An emerging drug cartel reportedly led by a former Mexican聽cop with the nickname 鈥淓l Mencho鈥澛爄s alleged to be at the core of the biggest cocaine bust in 海角社区官网history, with the seizure of more than 835 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $83 million, police say.
The massive haul in what authorities call Project Castillo would be the first time the Jalisco New Generation聽Cartel has made waves inside Ontario.
Officers arrested six individuals in the investigation, including two Mexican nationals and four Canadians from Markham, Mississauga and Toronto. Investigators are still seeking three suspects聽鈥 two Mexican nationals and a Canadian from Niagara Falls.
海角社区官网police Chief Myron Demkiw said the massive seizure isn鈥檛 just a good thing for the GTA.
鈥淕etting 835 kilograms of cocaine off of our streets will make a huge difference for the well-being of our communities 鈥 and not only our communities here in Toronto, but across the country, as we know that some of these drugs were destined to other regions,鈥 Demkiw said.
Almost all previous cartel drug seizures in Canada have been linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, which has been hit by recent arrests of its leadership, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman and some of his sons, nicknamed The Chapitos.
The Jalisco New Generation聽Cartel takes its name from the Mexican state of Jalisco, where it has roots. It began to emerge in 2010 after murders and military killings of established leaders of rival gangs.聽
Most of the drugs seized in Project Castillo were on an 18-wheel truck entering Canada, though police didn’t say at which border crossing. Another 360 kg of cocaine was found in stash houses throughout the GTA, police said in a news conference.
The 海角社区官网Police Service has announced the largest seizure of cocaine in its history, confiscating more than 835 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of approximately $83 million as part of “Project Castillo.”
海角社区官网Police ServiceA 20-year-old Markham woman, 37-year-old Mississauga man, 45-year-old Mississauga man and 32-year-old 海角社区官网man were charged with possession of a drug for the purpose of trafficking. In addition, two men from Mexico were charged in the investigation.
There are outstanding warrants for two Mexican men and a 60-year-old man from Niagara Falls, who is wanted for conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, trafficking and possession of a drug for the purpose of trafficking.
Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner used the occasion to address U.S. President Donald Trump鈥檚 repeated comments about what he considers lax border security regarding drugs and immigrants.
鈥淲e will work with our federal partners,鈥 Kerzner said. 鈥淲e will work with our American partners.鈥
He also had tough words for the cartel.
鈥淲e will lock you up,鈥 Kerzner said. 鈥淲e will find you.鈥
Project Castillo began in August 2024 and was led by the 海角社区官网Police Service drug squad in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency, York Regional Police Service and the RCMP鈥檚 Windsor Border Integrity Unit.
“Project Castillo demonstrates the power of collaboration to protect our communities,” said Superintendent Paul MacIntyre of the organized crime enforcement unit. “The results of Project Castillo have struck a significant blow to organized crime while reducing the harm these drugs cause in neighbourhoods across Canada.”
On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 12:30 p.m., Police Chief Myron Demkiw will be joined by Superintendent Paul MacIntyre of Organized Crime Enforcement to announce the results of Project Castillo, a significant drug seizure investigation.
Results of the seizure will be on display.
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