Roughly 180,000 potentially lethal doses of fentanyl valued at more than $2.3 million have been confiscated as part of an investigation into a drug trafficking network operating between Ontario and Alberta, police say.
The probe, better known as Project OLLIE, began last May and was spearheaded by the Border Drug Interdiction Task Force of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in the Greater Toronto Area, according to a recent police press release.
Investigators say they uncovered an interprovincial network of individuals believed to be trafficking fentanyl between the Greater Toronto Area and Calgary, leading to a joint investigation with the Calgary Police Service and the RCMP.
The investigation led to the execution of a search warrant on Feb. 10 at a Brampton, Ont., residence where 18 kilograms of suspected fentanyl and three cell phones were seized.
Two people were arrested and charged the same day.
Brampton resident Navjot Singh, 20, is facing one firearm-related charge as well as one count of conspiracy to traffic fentanyl, and three counts each of trafficking fentanyl, and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
A Calgary resident was also charged after being arrested in Manitoba by the Winnipeg Police Service on a Canada-wide warrant. Attarvir Singh, 23, is charged with conspiracy to traffic fentanyl, possession for the purpose of trafficking, and three counts each of trafficking fentanyl, and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
The Alberta Sheriffs Fugitive Apprehension Sheriffs Support Team (FASST) arrested and charged a third suspect in connection with the investigation on Feb. 24.
Calgary resident Balwinder Singh, 21, is facing one count each of conspiracy to traffic fentanyl, possession for the purpose of trafficking, trafficking fentanyl, and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
Police are also seeking a fourth suspect, who investigators believe to be tied to the investigation.
A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for the arrest of 21-year-old Manpreet Singh, also of Calgary, on suspicion of conspiracy to traffic fentanyl and firearms, and four counts of trafficking fentanyl.
OPP Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart said in the press release that the probe shows that police are focused on dismantling interprovincial drug trafficking networks.
“Seizing 18 kilograms of suspected fentanyl, which is equivalent to 180,000 potentially lethal doses, means we have prevented a significant threat to public safety,” said Stoddart, who is with the OPP’s Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau. “Project OLLIE reflects the power of intelligence‑led, joint‑forces operations and we will continue to pursue those who profit from harm in the communities we serve.”
The OPP-led Border Drug Interdiction Task Force is a joint-forces operation that consists of members from provincial, interprovincial, national, and international law enforcement agencies, including the RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency, and the United States Department of Homeland Security.
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