A Georgetown man is among a group of suspects arrested in a major drug bust.
Peel Regional Police have taken down a major transnational criminal network trafficking cocaine into the Greater Toronto Area, following a nearly year-long investigation dubbed Project Pelican. The operation resulted in the largest drug seizure in the service’s history: 479 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of $47.9 million. It also led to the arrest of nine individuals across Ontario.
The investigation began in June 2024 and focused on cocaine smuggling via U.S.-Canada commercial trucking routes. In partnership with agencies including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations in Detroit, authorities tracked shipments and suspects through international cooperation. Significant seizures were made at both the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor and the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward, where drivers were arrested after border agents uncovered large quantities of concealed cocaine.
Peel officers also made additional arrests across the GTA, seizing drugs and loaded firearms. In total, nine men from Mississauga, Toronto, Brampton, Caledon, Hamilton, Cambridge, and Georgetown are facing 35 charges related to drug trafficking and firearms offences. Two illegal loaded semi-automatic handguns were also recovered.
“Thanks to the leadership of Peel Regional Police, and the support of national and international law enforcement agencies, along with the Government of Ontario, a transnational criminal network is no longer operating or flooding our communities with illicit drugs from the United States,” says Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah. “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.”
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Peel’s Specialized Enforcement Bureau at 905-453-2121 ext. 3515 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.
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