Massive drug bust worth ₹299 crore uncovers cross-border smuggling network with cartel ties and Khalistani links
Nine individuals, including seven men of Indian origin, have been arrested in Ontario, Canada for allegedly smuggling 479 kilograms of cocaine into the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The seizure, valued at CAD $50 million (approx. ₹299.3 crore), marks the largest cocaine bust in the history of Peel Regional Police, who spearheaded the year-long investigation under Project Pelican, reported ndtv.com.
Cocaine smuggling network used trucking routes from the US to Canada; links traced to Mexican cartels, US drug distributors and Khalistani elements.
According to officials, the group smuggled drugs using commercial trucks crossing the US-Canada border, in coordination with Mexican drug cartels and US-based distributors. Canadian sources have also flagged potential Khalistani affiliations connected to the smuggling network.
The investigation began in June 2024, and by November, Peel Regional Police had teamed up with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and US Homeland Security Investigations. Their surveillance pinpointed individuals, trucking companies, and storage locations associated with the operation
Significant seizures included:
- 127 kg of cocaine at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor
- 50 kg of cocaine at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward
- Additional busts across the GTA, where some accused were found carrying loaded firearms
Those arrested as of June 6 include:
- Hao Tommy Huynh (27, Mississauga)
- Philip Tep (39, Hamilton)
- Sajgith Yogendrarajah (31, Toronto)
- Manpreet Singh (44, Brampton)
- Arvinder Powar (29, Brampton)
- Karamjit Singh (36, Caledon)
- Gurtej Singh (36, Caledon)
- Sartaj Singh (27, Cambridge)
- Shiv Onkar Sing (31, Georgetown)
Collectively, they face 35 charges related to firearms and narcotics trafficking. The accused appeared for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.
This major operation comes amid increasing US pressure on Canadian authorities to disrupt international drug networks, especially in the wake of fentanyl-related crises. Earlier this year, Project Castillo resulted in an 835 kg cocaine seizure in Toronto, and several Indian-origin suspects have been previously arrested in other drug operations, including Gaganpreet Randhawa and Gurvarun Matharu.
