Six Indo-Canadians of Punjabi descent are among nine individuals arrested in a record-breaking drug bust by Peel Regional Police, involving 479 kilograms of bricked cocaine valued at $47.9 million. This milestone seizure marks the largest in the department’s history and caps a year-long investigation into an international crime syndicate smuggling drugs into the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
The operation, dubbed Project Pelican, was a joint effort between Peel Regional Police and several national and international agencies, including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.
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Arrests and Charges
On June 6, the following individuals were arrested and charged with a total of 35 offences, ranging from drug trafficking to firearms violations:
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Manpreet Singh (44), Brampton
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Karamjit Singh (36), Caledon
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Gurtej Singh (36), Caledon
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Sartaj Singh (27), Cambridge
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Shiv Onkar Singh (31), Georgetown
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Arvinder Powar (29), Brampton
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Sajgith Yogendrarajah (31), Toronto
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Hao Tommy Huynh (27), Mississauga
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Philip Tep (39), Hamilton
Authorities also recovered two loaded semi-automatic handguns during the arrests.
Investigation Timeline and Key Seizures
The investigation began in June 2023, when Peel police identified a cocaine smuggling network operating through U.S.-Canada commercial trucking routes. By November, with help from cross-border agencies, they had identified suspects, trucking companies, and key storage locations.
Between February and May 2025, intelligence led to two major drug seizures:
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127 kg of cocaine at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor
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50 kg of cocaine at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward
Both shipments were hidden inside commercial truck trailers. Additional seizures across the GTA linked suspects to firearms possession.
Praise from Officials
Michael Prosia, CBSA Regional Director General for Southern Ontario, commended the multi-agency effort:
“These significant seizures and arrests demonstrate the strength of our collaboration with law enforcement partners on both sides of the border.”
Ontario Solicitor General Michael S. Kerzner added:
“Project Pelican is proof of what police can accomplish when they have the tools and resources needed to keep our communities safe.”
Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah highlighted the operation’s scale:
“This marks the largest drug seizure in the history of our service. Organised crime continues to exploit borders and pose serious threats to public safety. We remain firmly committed to protecting our communities.”
Funding and Support
Project Pelican received financial backing from Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General through the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario and the Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy.
