New Delhi: The Peel Regional Police conducted an operation, ‘Project Pelican’, and busted a big narco-terror network operating out of Canada. Those involved in the syndicate are said to be Khalistan sympathisers. The police have arrested 9 people in the case, 7 of whom are of Indian-origin.
Largest drug seizure: Police
The Peel Police said that they seized 479 kg of cocaine, valued at USD 47.9 million in the international market. This is the largest ever drug seizure from here, police said.
The police said that the network used commercial trucking routes between the US and Canada to transport the drugs. They also had connections with the Mexican cartels and US-based distributors, said investigators.
The proceeds from the drug sale were being used to fund anti-India activities, right from protests to referendums and buying weapons, reported Times of India, quoting sources. Investigators also linked the group to the activities of Pakistan’s ISI which is funding Khalistani groups in Canada to traffick high-value Mexican cocaine. They have also pushed for illegal sale of high-value Afghan-grown heroin.
The police identified those arrested as Sajgith Yogendrarajah, 31, of Toronto; Manpreet Singh, 44, of Brampton; Philip Tep, 39, of Hamilton; Arvinder Powar, 29 of Brampton; Karamjit Singh, 36, of Caledon; Gurtej Singh, 36, of Caledon; Sartaj Singh, 27, of Cambridge; Shiv Onkar Singh, 31, of Georgetown and Hao Tommy Huynh, a 27-year-old from Mississauga.
All of those arrested face 35 charges related to firearms and drug offences, said Canadian Police. The investigation into this case began in June 2024 and focused on a cocaine smuggling ring which used US-Canada commercial trucking routes. By November the Canadian police identified several individuals, trucking companies and storage sites linked to the drug trade. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the US Drug Enforcement Administration played an important role in tracking the movement of the smugglers.
Between Feb 2025 and May 2025, the police have made significant drug seizures. While 127 kg of cocaine was intercepted at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, another 50 kg was seized at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward, said Peel Police. Apart from these 2 areas, drug seizures were also reported from the Greater Toronto area. The people arrested during these raids were also carrying firearms illegally.
