PEEL REGION, ON – In the largest drug seizure in Peel Regional Police history, nearly $50 million worth of cocaine has been intercepted and a major transnational organized crime network dismantled.
Dubbed Project Pelican, the months-long investigation began in June 2024, targeting an elaborate cocaine smuggling operation exploiting commercial trucking routes between the United States and Canada.
Working closely with national and international law enforcement partners, including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Peel Police were able to expose and shut down the trafficking pipeline feeding illicit drugs into the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Key seizures made between February and May 2025 included:
- 127 kg of cocaine hidden inside a trailer intercepted at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, resulting in the arrest of the driver.
- 50 kg of cocaine found in another truck at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward, again leading to an arrest.
- Additional seizures across the GTA, some involving suspects found with loaded firearms during arrest.
In total, police seized:
- 479 kg of bricked cocaine, with a street value of $47.9 million
- Two loaded, illegal semi-automatic handguns
Nine individuals have been arrested and face 35 charges related to drug trafficking and firearm offences:
- 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
- Shiv Onkar Singh, 31, Georgetown
All accused have been held for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.
Peel Police emphasized that the success of Project Pelican was made possible through funding from the Ontario Government’s Ministry of the Solicitor General, with critical support from Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario (CISO).
Authorities urge anyone with further information to contact Peel Police’s Specialized Enforcement Bureau at (905) 453-2121 Ext. 3515. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.
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