Ottawa police announce three more arrests from cocaine distribution investigation

Published Dec 14, 2023 • Last updated 10 hours ago • 2 minute read

Photo shows part of the 40 kilograms of cocaine seized in Project Top Shelf in early December. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /POSTMEDIA

The Ottawa Police Service said Thursday that its drug unit arrested three more people as a result of a cocaine distribution investigation dubbed Project Top Shelf.

A news release said five search warrants had been executed in Ottawa, Gatineau and Toronto on Wednesday leading to the seizure of “documentary evidence,” cash and a loaded handgun with an extended magazine.

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Police said Timon Beck, 37, and Ismail Mohammed, 35, both of Ottawa, had been charged with participating in a criminal organization and conspiracy to traffic cocaine. Sara Staniszewski, 34, of Gatineau was charged with participating in a criminal organization, conspiracy to traffic cocaine and weapons-related offences, including possession of a restricted weapon.

All three were to appear in court in Ottawa, the release said, adding that the Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit and FINTRAC, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, were continuing to assist with the investigation.

In the first week of December, Ottawa police announced two arrests in what chief Eric Stubbs called “one of the largest” drug busts in the city’s history.

The 10-month OPS investigation known as Project Top Shelf led at that time to the seizure of 40 kilograms of cocaine, four kilograms of crack cocaine and more than $100,000 in cash.

The wholesale value of the drugs was estimated at $1.5 million, with a street value of $4.5 million.

Adrian Esqualit-Gonzalez, 33, of Ottawa, and Che Esprit, 35, of Toronto, were arrested and charged with a litany of offences including conspiracy to traffic a Schedule 1 substance, possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime in excess of $5,000.

Esprit was also charged with failure to stop for police and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Esqualit-Gonzalez and Esprit were also scheduled to appear in court in Ottawa. Additional arrests were anticipated, police added at the time.

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