Police Seize 300 Kilograms of Cocaine in Multi-City Crackdown on Organized Crime
A months-long investigation into a major drug trafficking network in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has led to the seizure of 300 kilograms of cocaine, valued at approximately $29 million, and the arrest of four individuals, including a Mexican national wanted by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
Dubbed Project Shearwater, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Provincial Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team launched the probe in September 2024 after identifying high-level drug trafficking activity linked to organized crime. Between December 13, 2024, and January 17, 2025, police executed six search warrants across Toronto, Mississauga, Ajax, Markham, and Gravenhurst, uncovering massive quantities of cocaine and leading to multiple arrests.
Among the arrested individuals, one suspect was already the subject of an immigration removal warrant issued by CBSA. Meanwhile, a fifth suspect, 38-year-old Brian Nelson of Toronto, remains at large, with an arrest warrant issued for conspiracy to commit an indictable offense.
OPP Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart praised the operation as a significant blow to criminal networks, emphasizing the relentless efforts of law enforcement in disrupting the flow of illegal drugs.
“These investigators work countless hours to preserve the safety of our province by deterring, detecting, and dismantling organized crime,” Stoddart stated.
The Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit has now launched a financial investigation to track and seize assets linked to the drug trade, ensuring criminal organizations cannot profit from their illegal activities.
This high-profile bust follows another historic operation in January 2025, when Toronto police seized $83 million worth of cocaine in a case connected to a Mexican drug cartel, known as Project Castillo. The two cases underscore the ongoing battle against international drug trafficking networks operating within Canada.