86 packages containing drugs seized at Canada Post location in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police say 86 packages containing drugs intended to be shipped across Canada were seized at a Canada Post location in Ottawa on March 10, 2025 as part of a major investigation dubbed "Project BIONIC". (OPP/handout)
Ontario Provincial Police say dozens of packages containing drugs that were set to be shipped across Canada were seized at a Canada Post location in Ottawa as part of a massive drug investigation.
The OPP say the investigation, dubbed 'Project BIONIC,' resulted in the seizure of more than 27 kilograms and 64,000 tablets of 37 different illegal drugs and prescription medications, including fentanyl, hydromorphone, methamphetamine, ketamine and MDMA, destined to be shipped across Canada through various courier services and Canada Post.
Police say the investigation began in November 2024 into drug trafficking on the dark web — an anonymous version of the internet that is only accessible with specific software, which is not indexed by traditional search engines like Google. Orders for drugs were placed through these private digital connections and shipped to at least seven provinces and one territory, the OPP said.
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Project BIONIC results in major drug bust in Ottawa
Fentanyl seized as part of a major investigation dubbed "Project BIONIC". (OPP/handout)
Project BIONIC results in major drug bust in Ottawa
Pills seized as part of a major investigation dubbed "Project BIONIC". (OPP/handout)
Project BIONIC results in major drug bust in Ottawa
MDMA seized as part of a major investigation dubbed "Project BIONIC". (OPP/handout)
Project BIONIC results in major drug bust in Ottawa
MDMA seized as part of a major investigation dubbed "Project BIONIC". (OPP/handout)
Project BIONIC results in major drug bust in Ottawa
Currency seized as part of a major investigation dubbed "Project BIONIC". (OPP/handout)
Project BIONIC results in major drug bust in Ottawa
A firearm seized as part of a major investigation dubbed "Project BIONIC". (OPP/handout)
Project BIONIC results in major drug bust in Ottawa
A stolen 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider convertible valued at more than $400,000 seized as part of a major investigation dubbed "Project BIONIC". (OPP/handout)
Project BIONIC results in major drug bust in Ottawa
Stolen vehicles seized as part of a major investigation dubbed "Project BIONIC". (OPP/handout)
Project BIONIC results in major drug bust in Ottawa
Reprogrammable key fobs seized as part of a major investigation dubbed "Project BIONIC". (OPP/handout)
OPP seizure Canada Post
Ontario Provincial Police say 86 packages containing drugs intended to be shipped across Canada were seized at a Canada Post location in Ottawa on March 10, 2025 as part of a major investigation dubbed "Project BIONIC". (OPP/handout)
Project BIONIC results in major drug bust in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police seized a large quantity of drugs and found a dozen stolen vehicles as part of a major investigation in Ottawa dubbed "Project BIONIC". (OPP/handout)
On March 10, police arrested two people at a Canada Post location in Ottawa and seized 86 packages containing drugs, the OPP said in a news release. That same day, police searched three homes and one vehicle in Gloucester and Nepean, seizing a handgun with an extended magazine and ammunition, a stolen 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider convertible, fraudulent licence plates, reprogrammable key fobs and other electronic devices and $95,000 in cash.
OPP say the following drugs were seized, worth an estimated 'street value' of $2.5 million:
Approximately 5.5 kg of suspected fentanyl
Approximately 7.6 kg of suspected methamphetamine
Approximately 3.7 kg of suspected MDMA powder
Approximately 2 kg of suspected heroin
Approximately 1.8 kg of suspected cocaine
Approximately 1.4 kg of suspected ketamine
Approximately 5.8 kg of cannabis resin (hash)
More than 47,955 hydromorphone tablets
More than 6,580 methylphenidate tablets
More than 3,175 morphine tablets
More than 2,395 suspected MDMA tablets
More than 1,785 oxycodone tablets
More than 40 fentanyl patches
Approximately 35 g of suspected black tar heroin
More than 40 steroid liquid vials
More than 715 pregabalin tablets
Approximately 590 g of dried cannabis
A large quantity of other prescription medications
On March 27, another search warrant execution resulted in the seizure of 11 stolen vehicles, including two Toyota Highlanders, three Toyota Sequoias, five Toyota Tundras and one Lexus RX.
'Project BIONIC exposed the alarming volume of dangerous drugs being sold through dark web marketplaces, with packages shipped across the country,' OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said in a news release. 'These arrests show that law enforcement can track and stop even the most complex online trafficking operations. This investigation also plainly demonstrates the connections between drug trafficking and other crimes, such auto theft and illegal firearms. 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.'
Project BIONIC results in major drug bust in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police seized a large quantity of drugs and found a dozen stolen vehicles as part of a major investigation in Ottawa dubbed "Project BIONIC". (OPP/handout)
Four Ottawa residents have been charged with a combined 85 offences contrary to the Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Project BIONIC was part of two separate investigations led by the OPP into drug trafficking in the province. The second, dubbed 'Project GOLDEN,' was executed primarily in southwestern Ontario. In total, police say these investigations resulted in the seizure of more than 43 kilograms of fentanyl.
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