The Ontario Provincial Police say it's the largest seizure of fentanyl they have ever made.
Ontario Provincial Police in Essex County and the Windsor Police Service seized an estimated $6.5 million of illegal drugs during a year-long investigation in the region.
The OPP's Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team and the WPS Drugs and Guns Unit partnered in Project ROTHERHAM in the fall of 2024.
The OPP said two primary members of the drug trafficking network were identified through the investigation.
On September 25, members of the OPP and the WPS searched three homes and three vehicles in Windsor. Those searches led to the search of a fourth home in Windsor.
Through the investigation, police seized 46 kg suspected fentanyl, 3.4 kg suspected cocaine, 1 kg suspected heroin, two loaded firearms and ammunition, 4,500 hydromorphone tablets, 190 oxycodone tablets, 360 morphine tablets, 470 benzodiazepine tablets, 35 amphetamine tablets, over 181 kg caffeine, often used as a cutting agent when processing illicit drugs, a collapsible baton, body armour, a master key vehicle programmer and blank keys, more than $170,000 CAD currency, $220 US currency, high-end jewellery, 24 cell phones, digital scales and other drug paraphernalia.
"Just months ago, the OPP announced the largest seizure of fentanyl in our history. Today, Project ROTHERHAM surpasses that seizure by several kilograms. The prevalence of this dangerous drug is a public safety issue that law enforcement takes seriously, and we will work together across jurisdictions, across provincial borders and even international borders, to dismantle and disrupt those who choose to engage in trafficking this deadly drug. We are united in our enforcement efforts," said OPP Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart, OCEB.
According to the OPP, the fentanyl seized was enough for around 460,000 street-level doses.
"This operation has a direct impact on the City of Windsor. Removing this volume of fentanyl from our streets saves lives. It's a powerful example of what we can achieve through strong partnerships - locally and provincially. Together, we are protecting our communities and sending a strong message: drug traffickers will be held accountable," said WPS Deputy Chief Jason Crowley.
The investigation into the source of the illicit fentanyl in Project ROTHERHAM is ongoing.
Two individuals are facing numerous drug-related charges.
