News
Project Zucaritas: Largest drug seizure in Peel Regional Police history

Oct. 26, 2022, Mississauga, Ont. – Peel Regional Police Specialized Enforcement Bureau (SEB), through funding provided by the Government of Ontario and Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario (C.I.S.O) were involved in an 11-month long investigation involving an intricate international drug trafficking enterprise. The investigation resulted in the seizure of illegal narcotics with a street value of over $25 million, including 182 kilograms of Methamphetamine, 166 kilograms of Cocaine and 38 kilograms of Ketamine.

In November 2021, SEB identified persons of interest related to the illegal distribution of illicit drugs in the Greater Toronto Area. Subsequent investigation identified a complex drug trafficking enterprise that spanned international borders.

Police investigation revealed that members of this group used commercial trucking businesses to transport drugs from the United States directly to the Region of Peel and surrounding areas of the Greater Toronto Area.

The 11-month investigation identified several group members at various levels of the organization. Investigators have also identified two transfer hubs allegedly involved in the distribution of illicit drugs.

To disrupt and dismantle this group, SEB liaised with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (H.S.I.) in Detroit and Chicago, and Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) in Buffalo.

“Guns, gangs and drugs are of the highest priority for our service. With funding from the C.I.S.O. and collaborations with the enforcement community, our investigators have made a significant impact to organized crime in our Region,” says Peel Regional Police Chief, Nishan Duraiappah. “I would like to thank our investigators and partners for their incredible work on Project Zucaritas. Their efforts have prevented significant amounts of dangerous narcotics from reaching our community.”