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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Project Pelican: Canada police busts drug racket financing anti-India activities, arrest nine
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Peel Regional Police in Canada undertook Project Pelican to bust a large nacro-terror network based out of the country. Individuals suspected to be Khalistan sympethisers have been caught, ToI operation led to the largest ever drug seizure in Canada with 479 kg of cocaine valued at $47.9 million. Further, nine people, including seven Indian-origin men settled in Canada have been investigation found that the network used commercial trucking routes from the US to Canada and had ties with Mexican cartels and US-based distributors, the Peel police money from the drugs was being used to finance anti-India activities , including protests and referendums besides funding for weapons, sources told reported that intelligence sources pointed towards an ISI-backed plan where Khalistani groups in Canada are being funded to traffic high value Mexican cocaine. The ISI has also been been accused of pushing Afghan-grown arrested men include 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 accused face a total of 35 charges related to firearm and drug offences, the Canadian police December 2024, two Canadian nationals of Indian origin were arrested when US Illinois State Police found over 1,000 pounds of cocaine in their Volvo truck. This alerted the investigators to the smuggling ring involving ISI which promoted illegal poppy cultivation in Afghanistan to help Taliban fight the US and Afghan under Operation Pelican began in June last year and focussed on a cocaine smuggling racket using US-Canada commercial trucking November, multiple individuals, trucking companies, and storage sites linked to the operation were identified with the help of Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the US Drug Enforcement February and May this year, significant seizures were made, including 127 kg of cocaine at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor and 50 kg at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward, the Peel police said in a seizures were made across the Greater Toronto area, with some individuals arrested in possession of loaded firearms."A total of 479 kg of bricked cocaine, worth an estimated $47.9 million, was seized, along with two illegal loaded semi-automatic handguns. The accused were held for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton," the Peel police S Kerzner, solicitor general of Ontario, praised the operation, stating, "Project Pelican is proof of what police can accomplish when they have the tools and resources needed to keep our communities safe."
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First Post
a day ago
- Politics
- First Post
Project Pelican: Canada cracks down on drug trafficking network linked to anti-India activities
Canadian police have uncovered a major drug and terror network with suspected Khalistan links in a major operation named Project Pelican. The crackdown led to the country's largest-ever cocaine seizure, with nine people arrested for smuggling and funding anti-India activities. read more Mark Carney, Canada's Prime Minister, called for the April 28 election in March. Reuters/File Photo In a major crackdown, Canadian police have busted a large drug and terror network with suspected links to Khalistan supporters. Called Project Pelican, the investigation by Peel Regional Police led to Canada's biggest-ever drug seizure – 479 kg of cocaine worth $47.9 million. Nine people, including seven Indian-origin men living in Canada, have been arrested. According to police, the group used commercial trucking routes between the US and Canada, with connections to Mexican drug cartels and US-based distributors. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sources said money from the drug trade was being used to fund anti-India activities like protests, referendums, and weapons purchases. Intelligence agencies suspect Pakistan's ISI is backing the network, using Khalistani groups in Canada to smuggle Mexican cocaine and Afghan heroin. Those arrested include Sajgith Yogendrarajah (31), Manpreet Singh (44), Philip Tep (39), Arvinder Powar (29), Karamjit Singh (36), Gurtej Singh (36), Sartaj Singh (27), Shiv Onkar Singh (31), and Hao Tommy Huynh (27). This is a developing story.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Project Pelican: Canada busts drug racket financing anti-India activities
NEW DELHI: Project Pelican, a major investigation conducted by Peel Regional Police, has busted a big narco-terror network based out of Canada and individuals suspected to be Khalistan sympathisers. While the operation led to the largest ever drug seizure there with 479 kg of cocaine valued at $47.9 million, nine individuals including seven Indian-origin men settled in Canada have been arrested. The investigation has revealed that the network exploited commercial trucking routes from the US to Canada, with ties to Mexican cartels and US-based distributors, the Peel police said. The proceeds from drug trafficking were being used to finance anti-India activities, including protests and referendums besides funding for weapons, sources said. Intelligence sources pointed towards an ISI-backed plan where Khalistani groups in Canada are being funded to traffick high value Mexican cocaine. The ISI has also been been found pushing Afghan-grown heroin. The arrested men include 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. They face a total of 35 charges related to firearm and drug offences, the Canadian police said. Last Dec, two Canadian nationals of Indian origin were arrested when US Illinois State Police found over 1,000 pounds of cocaine in their Volvo truck: something which alerted the investigators to the smuggling ring involving ISI which patronised illegal poppy cultivation in Afghanistan to help Taliban fight the US and Afghan troops. The current investigation began in June 2024, focusing on a cocaine smuggling operation using US-Canada commercial trucking routes. By Nov, multiple individuals, trucking companies, and storage sites linked to the operation were identified with the help of Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Significant seizures were made between Feb and May 2025, including 127 kg of cocaine at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor and 50 kg at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward, the Peel police said in a statement. Additional seizures were made across the Greater Toronto area, with some individuals arrested in possession of loaded firearms. "A total of 479 kg of bricked cocaine, worth an estimated $47.9 million, was seized, along with two illegal loaded semi-automatic handguns. The accused were held for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton," the Peel police said. Michael S Kerzner, solicitor general of Ontario, praised the operation, stating, "Project Pelican is proof of what police can accomplish when they have the tools and resources needed to keep our communities safe."
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.'
