FOG BLOG JUSTICE LOG: INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATION/ HUNDREDS OF CHARGES, GUN SEIZURES IN TORONTO!

Hundreds of charges laid, 173 guns seized in firearm trafficking operation, police say 42 people arrested, 442 criminal charges laid Dozens of people have been arrested and hundreds of criminal charges laid, police say, in connection with with a yearlong investigation into cross-border gun trafficking.

At a news conference hosted by Toronto police Tuesday morning, investigators announced the arrest of 42 people, 442 criminal charges laid and the seizure of 173 guns in Canada and the United States. Three of those arrested are youths, police say.

The joint forces investigation was conducted by Toronto police, York Regional Police, Durham Regional Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, the Canada Border Services Agency and the American Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

"We are all battling the same challenges, illegal guns coming from the United States," York Regional Police Deputy Chief Alvaro Almeida said at the press conference.

87 guns seized in U.S., 86 in Canada

In one instance, 87 handguns destined for Canada were seized in Chicago, according to police. The guns were covered in bubble wrap, wrapped in holiday paper and hidden in suitcases.

An additional 86 firearms were seized in the GTA.

Of the 42 Canadians arrested, over half were from Toronto, police say. Others were from Barrie, Ont., Pickering, Ont., Whitby, Ont. and Winnipeg.

"One firearm, one round, results in the death of a person on our streets, so this is a very significant seizure," said Toronto police Supt. Steven Watts.