Toronto Police say a violent street gang known as the Five Point Generalz have been dealt a significant blow in early morning raids.
Fifty search warrants were executed at sunrise in Toronto, Peel, Durham, and York and 70 people, alleged to be gang members, were arrested.
The operation dubbed "Project Patton" was nine months in the making.
A significant number of firearms and large quantities of drugs were seized.
"We allege the Five Point Generalz are a dangerous street gang that, while having roots in the area surrounding Weston Rd. and Lawrence Ave. W., its criminal activities extend throughout Toronto and the GTA, Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean," describes Toronto Police Chief mark Saunders.
He won't get into specifics on how many firearms or types of drugs were seized.
Saunders alleges the gang are responsible for a multitude of shootings across the city. He says they are not believed to be linked to last week's shooting at a Scarborough playground that injured two little girls.
"These were thugs who collectively use firearms to shoot other people. It's a concern because it has lasted for a period of time, as with other street gangs," he says.
Toronto Police are planning another media conference tomorrow to provide more details on the firearms and drugs seized as well as to give more information on the Five Point Generalz.