A major anti-narcotics operation in Ontario has resulted in 19 arrests and the seizure of nearly 1.7 tonnes of illegal drugs one of the province’s biggest anti-narcotics operations against organized crime. Project Bay went after a drug trafficking network that had long been known to operate in many parts of the province.
The investigation was conducted over months to bring together law enforcement agencies to take down a criminal organization that is widely identified with the distribution of large amounts of illicit drugs in Ontario. This is how the supply chain is disrupted and dangerous substances are prevented from getting into communities, Mr. Higgs said.
Investigators conducted several search warrants at residential properties, commercial areas believed to be connected to Project Bay, and storage units and vehicles associated with that operation.
About 1.7 tonnes of illegal narcotics, including cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other controlled substances, were found and seized during the searches.
Police took firearms, cash, luxury vehicles, and other possessions that were obtained through criminal activity. The evidence will be of great importance to the investigation moving forward, officials said.
Investigators believe the suspects used sophisticated methods to carry and distribute drugs across the province. The network was established through surveillance, intelligence collection, and close cooperation with police and intelligence agencies, and the enforcement of the network was conducted in coordination.
The seizure was seen by officials as a significant step in curbing illegal drugs on Ontario’s streets. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are still an important public safety threat due to their impact on overdose deaths across Canada, they said.
🚨Ontario Police Seize $139M in Drugs, Firearms in Major Bust
— Ethan 🇨🇦 (@Ethan113554) July 24, 2026
Ontario Provincial Police & CBSA announced Thursday the results of Project Bay, a cross-border operation.
Officers seized nearly 1.7 tonnes of illicit drugs valued at more than $139 million, including 973 kg of… pic.twitter.com/eqKphmOAUT
The 19 people in custody were charged with drug trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, conspiracy, and other charges related to organized crime. More charges may follow once the police have gathered evidence from the operation, said the police.
Law enforcement officials said large-scale investigations like Project Bay rely on cooperation between municipal, provincial, and federal agencies. The operation is a sign that intelligence-driven policing is a weapon of choice, they said, to tackle organized crime and keep public safety safe.
Police also asked the public to keep watching out for suspicious activities related to drug trafficking and to keep up their concerns to report suspicious activities to police as community information is vital to ongoing investigations.
But authorities said the investigation is ongoing. Financial records, digital devices, and other evidence seized during the raids are still being looked at to see if there were more people or criminal groups involved.
Project Bay shows Ontario’s continuing enforcement against organized drug trafficking and the criminal enterprises responsible for distributing dangerous drugs.
