Latest news with #HaoTommyHuynh
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
Canada's Project Pelican: 7 Indian-Origin Men Held For Smuggling Cocaine Worth $48 Million
Show Quick Read Summary is AI-generated, newsroom-reviewed Nine people, including seven Indian-origin men, have been arrested in Canada's Ontario over the alleged smuggling of cocaine and possession of arms. The police action came following a year-long probe under the project 'Pelican', which led to a seizure of 479 kg of cocaine bricks worth CAD $50 million (approximately Rs 299.3 crore). According to Peel Regional Police, the nine accused were arrested while they were trying to smuggle cocaine into the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) from the US. The drug bust was the largest one in the department's history. The drug trafficking network was linked to anti-India activities and had Khalistani links, according to sources. The probe found the network exploited commercial trucking routes between the US and Canada to transport narcotics. They have ties to Mexican cartels and US-based distributors, the Peel police said. What Probe Found The investigation into the cocaine smuggling operation started in June 2024. By November, Peel Regional Police was working with partners, including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the US Drug Enforcement Administration, and the US Homeland Security Investigations Border Enforcement Task Force in Detroit and identified multiple individuals, trucking companies, and storage sites linked to the operation. Project Pelican marks the largest drug bust in our service's history, with nearly $50 million in cocaine seized and a major transnational organized crime network dismantled. This success was made possible through @PeelPolice 's outstanding collaboration with @CanBorder, DEA,… — Peel Regional Police (@PeelPolice) June 10, 2025 Between February and May 2025, CBSA intercepted a commercial truck at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, which led to the seizure of 127 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the trailer and the arrest of the driver. Probe agencies also intercepted another truck at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward, which led to the seizure of 50 kilograms of cocaine hidden within the trailer and the arrest of the driver, with support from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Additional seizures were also made across the GTA in connection with commercial trucking by Peel Regional Police, some of which included individuals in possession of loaded firearms at the time of arrest. Who Are The Accused As of June 6, nine men were arrested and charged in connection with the investigation, totalling 35 charges related to firearm and drug offences. The arrested individuals included 27-year-old Mississauga resident Hao Tommy Huynh, 39-year-old Hamilton resident Philip Tep, 31-year-old Toronto resident Sajgith Yogendrarajah, 44-year-old Brampton resident Manpreet Singh, 29-year-old Brampton resident Arvinder Powar, 36-year-old Caledon resident Karamjit Singh, 36-year-old Caledon resident Gurtej Singh, 27-year-old Cambridge resident Sartaj Singh, and 31-year-old Georgetown resident Shiv Onkar Sing. The accused were held for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton, police said in a statement. Canada's Crackdown On Drug Smuggling The arrests came amid Canadian authorities' crackdown on international drug trafficking networks amid US pressure. The Trump administration has imposed tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico, calling it a response to cross-border smuggling of fentanyl into the US along with illegal immigration. Earlier this year, under Project Castillo, Toronto Police seized 835 kg of cocaine worth an estimated $83 million on the streets that was destined for Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). In November last year, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested Indian-origin Gaganpreet Randhawa in what was termed the 'largest' drug lab bust at the time. The same month, another Indian-origin man, Gurvarun Matharu, was arrested in Surrey over charges of trafficking 50 kilograms of cocaine.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Canada Police claim record drug bust, seize 479 kg of drugs; 6 Punjabis among accused
In the largest drug seizure in its history, the police in Canada's Peel said they have dismantled a transnational cocaine trafficking ring that was smuggling bricks of the illicit drug into the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) through commercial trucks crossing from the US. The Peel police arrested nine men, who now face 35 charges after nearly half a tonne of cocaine worth $47.9 million and two loaded semi-automatic firearms were seized from them. The accused — aged 27 to 44 and hailing from Mississauga, Brampton, Toronto, Caledon, Hamilton, Georgetown, and Cambridge — were held for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton. The arrested men have been identified Hao Tommy Huynh, 27, from Mississauga; Sajgith Yogendrarajah, 31, from Toronto; Manpreet Singh, 44, from Brampton; Philip Tep, 39, from Hamilton; Arvinder Powar, 29, from Brampton; Karamjit Singh and Gurtej Singh, both 36 and residents of Caledon, Sartaj Singh, 27, from Cambridge, and Georgetown