Canadian authorities have arrested nine people, including seven men of Indian origin, in a major cocaine smuggling case in Ontario. PThe arrests came after a year-long investigation called Project Pelican, which uncovered a large-scale drug trafficking network. olice seized 479 kilograms of cocaine bricks valued at CAD $50 million (about ₹299.3 crore), making it the biggest drug seizure in Peel Regional Police’s history.

Peel police said the accused were caught while trying to move large amounts of cocaine into the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) from the United States. The network used commercial trucking routes between the US and Canada to hide and transport the drugs.

Investigators found links to US-based distributors, Mexican drug cartels, and even anti-India groups with Khalistani ties, according to sources.

The probe started in June 2024 and picked up pace by November. Peel Regional Police worked closely with several agencies, including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the US Drug Enforcement Administration, and the US Homeland Security’s Border Enforcement Task Force.

Key breakthroughs happened between February and May 2025:

  • At the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, officers found 127 kg of cocaine hidden in a trailer and arrested the truck driver.

  • At the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward, 50 kg of cocaine was found in another trailer, leading to another arrest.

Police also seized more drugs across the GTA and found loaded firearms during some of the arrests.

The following men were arrested and face a total of 35 charges related to firearms and drugs:

  • 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)

They were brought before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton for a bail hearing.

This case is part of a wider effort by Canadian authorities to crack down on drug smuggling, especially under pressure from the United States.

Earlier this year, Project Castillo led to the seizure of 835 kg of cocaine worth CAD $83 million. In separate cases:

  • Gaganpreet Randhawa was arrested in Canada’s biggest-ever drug lab bust.

  • Gurvarun Matharu was held in Surrey for allegedly trafficking 50 kg of cocaine.

Authorities are continuing to investigate links between these networks and international criminal groups.