In the largest anti-gang sweep in Toronto's history, hundreds of cops swooped down on the notorious Jamestown Crips yesterday, severing what police believe was an international illegal firearms pipeline.
More than 600 cops using battering rams and stun grenades launched simultaneous pre-dawn raids, arresting 125 people, most ranging in age from 17 to their mid-20s, on charges from gangsterism, drugs and weapons trafficking, obstruction and attempt murder.
Among those nabbed in the raids -- which centred on Jamestown Cr. in the Martin Grove Rd.-Finch Ave. W. area -- were 21 people considered to be the leadership of the gang, also known as The Doomstown Crew and The Jamestown Crew.
"The Jamestown Crew has the reputation as being one of the most violent street gangs city-wide," Police Chief Bill Blair said.
Blair said most of the accused are associated with Jamestown, and sources added some were tied to a rival Bloods gang from Brampton. A source said there have been some shootings between the two groups.
A police source said yesterday the plan was to let the six-month long Project XXX continue a little longer, but police decided to move yesterday to prevent a recurrence of last year's gun violence as warmer weather arrives.
Police raided 72 homes and 26 other locations including vehicles in Toronto, Brampton, Montreal and the suspected source of firearms in Brantford.
Blair said earlier in the day 20 firearms had been seized, including 14 handguns, two ARP-15 rifles, two Mac 10 machine pistols and an AK-47. But a source said the number of seized firearms had surpassed the 20 mark by the dinner hour.
Also seized from one home was 1.5 kilos of cocaine, raising the total seized during the probe to 15 kilos. Marijuana, thousands in cash and four vehicles were also seized.
Blair said American authorities are also assisting in shutting down the gun pipeline, which apparently begins in the southern U.S. and goes to Brantford.
"Our investigation revealed the Jamestown Crew had been involved in many firearms-related offences over the past several years. We have traced the source of those firearms. Significant progress has been made in shutting down the pipeline," Blair said. "Those guns were being imported by a criminal organization and made available to the Jamestown Crew and other gangs in Toronto. More details of that will follow."
More than 600 cops using battering rams and stun grenades launched simultaneous pre-dawn raids, arresting 125 people, most ranging in age from 17 to their mid-20s, on charges from gangsterism, drugs and weapons trafficking, obstruction and attempt murder.
Among those nabbed in the raids -- which centred on Jamestown Cr. in the Martin Grove Rd.-Finch Ave. W. area -- were 21 people considered to be the leadership of the gang, also known as The Doomstown Crew and The Jamestown Crew.
"The Jamestown Crew has the reputation as being one of the most violent street gangs city-wide," Police Chief Bill Blair said.
Blair said most of the accused are associated with Jamestown, and sources added some were tied to a rival Bloods gang from Brampton. A source said there have been some shootings between the two groups.
A police source said yesterday the plan was to let the six-month long Project XXX continue a little longer, but police decided to move yesterday to prevent a recurrence of last year's gun violence as warmer weather arrives.
Police raided 72 homes and 26 other locations including vehicles in Toronto, Brampton, Montreal and the suspected source of firearms in Brantford.
Blair said earlier in the day 20 firearms had been seized, including 14 handguns, two ARP-15 rifles, two Mac 10 machine pistols and an AK-47. But a source said the number of seized firearms had surpassed the 20 mark by the dinner hour.
Also seized from one home was 1.5 kilos of cocaine, raising the total seized during the probe to 15 kilos. Marijuana, thousands in cash and four vehicles were also seized.
Blair said American authorities are also assisting in shutting down the gun pipeline, which apparently begins in the southern U.S. and goes to Brantford.
"Our investigation revealed the Jamestown Crew had been involved in many firearms-related offences over the past several years. We have traced the source of those firearms. Significant progress has been made in shutting down the pipeline," Blair said. "Those guns were being imported by a criminal organization and made available to the Jamestown Crew and other gangs in Toronto. More details of that will follow."
....those hottties better not all be black ppl