Nine arrested in connection with cocaine smuggling operation using U.S.-Canada commercial trucking routes

Canadian police announced the arrest of nine people following a year-long investigation into an alleged cross-border drug smuggling scheme with ties to the trucking industry.

On June 10, 2025, Peel Regional Police (PRP) located in Ontario announced the results of “Project Pelican,” an investigation into “a transnational organized criminal network trafficking illicit drugs into the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).”

“The investigation, Project Pelican, marks the largest drug seizure in the service’s history – with nearly $50 million worth of cocaine seized,” PRP said in a news release.

In June 2024, PRP launched an investigation into “a cocaine smuggling operation using U.S.-Canada commercial trucking routes.” By November 2024, with assistance from multiple U.S.-based law enforcement agencies, investigators identified multiple individuals, trucking companies, and storage sites linked to the operation.

As part of the investigation, information from PRP led to two major drug seizures from commercial vehicles at border crossings between February and May 2025:

• Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), intercepting a commercial truck at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, which led to the seizure of 127 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the trailer and the arrest of the driver.
• CBSA intercepting another truck at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward, which led to the seizure of 50 kilograms of cocaine hidden within the trailer and the arrest of the driver, with support from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

PRP reports that other drug seizures were made in the GTA  in connection with commercial trucking, “some of which included individuals in possession of loaded firearms at the time of arrest.”

According to PRP, the following nine individuals have been arrested as of June 6, 2025, on a total of 35 drug and firearms-related charges:

• Hao Tommy Huynh, 27-year-old, Mississauga
• Sajgith Yogendrarajah, 31-year-old, Toronto
• Manpreet Singh, 44-year-old, Brampton
• Philip Tep, 39-year-old, Hamilton
• Arvinder Powar, 29-year-old, Brampton
• Karamjit Singh, 36-year-old man, Caledon
• Gurtej Singh, 36-year-old man, Caledon
• Sartaj Singh 27-year-old man, Cambridge
• Shiv Onkar Singh, 31-year-old man, Georgetown

As part of Project Pelican, law enforcement seized the following:

• 479 kilograms of bricked cocaine, with an estimated street value of $47.9 million
• Two illegal loaded semi-automatic handguns

“These significant seizures and arrests demonstrate the strength of our collaboration with law enforcement partners on both sides of the border. Together, we are committed to dismantling organized crime groups and keeping harmful drugs out of our communities, said Michael Prosia, Regional Director General – Southern Ontario, CBSA.

Agencies assisting with this investigation include the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Border Enforcement Task Force in Detroit.

Anyone with additional information on this case is asked to contact the Specialized Enforcement Bureau at (905) 453-2121 Ext. 3515.