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Concerted efforts and campaigns have helped Peel Regional Police to dismantle a transnational organized criminal network trafficking illicit drugs into the Greater Toronto Area. It has led to the arrest of nine members of the gang, including some of Indian descent. 

Working in close coordination with national and international partners, including the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Border Enforcement Task Force in Detroit, Peel Regional Police have claimed successful completion of Project Pelican, leading to the largest drug seizure in the service’s history – with nearly $50 million worth of cocaine recovered.

It has been the most significant drug seizure in the history of Peel Regional Police. As a part of Project Pelican, nine men have been arrested in connection with the investigation, leading to 35 charges related to firearm and drug offences.

Those arrested 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 smuggling of drugs across international US-Canada borders has been an issue of discord between the two neighbours for a long time, as Canada has been promising from time to time to strengthen its border vigil.

Investigations started in June 2024. Peel Regional Police began investigating a cocaine smuggling operation using U.S.-Canada commercial trucking routes. By November, working with partners including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Border Enforcement Task Force in Detroit, multiple individuals, trucking companies, and storage sites linked to the operation were identified.

Between February and May 2025, information from Peel Regional Police led to the CBSA intercepting a commercial truck at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, which led to the seizure of 127 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the trailer and the arrest of the driver. The CBSA intercepted another truck at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward, leading to the seizure of 50 kilograms of cocaine hidden within the trailer and the arrest of the driver, with support from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Additional seizures were also made across the GTA in connection with commercial trucking by Peel Regional Police, some of which included individuals in possession of loaded firearms at the time of arrest.

During the investigation, the investigating agencies seized 479 kilograms of bricked cocaine, with an estimated street value of $47.9m, and two illegally loaded semi-automatic handguns.

The accused were held for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.

The successful completion of Project Pelican was made possible through funding provided by the Ontario Government, Ministry of the Solicitor General, with support from the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario in this investigation.

“Protecting Ontario doesn’t mean anything — it means absolutely everything. Project Pelican is a testament to what police can accomplish when they have the necessary tools and resources 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. This historic seizure sends a clear message to organized crime: you will find no haven in Ontario,” says Michael S. Kerzner, Solicitor General of Ontario.

“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. 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,” Chief Nishan Duraiappah, Peel Regional Police, said after the successful completion of the Project Pelican.

“These significant seizures and arrests demonstrate the strength of our collaboration with law enforcement partners on both sides of the border. Together, we are committed to dismantling organized crime groups and keeping harmful drugs out of our communities,” concluded Michael Prosia, Regional Director General – Southern Ontario, Canada Border Services Agency.