Police Seize $29M Worth of Cocaine in Major Crackdown on Trafficking Network Across GTA

A sweeping investigation into drug trafficking across 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 immigration authorities.

The operation, dubbed “Project Shearwater,” was launched in September 2024 after the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) identified signs of large-scale drug trafficking. Over a four-month period, investigators honed in on a suspected network operating in multiple cities, reflecting the increasing role of transnational crime in Canada’s illicit drug trade.

Nearly 300 kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of $29M seized following a five-month intelligence-led investigation into high-level drug trafficking activity. Five people face numerous criminal charges.

Initiated by members of the #OPP Provincial Guns and Gangs… pic.twitter.com/4AKXVGrB1Z

— Ontario Provincial Police (@OPP_News) February 3, 2025

Between December 13, 2024, and January 17, 2025, law enforcement officials executed six search warrants across Toronto, Mississauga, Ajax, Markham, and Gravenhurst. These raids resulted in the confiscation of the substantial cocaine haul, adding to mounting concerns over the GTA’s role as a hub for international drug trafficking.

Authorities confirmed that four suspects now face 11 criminal charges, including possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine. Among them is a Mexican national who was already subject to an immigration warrant for removal, intensifying the case’s legal complexities.

Additionally, a warrant has been issued for 38-year-old Toronto resident Brian Nelson, who remains at large and is wanted for conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

OPP Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart praised the investigators, calling the bust “a significant seizure as a result of excellent investigative work.”

“These investigators work countless hours to preserve the safety of our province by deterring, detecting, and disrupting criminal activity, keeping our communities safe and secure,” Stoddart stated.

Beyond drug enforcement, the Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit is stepping in to trace financial elements linked to the operation, potentially leading to the seizure of additional illicit assets.

This high-profile drug bust comes just weeks after Toronto Police made history with Project Castillo, seizing a staggering $83 million worth of cocaine—the largest in the city’s history. That case was linked to a Mexican cartel, further underscoring concerns over Canada’s vulnerability to international drug syndicates.

With two record-breaking drug busts in the span of a month, law enforcement agencies are ramping up efforts to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs into Canadian cities—a challenge that continues to evolve as traffickers adapt their methods.