Toronto doctor among 12 charged, accused of running fentanyl operation (2024)

A Toronto doctor is among 12 people charged after Hamilton Police, with the help of multiple organizations across Ontario, dismantled a clandestine fentanyl manufacturing operation following a nearly two-year investigation.

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Three fentanyl labs and two storage facilities containing chemicals, laboratory equipment, chemical waste associated to the fentanyl synthesis, and evidence of drug trafficking were located across the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton area in the investigation dubbed Project Odeon, police alleged at a news conference Thursday.

Investigators estimate the street value of the fentanyl and other synthetic drugs seized at approximately $4 million.

Hamilton Police say they partnered with the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario, York Regional Police, Ontario Provincial Police and Toronto Police. They were also assisted by Niagara Regional Police, Guelph Police, Canadian Border Service Agency and FINTRAC, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada.

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“By dismantling these laboratories, we have taken away a significant producer of fentanyl and made significant steps in our efforts to prevent hundreds of overdoses in our community,” said Insp. Benoit Thibodeau, who managed Project Odeon.

He said it was a very sophisticated operation that had been around for an extended period of time.

The investigation began in November 2021 after officers responded to a 911 call for a young man who died inside a Hamilton residence.

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After locating the man’s body, police claim officers discovered a large scale drug lab believed to be used to make fentanyl.

Investigators suspected the man died from toxic chemical exposure.

Police allege the lab had the potential to produce 63kg of fentanyl at a time.

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Based on the equipment used, investigators were able to identify a company in the U.S., which sold three lab items to a company in Oshawa.

On Aug. 2, police from Hamilton and Toronto executed search warrants in Hamilton, Mount Albert, Smithville, Toronto, Whitchurch-Stouffville and Vaughan.

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Cops seized a fentanyl lab in Smithville, a dismantled fentanyl lab in Stouffville, a storage unit in Stouffville used to store approximately 3.5 tonnes of chemical byproduct, a storage unit in Toronto used to store 800 gallons of chemicals commonly used in the production of fentanyl, and lab equipment and other spare parts.

Based on field testing, police say 64.1 kg of illicit drugs was recovered, including 25.6 kg of fentanyl, 18 kg of methamphetamine, 6 kg of ketamine, 2 kg of cocaine and 12 kg of a chemical precursor known as 4P.

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“Based on the chemicals recovered, without the intervention made possible through this project, there is no doubt that the unscrupulous individuals … would have continued their illicit enterprise, solely motivated by profits,” said Insp. Thibodeau.

Investigators also recovered a loaded Glock firearm with ammunition as well as four extended prohibited magazines.

Cops also seized more than $350,000 in alleged proceeds of crime, including vehicles, jewelry and designer clothing as well as Canadian and U.S. currency.

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The 12 accused are facing 48 criminal offences that include possession for the purpose of trafficking of a controlled substance, production of a controlled substance, possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000, possession of a firearm and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

Charged are Charanpal Gill, 28, and Jasanpal Gill, 22, both of Stoney Creek; Cindy Ly, a 31-year-old physician from Toronto; Elizabeth Milne, 33, of Welland; Garry Moore, 45, and Amanpreet Shergill, 30, both of Smithville; as well as Hamilton residents Ghais Sultani, 32, Akela Sultani, 59, Fais Sultani, 20, Weeda Sultani, 19, Ly Duy Luan Do, 33, Shkelqim Ibishi, 30.

Suspect Kien Trung Hoang, 34, of Toronto, is also sought on a Canada-wide warrant.

Police say the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario is aware of the charges against Cindy Ly.

Anyone with information about the investigation is urged to call Hamilton Police Det. Eric Hrab at 905-546-6340 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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