resident Shiv Onkar Singh, 31. Codenamed Project Pelican, the investigation began in June 2024, and officers found out about a sophisticated operation exploiting commercial transport routes from the United States into Canada. With assistance from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), US Homeland Security, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Peel police traced the syndicate across borders and cities. The police said that the first major breakthrough came on February 11, when a commercial truck crossing into Windsor, Ontario, from Michigan was intercepted at the Ambassador Bridge. CBSA officers found 127 kilogram of cocaine hidden in the trailer. A second seizure occurred at Blue Water Bridge near Sarnia, uncovering 50 kg more. Subsequent raids across GTA linked to the same operation led to further seizures, including drugs and firearms. In total, police seized 479 kilograms of cocaine, much of it tightly packed into 'bricks', as well as two illegally loaded semi-automatic handguns. 'This seizure marks the largest drug seizure in the history of our service. Organised crime continues to exploit borders and pose serious threats to public safety. However, we remain firmly committed to working with our partners to protect our communities and enhance safety in our region and beyond,' said Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah. Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner lauded the takedown. 'Project Pelican is proof of what police can accomplish when they have the tools and resources needed to keep our communities safe. This historic seizure sends a clear message to organised crime: you will find no safe haven in Ontario.' Michael Prosia, Regional Director General, CBSA (Southern Ontario division), added, 'These significant seizures and arrests demonstrate the strength of our collaboration with law enforcement partners on both sides of the border. Together, we are committed to dismantling organised crime groups and keeping harmful drugs out of our communities.' The operation was supported through funding from the Ontario Government's Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy, and Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Six Indo-Canadians among 9 arrested in drug seizure worth $36.5mn
Toronto: Nine people, including six Indo-Canadians, have been arrested and charged in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in what local law enforcement described as 'largest drug seizure' in the history of the region. The arrests were made in connection with a transnational cocaine smuggling network, and the operation, 'Project Pelican', was undertaken by the Peel Regional Police (PRP), working with partners including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the US Drug Enforcement Administration, and US Homeland Security Investigations Border Enforcement Task Force in Detroit. 'The investigation, Project Pelican, marks the largest drug seizure in the service's history – with nearly CAD 50 million ($36.5 million) worth of cocaine seized,' a release from PRP said. Authorities seized 479 kg of bricked cocaine along with two illegal semi-automatic loaded handguns. The investigation started in June 2024. In June 2024, with police probing the ring that was using US-Canada commercial trucking routes, and by November, 'multiple individuals, trucking companies, and storage sites linked to the operation were identified.' As of June 6, nine accused have been arrested and face in total, 35 charges related to firearm and drug offences. They were identified as Hao Tommy Huynh, a 27-year-old resident of Mississauga, Sajgith Yogendrarajah, 31, from Toronto, Manpreet Singh, 44, from Brampton, Philip Tep, 39, from Hamilton, Arvinder Powar, 29, from Brampton, Karamjit Singh, 36, from Caledon, Gurtej Singh, 36, from Caledon, Sartaj Singh 27, from Cambridge and Shiv Onkar Singh, 31, from Georgetown. Between February and May 2025, CBSA intercepted a commercial truck at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, leading to the seizure of 127 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in the trailer and the arrest of the driver, and agency, supported by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), intercepted another truck at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward, which led to the seizure of 50 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden within the trailer and the arrest of the driver. 'Additional seizures were also made across the GTA in connection with commercial trucking by Peel Regional Police, some of which included individuals in possession of loaded firearms at the time of arrest,' the release added. 'This seizure marks the largest drug seizure in the history of our service. Organised crime continues to exploit borders and pose serious threats to public safety. However, we remain firmly committed to working with our partners to protect our communities and enhance safety in our region and beyond,' PRP chief Nishan Duraiappah said. Michael Prosia, CBSA's Regional Director General – Southern Ontario, noted, 'These significant seizures and arrests demonstrate the strength of our collaboration with law enforcement partners on both sides of the border. Together, we are committed to dismantling organized crime groups and keeping harmful drugs out of our communities.'
