Ontario Provincial Police, in collaboration with Windsor Police Service and other law enforcement agencies, announced a significant disruption of a sophisticated cross-border drug smuggling network.Authorities seized approximately 1.7 metric tons of illegal drugs, primarily cocaine and methamphetamine, along with smaller amounts of opium and oxycodone.

The drugs, valued at roughly $139 million at street level, were smuggled into Canada hidden within legitimate commercial truck shipments crossing the Ambassador Bridge from Detroit.Police described the operation as using a 'broker-style' model involving complicit truck drivers.In addition to the drugs, officers recovered 17 firearms, including a rare antique Finnish Lahti L-39 .

50 calibre anti-tank rifle from the Second World War era, ammunition, brass knuckles, cash, high-end jewellery, money counters, one vehicle, and various electronic devices.

The operation, known as Project Bay, began in January 2025 and involved coordinated efforts with Toronto Police, Peel Regional Police, the Canada Border Services Agency, U.S.Department of Homeland Security, and the Drug Enforcement Agency.Twenty-one individuals face a total of 102 charges, including conspiracy to import cocaine, drug trafficking, and multiple firearms offences.Two suspects remain at large.Officials highlighted the international scope of the network, with links potentially extending to the southwestern United States and Mexico.The bust demonstrates strong inter-agency cooperation and aims to protect communities across Ontario from the harms of organized crime.

With the impending shift of cross-border traffic to the new Gordie Howe International Bridge, authorities anticipate changes in smuggling patterns and plan to leverage advanced detection technology at the new facility.