make a meaningful difference in addressing drug trafficking at the local level throughout Durham Region.
How to Report Information
Anyone with information about drug activity in the Beaverton area or similar incidents across Durham Region is asked to contact the North Division Community Resource Unit at 1-888-579-1520, extension 1501.
Anonymous information can also be submitted to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward for information leading to further arrests.
