Peel Regional Police have announced the largest drug seizure in the service’s history, uncovering a transnational trafficking operation that funnelled nearly half a tonne of cocaine into Canada.
The bust, which investigators say dismantled a sophisticated smuggling network using commercial trucks, led to the arrest of nine men from southern Ontario.
The men arrested and charged in this alleged trafficking operation include Hao Tommy Huynh (27, Mississauga), Sajgith Yogendrarajah (31, Toronto), Manpreet Singh (44, Brampton), Philip Tep (39, Hamilton), Arvinder Powar (29, Brampton), Karamjit Singh (36, Caledon), Gurtej Singh (36, Caledon), Sartaj Singh (27, Cambridge), and Shiv Onkar Singh (31, Georgetown).
The investigation, dubbed Project Pelican, began in June 2024 after Peel police uncovered a criminal network trafficking cocaine from the United States into the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Working in close collaboration with national and international partners, including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations, police tracked the illicit operation across the border and within Ontario.
Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah confirmed the significance of the case at a press conference on Tuesday, stating, “This seizure marks the largest drug seizure in the history of our service. Organized crime continues to exploit borders and pose serious threats to public safety. However, we remain firmly committed to working with our partners to protect our communities and enhance safety in our region and beyond.”
Key seizures included 127 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a trailer intercepted at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor on 11 February, and another 50 kilograms hidden in a truck stopped at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward, near Sarnia. Investigators said several other seizures were also made across the GTA in connection with the same smuggling network.
In total, police seized 479 kilograms of bricked cocaine — with an estimated street value of $47.9 million — along with two loaded semi-automatic firearms. All nine alleged suspects, aged between 27 and 44, are from communities across southern Ontario and face a combined total of 35 criminal charges related to drug trafficking and firearms offences.
Michael Kerzner, Ontario’s Solicitor General, praised the collaborative effort and its impact on community safety:
“Seizures like this make a huge difference in the wellbeing of our Ontario communities. Whenever we get illicit substances off our streets, we are quite literally saving lives and protecting Ontario.”
He added, “Project Pelican is proof of what police can accomplish when they have the tools and resources needed to keep our communities safe.
“Our government is proud to have supported Peel Regional Police through investments in the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario and the Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy.”
The CBSA also highlighted the significance of the joint effort. “These significant seizures and arrests demonstrate the strength of our collaboration with law enforcement partners on both sides of the border,” Michael Prosia, CBSA’s Regional Director General for Southern Ontario.
“Together, we are committed to dismantling organized crime groups and keeping harmful drugs out of our communities.”
Authorities say Project Pelican dealt a major blow to organised crime groups operating across North America, sending a clear message that Ontario will not tolerate drug trafficking within its borders.
It is reported that all nine individuals were held for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton. Of those arrested, six alleged suspects have since been granted bail with conditions, while the remaining three are currently awaiting their bail hearings.
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