In a major combined crackdown across Canada and the United States, Canadian law enforcement has arrested several Indo-Canadian individuals accused of smuggling approximately ₹300 crore (≈ $40 million CAD) worth of high-grade cocaine through cross-border trucking operations.
Operation Pelican & Cross-Border Investigation
Dubbed “Project Pelican”, the operation was led by Peel Regional Police in coordination with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the RCMP. Authorities intercepted 479 kg of cocaine, marking one of the largest drug busts in Canadian history. The estimated street value stands at $47.9 million CAD.
Arrests and National Links
Nine individuals were arrested, seven of whom are Indian-origin residents in Canada. Investigators have uncovered links between the smuggling network and known Khalistan-sympathizer groups, suggesting proceeds may have funded anti-India activities.
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Smuggling Modus Operandi
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The traffickers exploited cross-border trucking routes from the U.S. into Canada, concealing cocaine in hidden compartments of commercial trucks—following a pattern consistent with previous Indo-Canadian rackets .
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Earlier incidents in Ontario, such as seizures of 419 kg cocaine and 52 kg loads in truck trailers, were tied to Indian-origin drivers crossing at U.S. borders under scrutiny.
Widening Security Concerns
Experts point out this bust highlights a broader trend: organized crime networks of Indo-Canadian origin have been repeatedly involved in large-scale narcotics trafficking—with ties to international cartels and extremist funding streams.
Legal and Diplomatic Repercussions
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RCMP and CBSA continue interrogations and prosecutions under Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
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The investigation is prompting calls for even tighter border inspections on freight routes between the U.S. and Canada.
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Indian security agencies are monitoring developments closely, concerned about the dual nature of the network—criminal and political.
This massive Indo-Canadian drug bust underscores persistent vulnerabilities in North American freight security, the sophisticated use of trucking channels for smuggling, and the nexus between organized crime and ideological funding. Authorities on both sides of the border are escalating collaboration and legal action in response.
