Police say nine people are facing charges in connection with Project Pelican, a one-year investigation into a major drug trafficking criminal network. Peel Police handout photo
6/11/2025
A major transnational criminal network responsible for trafficking large quantities of cocaine into the Greater Toronto Area has been dismantled following the largest drug seizure in the history of the Peel region, police say.
A year-long investigation by Peel Regional Police known as Project Pelican led to the seizure of 479 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $47.9 million and the arrest of nine people, Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappa told reporters at a June 10 press conference.
The probe targeted a group of suspected drug traffickers who used commercial trucks to transport cocaine across the U.S. border into Canada.
“A transnational criminal network is no longer operating or flooding our communities with illicit drugs from the United States,” Duraiappa said. “This seizure marks the largest drug seizure in the history of our service.”
The investigation kicked off in June 2024 after police identified a group of individuals using commercial trucks to transport illegal drugs across the province’s southern border, Det.-Sgt. Earl Scott told reporters.
Investigators identified group members, commercial trucking companies, and storage facilities involved in a “well-organized criminal enterprise,” he said.
Related Stories
Ontario Police Unveil Record Fentanyl Bust, Takedown of Dark Web Drug Operation
6/10/2025
London Police Seize Record $2.7 Million Worth of Fentanyl, Close Down Home Drug Production Facility
5/28/2025
“Information shared with the CBSA led to the arrest of two parties charged here today at different border crossings,” Scott said. “In each case, large quantities of drugs were located within the cargo of the commercial trucks they were operating.”
The first seizure took place on Feb. 11, when Canada Border Services Agency officers halted a commercial truck crossing the Ambassador Bridge from Michigan into Windsor, he said. Officers found 127 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the trailer and arrested the driver.
A second truck was singled out on May 24 while it was attempting to cross the Blue Water Bridge near Sarnia, Ont. Fifty kilograms of cocaine was found hidden in the trailer and that driver was also arrested, Scott said.
A number of additional “large seizures” occurred in and around the GTA during the investigation with more than 60 officers executing a coordinated series of search warrants and arrests in Peel Region, Caledon, and the City of Toronto on June 6, Scott said.
Nine suspects now face a combined 35 criminal charges related to firearm and drug offences. The accused are Hao Tommy Huynh, 27, of Mississauga, Sajgith Yogendrarajah, 31, of Toronto, Sartaj Singh, 27, of Cambridge, Shiv Onkar Singh, 31, of Georgetown, and Philip Tep, 39, of Hamilton. Also facing charges are Brampton residents Manpreet Singh, 44, and Arvinder Powar, 29, and Caledon residents Karamjit Singh, 36, and Gurtej Singh, 36.
Duraiappah described the confiscations and arrests as a “seismic blow” to organized crime operating in the region.
“These drugs came from south of the border and were destined right here into Peel and the Greater Toronto Area and other communities in Canada,” he said. “This is a remarkable amount of work that was done by Peel Regional Police to dismantle this transnational organized crime.”
Peel Police are requesting anyone with information about the case to get in touch with the authorities or to send an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.
Jennifer Cowan
Author
Jennifer Cowan is a writer and editor with the Canadian edition of The Epoch Times.
Share
Leave a Reply