Updated: Wed Jul. 08 2009 11:52:40

ctvtoronto.ca

Toronto police have put 76 people under arrest after a lengthy drug investigation spurred by a community's complaints.

The arrests were made throughout 14 Division, located in the west end of the city. Police concentrated their efforts in the Parkdale, Niagara and Kensington neighbourhoods.

The arrests were part of a police project titled 'Escape' where officers posed undercover in an effort to buy drugs from street dealers. Det. Karen Chapman with 14 Division told a news conference Wednesday morning that police were able to buy drugs three dozen times.

Chapman said police seized 492 grams of cocaine, 611 grams of marijuana, 56 grams heroin, 113 grams of ecstasy, 164 tablets of oxycontin and 50 grams of ketamine along with $17,239 in cash.

The 76 people arrested face a total of 202 charges.

Of the 76 people arrested, 30 of them do not live within the boundaries of 14 Division, she said. Twenty-one of them were on probation at the time of their arrest. The arrested suspects have a total of 1,822 prior convictions.

Chapman said police began Project Escape after residents and businesses complained about drug dealers invading their neighbourhood.

"Neighbours see their kids playing in their yards and someone doing a drug deal on the sidewalk in front of them," she said, explaining the type of complaints that police received. "That's taking over the neighbourhood."

She said many people in 14 Division are transitional and don't have roots in the area. She said that creates a "visible disorder" in the community.

As a result of the project, there will be an increased police presence in the area and a concerted effort to check up on the suspects who have been released from police custody with conditions.

"The project doesn't mark the end of our effort to improve the quality of life in these neighbourhoods," said Det. Sgt. Brian Kelly.