Canada Police seize drugs worth $139 million, Indian-origin truck drivers among 21 arrested

PTC News Desk: Several Indian-origin truck drivers were among 19 people arrested after Canadian authorities busted a major cross-border drug trafficking network in Ontario. Officials also seized nearly 1.7 tonnes of illegal drugs worth about $139 million, including suspected cocaine, methamphetamine, and opium. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) described it as one of the largest drug seizures ever made in a single investigation in Ontario.

The operation, called Project Bay, began in January 2025 to stop the smuggling of illegal drugs across the Canada-US border. Investigators found that the group used commercial trucks to transport large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and opium between the two countries.

According to the CBSA, the network operated through a broker-style system, using contacts in the trucking industry to arrange for drivers who knowingly transported drugs while appearing to carry legitimate commercial goods.

Police carried out raids at 22 locations across Ontario, including Windsor, LaSalle, Corunna, Brampton, Markham, and Caledon, leading to the arrest of 19 suspects.

The accused of Indian origin include Gagandeep Thindal, Simranjit Singh, Kanwarpal Kular, Jatinderpal Singh, Jaswinder Sohi, Tejvinder Sandhu, Harjvinder Sandhu, Tarminder Singh, Gundeep Tariwal, Mehakpreet Singh, and Karandeep Singh.

During the investigation, authorities seized 973 kg of cocaine, 660 kg of methamphetamine, 49 kg of opium, and 230 oxycodone tablets.

Police also recovered 17 weapons, including an anti-tank rifle, along with cash, luxury jewellery, money-counting machines, a vehicle allegedly used by the group, 43 mobile phones, and six laptops.

The investigation was supported by several US agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).