OPP charges 21 in cross-border drug trafficking investigation, seizes more than 1.7 tonnes of illicit drugs

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says more than 1.7 tonnes of illicit drugs with an estimated street value exceeding $139 million were seized during a cross-border investigation known as Project Bay.

According to the OPP, a total of 21 people have been charged in connection with the investigation. Nineteen accused have been arrested, while warrants have been issued for two others who remain outstanding. The allegations have not been tested in court.

Police said 14 of the accused are of Punjabi origin, with many residing in Brampton. Gagandeep Thindal, Simranjit Singh and Tarminder Singh are among those facing charges that include trafficking cocaine, heroin and opium, as well as firearms-related offences. The three remain in custody.

Other Brampton residents charged include Jatinderpal Singh, Jaswinder Sohi and Tejwinder Sandhu, who are accused of conspiracy to import cocaine and have been released on bail. Gurundeep Dhariwal, Mahikpreet Singh and Karandeep Singh also face drug trafficking-related charges.

Additional accused include Kanwarpal Kullar of LaSalle, Harjwinder Sandhu of Kitchener, Haninderpal Grewal of Barrie and Avtar Sahota of Shelburne. According to police, they have been released on bail and are scheduled to appear in courts in Toronto and Sarnia during August and September.