From the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau
Project BIONIC has 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.
In November 2024, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Covert Internet Intelligence Unit (CIIU) initiated Project BIONIC. A first of its kind for the OPP, this intelligence-led investigation, which aimed at dismantling an operation that used a dark web marketplace to ship a high volume of drugs, was led by the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB).
The investigation revealed that orders were placed through a dark web marketplace, then packaged and shipped to locations across the country, including Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nunavut, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec.
On Monday, March 10, 2025, members from OPP OCEB arrested two individuals at a Canada Post location in Ottawa and seized 86 packages containing various drugs ready to be shipped to addresses across Canada.
On Monday, March 10, 2025, four search warrants were executed at one vehicle and three residences in Gloucester, Nepean by members from:
- OPP OCEB
- OPP Provincial Auto Theft and Towing (PATT) Team
- East Region OPP Community Street Crime Units
- OPP Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit (PAFU)
- OPP Digital Forensics
- OPP Cybercrime Investigations Team
Officers seized the following items:
- A handgun, an extended magazine and ammunition
- Approximately $95,000 in Canadian currency
- Electronic devices
- A stolen 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider convertible valued at more than $400,000
- Fraudulent licence plates
- Reprogrammable key fobs
- A diagnostic and programmer tool
As a result of the investigation, the following drugs were seized:
- 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
The estimated street value of the drugs seized is more than $2.5 million.
On Thursday, March 27, 2025, members of PATT, OCEB and the OPP Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant where they located and recovered 11 stolen vehicles. The vehicles recovered include:
- Two Toyota Highlanders
- Three Toyota Sequoias
- Five Toyota Tundras
- One Lexus RX
The estimated value of these recovered vehicles is $730,000.
Four Ottawa individuals have been charged with a combined 85 offences contrary to the Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Anyone with any information about the trafficking of illicit drugs, diversion of prescription medication or auto theft should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
The investigation continues with the assistance of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada.
“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 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,” stated OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique.
ABOUT THE DARK WEB
The dark web is a hidden portion of the internet, not indexed by traditional search engines, and requires special software to access. It employs encryption and anonymity to conceal its content and users. A dark web marketplace is a platform within the dark web where illegal transactions take place. They enable the exchange of various illicit items, including stolen credentials, drugs and hacking tools.
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