A joint police operation has dismantled a drug and weapons ring operating out of Ottawa, Toronto and Almonte, Ont.

Police showed off the guns seized as part of Project Sleepwalker. (Steve Fischer/CBC) Ottawa police, the RCMP and the OPP executed 20 search warrants between Dec. 5 and Dec. 7, including 16 in Ottawa, three in the Almonte area and one in Toronto.

They charged 22 people with a total of 226 charges as part of the 18-month investigation, dubbed "Project Sleepwalker."

Police seized $2.7 million in heroin, cocaine and crystal meth and other drugs and confiscated 14 guns, including an AK-47 assault rifle, revolvers and and long guns. Police also seized another $2.5 million cash, assets and precious metals, including gold and silver bars from two Ottawa addresses.

The investigation began after complaints in the Ottawa neighbourhood of Vanier about the prostitution and drug dealing in their neighbourhood.

Police described the organization as street-level and not linked to organized crime or biker gangs.

Police chief Vern White says the residents of Vanier deserve praise for their help in taking down the organization.

"This is one of the most important drug investigations in Ottawa over the past 20 years," said White.