POLICE RAIDS TARGET POT RING

Using snowmobiles, boats and big rigs, an international drug ring distributed marijuana from Canada into the United States, reaping millions of dollars in profits, police say.

At least 20 people were arrested yesterday as a joint-forces police operation conducted simultaneous raids across Greater Toronto.  Police say more charges are expected in the undercover probe dubbed Project Freightliner.

"There are other groups operating but this is certainly one of the larger ones," said Inspector Steve Asanin, head of Peel's morality unit, which led the probe.

Snowmobilers and boaters smuggled marijuana to the U.S.  across a native reserve in the Cornwall Island area, police say.

"It didn't matter, day or night," Asanin said.  "Whenever they felt they were free to go."

Tractor-trailers with hidden compartments concealing their drug haul were also used, police allege.  They say the network was responsible for moving more than 450 kilograms of marijuana each month.

Search warrants were executed at more than a dozen luxury homes, mostly in Peel.  The residences and other property will be the subject of a proceeds-of-crime seizure, Asanin said.

Police seized about $2 million in cash, $900,000 worth of jewellery, luxury cars and more than 300 kilograms of marijuana with a street value of $1.5 million.  Homes were also raided in Toronto and Kitchener.

The seven-month probe involved officers from Peel, Toronto, Montreal and the RCMP, and officials with Canada Customs and the U.S Drug Enforcement Agency.