Canadian authorities have seized $83 million worth of cocaine linked to a notorious Mexican cartel in the largest drug bust in Toronto’s history, officials announced Tuesday.
The more than 835 kilograms of cocaine are believed to be linked to the Jalisco New Generation cartel, which the The Department of Justice described as “one of the most violent and prolific drug trafficking organizations in the world.”
Police discovered 475 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a truck and the rest was seized in hiding places, Toronto police said in a statement. press release. Police said the truck and its cargo were part of a larger transnational drug trafficking operation originating from Mexico.
The cocaine seized was part of an ongoing investigation called Project Castillo that began in August.
Myron Demkiw, Toronto Police Chief said tuesday cocaine would certainly end up in other Canadian regions, from Newfoundland to British Columbia.
Kevin Masterman via Toronto Police Service
“I can tell you that removing 835 kilograms of cocaine from our streets will make a huge difference to the well-being of our communities,” Demkiw said.
Officers arrested six people as part of the investigation, including two Mexican nationals who entered Canada legally and four Canadians.
Arrest warrants have been issued for three other suspects: two Mexican nationals and a 60-year-old Canadian from Niagara Falls.
The Jalisco Cartel produced millions of doses of deadly fentanyl and smuggled them into the United States, often disguised as Xanax, Percocet or oxycodone. The pills cause approximately 70,000 overdose deaths per year in the United States.