Provincial police have made dozens of arrests following an investigation into alleged drug trafficking rings operating across southwestern Ontario.

The investigation – dubbed Project Pinecreek and aimed at cocaine and methamphetamine distributors in Huron, Perth and Lambton counties – began in 2012 and was ramped up in July.

Over the past week, 11 search warrants were executed at various locations in those three counties.

“Thousands of dollars have been taken out of the hands of criminal enterprises,” Det. Insp. Steve Clegg said Friday at a news conference in London.

“This investigation clearly demonstrates that we do work together to keep our community safe.”

Of the 33 people charged by OPP in Project Pinecreek, 27 reside in Huron County.

Guelph Police also made three arrests as part of the investigation – taking two residents of that city and one Kitchener man into custody on Sunday, following a search at an Eramosa Road home.

Most of the accused face charges relating to drug trafficking and drug possession, but police say they also seized prohibited weapons and stolen property including bicycles, tools, an ATV, a motorcycle and a pickup truck.

Seized drugs include 46 pounds of marijuana, 21 ounces of meth, 132 grams of cocaine, 32 grams of hydromorphone powder and 423 pills.

In total, the seized drugs have an estimated street value of more than $120,000.

Clegg said the operation has likely made a significant impact on the meth supply line to Perth, Huron and Lambton – where tighter rules around OxyContin painkillers have made meth a more prevalent concern.

In other parts of the province, former Oxy users have turned to fentanyl as a replacement for painkiller abuse.

“The demand for opioids is always out there,” said Clegg.

“That’s the unfortunate reality.”

Further charges are possible in connection with Project Pinecreek, Clegg said.