Project Chatter was an investigation that debuted in October of 2024, led by York Regional Police’s Gun, Gangs & Drug Enforcement Unit, otherwise known as the GGDEU. It came about when York Regional Police gained information on a 31-year-old individual named Bogdan Butean, who was involved in drug trafficking taking place in Richmond Hill. Butean was considered a key player in a network which had been cracked open by the YRP through Project Chatter. This information on Butean eventually developed through the following months. Resulting in the execution of 15 search warrants throughout the Greater Toronto Area and its neighboring regions. York Regional Police unveiled the operation to the public on Wednesday (04/06/2025).
The operation focused on a drug and arms trafficking ring that eventually led to the arrest of 23 individuals. The 15 search warrants were served on May 4th, and had taken place in Toronto, Mississauga, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Ajax and Niagara Falls. Over 200 officers assisted in the takedown. The 23 people arrested amassed a total of 330 charges in drug and firearms trafficking and possession. 9 of those 23 were released on bail while 7 suspects remain behind bars, awaiting for the next steps in their court process.
This particular drug trafficking ring specialized in the sale of fentanyl and firearms. Even though the majority of the charges were related to this very specific combo, the individuals involved were not shy to traffic all sorts of different substances such as cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, heroin and several types of prescription pills.
All-in-all, authorities had managed to seize 32 firearms, 23 of which were traced back to the United States. 31 of these firearms were handguns, while the remaining firearm was an assault rifle. 15 kilograms of fentanyl with an estimated street value of over 7 million (Earlier YRP reports state 8 million). Police estimate the 15 kilograms to be equivalent to 700,000 doses (Earlier reports by the YRP state 814,000 doses). 12 kilograms of cannabis, 2 kilograms of cocaine, 247 grams of ketamine, 26 grams of methamphetamine and 86 grams of magic mushrooms were seized. Furthermore, 136,000$ in cold hard Canadian cash and 18,000$ in USD bills had also been seized.
The individuals arrested and their charges are stated below…
Project Chatter was funded with help from the Ontario Government, Ministry of the Solicitor General and the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario.
