THUNDER BAY – CRIME NEWS – In a landmark bust, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have successfully dismantled a sophisticated dark web drug trafficking operation that shipped thousands of doses of illegal drugs and controlled substances across Canada using courier services and Canada Post.
Dubbed Project BIONIC, the investigation began in November 2024, spearheaded by the OPP Covert Internet Intelligence Unit (CIIU) and led by the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB). It marks a first-of-its-kind operation for the OPP targeting online marketplaces on the dark web.
A National Drug Network Uncovered
The covert investigation revealed a dark web marketplace at the core of a high-volume drug trafficking ring. Orders were placed online and shipped to addresses in every province and territory, including Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, and Prince Edward Island.
On March 10, 2025, officers arrested two individuals at a Canada Post location in Ottawa, seizing 86 packages ready for delivery across the country. Concurrently, four search warrants were executed at residences and a vehicle in Gloucester and Nepean, with support from:
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OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB)
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Provincial Auto Theft and Towing (PATT) Team
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East Region Community Street Crime Units
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Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit (PAFU)
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OPP Digital Forensics and Cybercrime Teams
What Police Found
Authorities seized:
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A handgun with an extended magazine and ammunition
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Over $95,000 in Canadian cash
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Electronic devices
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A stolen 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider, valued at over $400,000
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Fraudulent licence plates, reprogrammable key fobs, and a diagnostic programmer
Massive Drug Haul Worth Over $2.5 Million
The seized narcotics include:
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5.5 kg suspected fentanyl
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7.6 kg suspected methamphetamine
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3.7 kg suspected MDMA
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2 kg suspected heroin
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1.8 kg suspected cocaine
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1.4 kg suspected ketamine
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5.8 kg cannabis resin
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Over 47,000 hydromorphone tablets
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Thousands more doses of methylphenidate, morphine, oxycodone, MDMA tablets, fentanyl patches, steroids, pregabalin, and other prescription drugs
The total street value of the drugs exceeds $2.5 million.
Auto Theft Tied to Drug Operation
On March 27, 2025, a further search led to the recovery of 11 stolen vehicles, including:
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2 Toyota Highlanders
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3 Toyota Sequoias
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5 Toyota Tundras
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1 Lexus RX
These vehicles are estimated to be worth $730,000.
Charges Laid
Four individuals face 85 criminal charges under the Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
OPP Commissioner Statement
“Project BIONIC exposed the alarming volume of dangerous drugs being sold through dark web marketplaces, with packages shipped across the country. These arrests show that law enforcement can track and stop even the most complex online trafficking operations. This seizure is a major step in dismantling drug networks — whether online or on the street — and reflects the OPP’s ongoing commitment to public safety,” said OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique.
About the Dark Web
The dark web is an encrypted and hidden part of the internet, only accessible through specialized software such as Tor. It is often used for illicit trade, including drugs, weapons, stolen data, and hacking tools. Marketplaces on the dark web operate anonymously, making them a growing concern for law enforcement agencies globally.
Ongoing Investigation
The OPP’s Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit (PAFU) continues to investigate the financial elements of the operation in partnership with FINTRAC (Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada).
Anyone with information regarding drug trafficking or prescription medication diversion is urged to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
