Man charged in gang takedown removed GPS tracker before disappearing in Brampton: police

Police are searching for a man wanted in an investigation into a Toronto-area gang who investigators say was last seen in Brampton.

In June, York Regional Police announced multiple arrests under Project Lookout – an investigation into a “large-scale gun and drug trafficking network” called the Haywan Gang.

Over a dozen people including several from Brampton were charged in connection to the guns and drug busts, and investigators say one of the accused went missing in Brampton.

York police say Triston Lothian, 25, of Toronto has been charged with various firearm-related offences, as well as failing to comply with court-ordered firearm ban.

He was released on bail and placed on conditions, including wearing a GPS monitoring device.

But police say the accused removed the GPS tracker device on Nov. 6 and was last seen in the area of The Gore Road and Ebenezer Road in Brampton.

A warrant has been issued for his arrest and police are urging Lothian to turn himself in.

Lothian is described as a 25-year-old male standing approximately 5’11” with a medium build, black hair and brown eyes.

Police are asking anyone with information on Lothian’s whereabouts to contact investigators.

Officers recovered 18 guns, nearly 20 kilos of cocaine and 4.8 kilos of cannabis in the raids, along with MDMA, Xanax pills and oxycodone pills. The drugs had a street value of $2.5 million, police said.

Investigators alleged members and associates of the gang were supplied by others with “firearms and high-quality cocaine” that were then primarily trafficked in Vaughan. Project Lookout led to 33 search warrants across the GTA.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact the York Regional Police  by calling at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7817. Anonymous tips may also be provided to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous, never have to testify, and could receive a $2,000 reward.

– With files from Declan Finucane