Five people, including a wanted Mexican national, are facing multiple criminal charges after search warrants were executed in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), which led to the seizure of nearly 300 kilograms of suspected cocaine valued at approximately $29 million.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers launched the investigation in September 2024, leading to the discovery of a cocaine trafficking network in the GTA.
Multiple search warrants were executed in December in various locations, including Mississauga, Toronto, Ajax, Markham and Gravenhurst.
OPP said four of the accused were arrested and charged with 11 offences. Authorities noted that one accused is a Mexican national who was subject to an immigration warrant for removal issued by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
“This quantity of cocaine is a significant seizure and is the result of excellent investigative work by dedicated members of the OPP and our partners,” said OPP Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart.
“These investigators work countless hours to preserve the safety of our province by deterring, detecting and disrupting criminal activity, keeping our communities safe and secure.”
The accused were identified as Javier Luis Martinez Hernandez, 29, of London, Ont., Jason Tsang, 40, of Markham, Sajjad Wadiwalla, 42, of Ajax, and Philippe Payeur, 48, of Toronto. Charges include trafficking cocaine and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
Two of the accused remain in custody and are scheduled to appear in court at a later date. An arrest warrant has been issued for the fifth accused, Brian Nelson, 38, of Toronto, who is wanted for conspiracy to commit an indictable offence – trafficking cocaine.