Project Amethyst: Nine Crime Guns, 2.5 kg of Fentanyl, Methamphetamine seized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, November 18, 2022   8:50 am

(Ottawa) — On Wednesday, November 16^th, the Ottawa Police Service Street Crime and Drug Units concluded an 8-month investigation into a local firearm trafficking and wholesale fentanyl distribution network.   

Project Amethyst was supported through funding provided by the Ontario Government, Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario and has resulted in the arrest of four Ottawa men and one woman.

During the investigation, police seized:

• 9 crime guns
• 2,553 grams of fentanyl (two and a half kilograms)
• 680 grams of cocaine
• 1792 grams of crystal methamphetamine
• 2262 opiate based narcotic pills
• Approximately $150,000 Canadian currency
• 1 luxury vehicle

In the past two years the Ottawa Police Service has responded to 132 calls for service in relation to shootings.  There have been 14-gun related homicides during that period.

Police have responded to 1231 overdose calls for service and 94 illicit drug related deaths during that same time period.

Two and a half kilograms of fentanyl can produce up to 1,250,000 potentially lethal street level doses.

The Ottawa Police Service is committed to the overall Harm Reduction strategy with our community partners. In addition to programs such as the Frontline Naloxone Distribution Program, the OPS continues to use enforcement and suppression as a tool to help stem the flow of illicit and potentially fatal substances from hitting our streets.  

Facing charges and held for show cause hearings are:

Azizul-Haq Haq AHMADZAI – 20 yrs of Ottawa

Asarul-Haq AHMADZAI – 26 yrs of Ottawa

Logan CAMPBELL – 21 yrs of Ottawa

Yousif ALZAYADI – 23 yrs of Ottawa

Johanie ROCHON – 22 yrs of L’Ancienne Lorette, Quebec

The individuals face in excess of 100 charges combined for firearms possession, firearms trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, trafficking controlled substances, possession of proceeds of crime, breach of release conditions, flight from police and dangerous driving.

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Contact:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

@OttawaPolice

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Phone Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477.