$5.4 Million Drug Bust

(HAMILTON, ON) -An 11-month investigation into a drug trafficking network based in southwestern Ontario has resulted in the seizure of an alarming quantity of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. A total of 15 individuals are facing 140 charges under the Criminal Code (CC) and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA).

Launched in July 2024, Project GOLDEN was a London OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) intelligence-led initiative, with collaboration from the Norfolk County OPP Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), investigating drug trafficking activity in southwestern Ontario.

Due to the multi-jurisdictional scope of the drug network and the large volumes of drugs involved, in November 2024, responsibility for Project GOLDEN was assumed by the OPP OCEB, the OPP-led Provincial Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team (PGNG), the Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit (PAFU), and the Hamilton Police Service (HPS), with support from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

On May 28, 2025, search warrants were executed on 16 residences and businesses and eight vehicles in Oxford County, Norfolk County, Hamilton, Mississauga, York Region, Burlington and Toronto by members from:

• OPP OCEB
• OPP PGNG
• OPP PAFU
• OPP Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit
• OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit
• OPP Emergency Response Team
• OPP Forensic Identification Services
• OPP CSCU members in Oxford County, Haldimand County, Norfolk County, Wellington County, Essex County, Bruce County, Middlesex County and Brant County
• Hamilton Police Service
• RCMP
• Toronto Police Service Emergency Task Force
• Peel Regional Police Tactical and Rescue Unit
• Halton Regional Police Tactical Rescue Unit

As a result of the investigation, the following items with approximate quantities were seized:

• 38 kg of suspected fentanyl
• 19.5 kg of suspected methamphetamine
• 5.5 kg of suspected cocaine
• 34 g of psilocybin
• 14 g of suspected MDMA
• Three firearms, including two handguns and a rifle
• A prohibited weapon (brass knuckles)
• $121,600 in Canadian currency
• Three vehicles as offence-related property

The estimated street-value of the drugs seized is $5.4 million.

Illicit fentanyl can be imported from other source countries or domestically produced with precursor chemicals in clandestine laboratories. The investigation into the source of the illicit fentanyl in Project GOLDEN is ongoing. The fentanyl seized was enough for approximately 380,000 street-level doses – an amount capable of taking the lives of a moderately sized city. This is based on a dose of one point (0.1 grams) of fentanyl. Analysis shows the fentanyl seized through this investigation had been mixed and cut with other substances and was not pure fentanyl, meaning it varied in potency, which has been taken into consideration when estimating street-level doses.

Over 150,000 Monthly Readers! 1 Million+ Across the entire FreePress Network.