A Kitchener man is among the 21 individuals charged in a multi-jurisdictional, cross-border drug seizure carried out this week that’s being touted a ‘significant disruption’ to Ontario’s illegal drug supply chain.
The joint investigation dubbed ‘Project Bay’ started back in January of 2025; Windsor Police began a drug-trafficking investigation, eventually collaborating with the Canada Border Services Agency in February of that year to help advance the investigation to identify a “cross-border trafficking network”
That investigation eventually grew to include the engagement of the Ontario Provincial Police and other law enforcement partners, as well as U.S. agencies including Homeland Security Investigations and the DEA.
In a news conference on Thursday, OPP explained that the investigation had revealed the use of a “broker-style model” in the commercial transportation sector, using connections to move illegal drugs with drivers that would knowingly move “illicit commodities” within legitimate supply chains.
Just a month ago on June 25, the Canadian Border Services Agency said 18 different search warrants were carried out at homes and businesses across Brampton, Kleinburg, Corunna, LaSalle and Windsor by members of 14 different law enforcement units. Four more search warrants were carried out this month including in Markham and Caledon on July 14, and two in Brampton on July 20.
As a result of those search warrants, officers were able to seize:
- 973 kg of suspected cocaine
- 660 kg of suspected methamphetamine
- 49 kg of suspected opium
- 230 oxycodone tablets (5 mg)
- 17 firearms including an anti-tank rifle
- Ammunition
- Prohibited devices and weapons including brass knuckles, magazines and baton
- $80,000 of Canadian currency
- $10,000 of US currency
- One vehicle as offence-related property
- High-end jewellery
- Money counters
- 43 cell phones and six laptops
A release from the Canadian Border Services Agency has estimated the street value of the drugs seized to be more than $139 million dollars.
21 people have been charged with a total of 104 offenses under the Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Nineteen of those individuals have been arrested, while two are still outstanding with arrest warrants issued.
Among the accused is 33-year-old Harjwinder Sandhu, of Kitchener. Sandhu faces two charges including conspiracy to import cocaine and conspiracy to possess cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. Released on bail, he is scheduled to be in court in Sarnia on July 29.
You can review a full list of those charged here.
The investigation into the source and full scope of the drug trafficking network targeted in Project Bay is still ongoing.
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