ONTARIO-The OPP has announced the results of two major investigations that resulted in a historic seizure of fentanyl, along with a large quantity of cocaine, methamphetamine and prescription drugs.
The combined efforts of two investigations, Project BIONIC and Project GOLDEN, resulted in the seizure of approximately 43.5 kilograms of fentanyl, which equates to roughly 435,000 potentially lethal street-level doses. To put that into perspective, a population of 435,000 would be the 5th largest urban population centre in the Province of Ontario. Investigators have been conservative with street-level dose estimates, as dose size is subjective and varies from one individual to another. The fentanyl seized through these investigations was mixed with other substances, which has been taken into consideration when estimating street-level doses.
Project BIONIC was a five-month investigation, which aimed at dismantling an operation that used a dark web marketplace to ship a high volume of drugs to locations across the country. This investigation is a first of its kind for the OPP.
“Project BIONIC exposed the alarming volume of dangerous drugs being sold through dark web marketplaces, with packages shipped across the country. These arrests show that law enforcement can track and stop even the most complex online trafficking operations. This investigation also plainly demonstrates the connections between drug trafficking and other crimes, such auto theft and illegal firearms. This seizure is a major step in dismantling drug networks – whether online or on the street – and reflects the OPP’s ongoing commitment to public safety.”said OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique.
Officers seized the following items:
- A handgun, an extended magazine and ammunition
- Approximately $95,000 in Canadian currency
- Electronic devices
- A stolen 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider convertible valued at more than $400,000
- Fraudulent licence plates
- Reprogrammable key fobs
- A diagnostic and programmer tool
As a result of the investigation, the following drugs were seized:
- Approximately 5.5 kg of suspected fentanyl
- Approximately 7.6 kg of suspected methamphetamine
- Approximately 3.7 kg of suspected MDMA powder
- Approximately 2 kg of suspected heroin
- Approximately 1.8 kg of suspected cocaine
- Approximately 1.4 kg of suspected ketamine
- Approximately 5.8 kg of cannabis resin (hash)
- More than 47,955 hydromorphone tablets
- More than 6,580 methylphenidate tablets
- More than 3,175 morphine tablets
- More than 2,395 suspected MDMA tablets
- More than 1,785 oxycodone tablets
- More than 40 fentanyl patches
- Approximately 35 g of suspected black tar heroin
- More than 40 steroid liquid vials
- More than 715 pregabalin tablets
- Approximately 590 g of dried cannabis
- A large quantity of other prescription medications
The estimated street value of the drugs seized is more than $2.5 million.
On Thursday, March 27, 2025, members of PATT, OCEB and the OPP Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant where they located and recovered 11 stolen vehicles. The vehicles recovered include:
- Two Toyota Highlanders
- Three Toyota Sequoias
- Five Toyota Tundras
- One Lexus RX
The estimated value of these recovered vehicles is $730,000. Four individuals have been charged with a combined 85 offences contrary to the Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. For further details on the accused and their respective charges, please see the Addendum of Charged Persons found within the Project BIONIC media kit.
Project GOLDEN was an 11-month investigation into a multi-jurisdictional drug trafficking network, affecting several communities across southwestern Ontario. This investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately 38 kilograms of fentanyl, the OPP’s largest fentanyl seizure to date.
In addition to the fentanyl seized through Project BIONIC and Project GOLDEN, these investigations led to the seizure of large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, heroin, ketamine and prescription drugs.
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.
The dangers of illicit fentanyl pose a severe threat to those suffering from substance use disorders, and the prevalence of fentanyl continues to increase. It is a drug sought after by users, and it is not always taken by mistake. Illicit fentanyl can be imported from other source countries or domestically produced with precursor chemicals in clandestine laboratories.
“As drug trafficking networks evolve in complexity, so too must our investigative strategies. Today’s results demonstrate how our approach continues to address this growing threat. Both Project BIONIC and Project GOLDEN were historic investigations: Project BIONIC as a first-of-its-kind OPP investigation into dark web trafficking, and Project GOLDEN as the largest seizure of fentanyl in OPP history. We remain committed to cutting off supply chains and taking down criminal networks-because every gram of fentanyl we seize is a life potentially saved.” stated OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique.
Officials say traffickers are knowingly distributing products that cause potentially lethal harm and the OPP will continue to focus on the illicit production and distribution of fentanyl, aiming to prevent cross-border trafficking, target the supply of precursor chemicals and dismantle criminal networks responsible for producing and trafficking illicit fentanyl.
“Today’s announcement sends a clear message: we will not tolerate illegal drug trafficking in our province. Our government, under the leadership of Premier Ford, will continue to support Ontario’s police services in their ongoing efforts to protect Ontario and combat illegal drug activity. I want to congratulate the OPP and their partners for this record-setting seizure. The dedication and hard work of law enforcement has once again proven crucial in keeping harmful substances off our streets and dismantling dangerous criminal networks that seek to prey on our communities.” said Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General.
