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Illegal drugs blamed for increase in Hamilton gun violence

Hamilton Police recently seized drugs and firearms as part of Project Phoenix.
Hamilton Police recently seized drugs and firearms as part of Project Phoenix. Hamilton Police Service

Another spike in gun violence in Hamilton is being blamed on the illegal drug trade.

The latest “cluster” of shootings happened last week, when police reported five such incidents.

READ MORE: Hamilton mayor calls increase in gun violence ‘very concerning’

Police superintendent Ryan Diodati, speaking on CHML’s Bill Kelly Show, says drugs are a motive behind most of them, adding that where criminals are getting the firearms is another concern.

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He notes that many are coming up from the United States or are being stolen during break-and-enters.

READ MORE: 80 charged as Hamilton police seize drugs and guns

There have been 29 shootings in Hamilton so far this year, surpassing last year’s total of 22 and more than doubling 2015’s total of 14.

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