More than 30 people have been arrested and more than $24-million worth of assets have been seized by OPP

NEWS RELEASEONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE*************************Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and its investigative partners have laid more charges and charged additional persons after warrants were executed at a number of Ontario locations.

In December 2019, Project HOBART saw 18 police agencies and enforcement organizations combine to end an illegal gaming enterprise operated by and linked to members of known criminal organizations, including three members and one prospect member of the Hells Angels.

At the time,28people were charged with228offences and police seized or restrained$12-millionworth of residential properties, luxury and vintage automobiles and motorcycles, off-road vehicles, cash, gold and silver bars and jewellery.

On July 29, 2020, police and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)executed four (4) search warrants in London, Oakville, Toronto and Pickering and other judicial warrants at eight (8) locations in London, Toronto, Welland and Thornbury resulting in the seizure and/or restraint of$24-millionworth of assets including:

As a result of this ongoing investigation, four (4) additional persons are charged with offences contrary to theCriminal Codeincluding commission of offences for a criminal organization, bookmaking, proceeds of crime, money laundering and tax evasion.

Three (3) other persons are charged with money laundering and proceeds of cCrime. In addition to his previous charges, Hells Angels member Robert Barletta was re-arrested and charged with money laundering and fraud (related to tax evasion) against the Government of Canada.

His tax evasion charges were also amended to reflect a greater taxable benefit.One person is additionally charged with two counts of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking/Selling contrary to theControlled Drugs and Substance Actand theCannabis Act.All eight (8) accused are expected to answer charges at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton on Sept.17, 2020.

Two local men were among those charged.

Michael Curtis, 37, of Collingwood was charged with laundering proceeds of crime, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. He wasreleased and will make his first court appearance Sept. 17, 2020

Douglas Adams, 58, of Thornbury was also charged with laundering proceeds of crime, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. He wasreleased and will make his first court appearance Sept. 17, 2020

The broader investigation and active takedowns have involved members of OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), Biker Enforcement Unit (BEU), the Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit, the RCMP, London Police Service, Niagara Regional Police, Halton Regional Police Service, Canada Revenue Agency, Peel Regional Police, Toronto Police Service, York Regional Police, Waterloo Regional Police Service, Hamilton Police Service, Durham Regional Police Service, Sault Ste. Marie Police, Barrie Police Service, Canada Border Services Agency, Stratford Police Service, Woodstock Police Service, the Sret du Qubec and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).

QUOTE "Police and our partner agencies are again demonstrating that we are relentless in our pursuit of criminal organizations and their leaders, their associates and their criminal lifestyle, ensuring the safety of our communities." - Chief Superintendent Kari DART, Commander, OPP Investigation and Support Bureau.

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Local men arrested in connection with illegal gambling ring - OrilliaMatters