Mexican national who was the subject of CBSA warrant arrested as part of $29M cocaine bust: police

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has seized nearly 300 kilograms of cocaine, estimated to be around $29 million in street value in the Greater Toronto Area. (OPP)

A months-long investigation into a suspected drug trafficking operation in the Greater Toronto Area has resulted in the seizure of 300 kilograms of cocaine and the arrest of four people, including a Mexican national who was the subject of an immigration warrant.

The investigation, dubbed ‘Project Shearwater,’ first began in September after investigators became aware of “high-level drug trafficking activity,” the OPP says.

The Provincial Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team executed six search warrants on residences and vehicles in Toronto, Mississauga, Ajax, Markham and Gravenhurst between Dec. 13, 2024, and Jan. 17, 2025 that led to the discovery of the drugs, which have a street value of $29 million.

Four people have been charged with 11 criminal offences including possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, as a result of the investigation.

Police said one of the accused is a Mexican national who was already the subject of an immigration warrant for removal by the Canada Border Services Agency.

An arrest warrant has been issued for a fifth suspect, 38-year-old Toronto resident, Brian Nelson. He is wanted for conspiracy to commit an indictable offence under the Criminal Code.

In a news release, OPP Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart said the drug bust was “a significant seizure as a result of excellent investigative work.”

“These investigators work countless hours to preserve the safety of our province by deterring, detecting and disrupting criminal activity, keeping our communities safe and secure,” Stoddart said.

The Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit will step in to investigate the financial element of the crime, police said.

Earlier in January, Toronto police seized $83 million worth of cocaine, the largest in the service’s history, in a drug bust linked to a Mexican drug cartel in an investigation dubbed Project Castillo.

For a full list of the charges the suspects are facing follow this link.