Largest Fentanyl Bust in Ontario Police History, Amount Seized Enough to Kill a Mid-Sized City: OPP

Police say they have seized 46 kilograms of suspected fentanyl after a year-long drug investigation—an amount that is the largest in Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) history and which they say is enough of the drug to take the lives of a “moderately sized city.”

In addition to the seizure of fentanyl, the bust resulted in police seizing 3.4 kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilograms of suspected heroin, two loaded firearms and ammunition, 4,500 hydromorphone pills, 190 oxycodone pills, 360 morphine pills, 470 benzodiazepine tablets, 35 amphetamine tablets, as well as expensive jewelry, $170,000 in cash, more than 20 cellular devices, and assorted drug paraphernalia, according to a Nov. 12 release from the OPP.

“The prevalence of this dangerous drug [fentanyl] is a public safety issue that law enforcement takes seriously, and we will work together across jurisdictions, across provincial borders and even international borders, to dismantle and disrupt those who choose to engage in trafficking this deadly drug,” OPP Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart said.

As a result of the operation, OPP said two individuals are facing numerous charges under Canada’s Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Police say the investigation started in the fall of last year after the OPP’s Provincial Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team in conjunction with the Windsor Police Service launched Project Rotherham to investigate two individuals who were “primary members” of a drug distribution network and tied to known criminal groups.

In the course of the investigation, OPP say they carried out three search warrants on vehicles and three search warrants on homes in Windsor on Sept. 25 of this year, followed by an additional residence in Windsor justified by evidence seized in the prior search warrants. The search warrants led to the seizure of the large quantities of drugs, weapons, cash, cellphones, and jewelry noted above.

The fentanyl seized was worth approximately $6.5 million, “enough for approximately 460,000 street-level doses – an amount capable of taking the lives of a moderately sized city,” OPP said in their release, noting that this calculation was made based on a dose being 0.1 grams and the fact that the fentanyl seized in the investigation had been mixed and cut with other substances.

“This operation has a direct impact on the City of Windsor. Removing this volume of fentanyl from our streets saves lives. It’s a powerful example of what we can achieve through strong partnerships – locally and provincially,” Windsor Police Services Deputy Chief Jason Crowley said of the bust.