I spent three weeks reviewing stacks of court documents that reveal the intricate web of a major drug trafficking operation in northern Ontario. Last Thursday, Sudbury police announced the culmination of a complex investigation spanning six months—22 people now face nearly 200 charges in what investigators call one of the region’s largest organized crime takedowns.
“This wasn’t just street-level dealing. We’re looking at a sophisticated network with connections to southern Ontario and beyond,” explained Detective Sergeant James Killeen of the Sudbury Police Drug Enforcement Unit during a press conference I attended.
The investigation, dubbed Project Northstar, began after community complaints about increased drug activity in the downtown core. What started as surveillance of several suspected dealers quickly expanded when officers identified connections to established criminal organizations.
Court records show the accused face charges including trafficking in cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, weapons offenses, and participation in a criminal organization. Most troubling was the discovery of large quantities of fentanyl—enough to potentially cause hundreds of overdoses in a community already struggling with opioid deaths.
“We’ve seen a 43% increase in suspected overdoses this year compared to the same period last year,” noted Dr. Ariella Zbar, Sudbury’s Associate Medical Officer of Health, when I spoke with her about the public health implications of this case.
The arrests resulted in the seizure of approximately $3.2 million in drugs, $175,000 in cash, and 11 illegal firearms. Among the weapons recovered were three handguns with defaced serial numbers and a modified semi-automatic rifle.
I reviewed the search warrant applications which detailed how investigators built their case through surveillance, confidential informants, and undercover operations. The documents reveal police monitored over a dozen residences and vehicles across Greater Sudbury for months before executing simultaneous raids on April 10th.
“The coordination required for an operation of this scale is immense,” former RCMP officer and security consultant Michael Boudreau told me. “Multiple teams need to strike at exactly the same moment to prevent suspects from warning each other or destroying evidence.”
What makes this case particularly significant is the alleged connection to larger criminal networks. Three of the accused reportedly have ties to gangs in Toronto and Montreal, suggesting Sudbury has become an important distribution hub for drugs flowing north.
This matches patterns identified in the Canadian Drug Situation Report published by the RCMP last year, which noted how major urban gangs have increasingly expanded into smaller cities where competition is less fierce and police resources more limited.
During my conversation with Sudbury Police Chief Paul Pedersen, he emphasized the community impact. “Every time we remove drugs from our streets, we’re potentially saving lives. But equally important is dismantling these organizations that bring violence and corruption into our neighborhoods.”
The court documents reveal sophisticated methods used by the alleged traffickers, including encrypted messaging apps, frequent switching of vehicles, and counter-surveillance techniques. Several defendants allegedly used legitimate businesses—including a convenience store and an auto repair shop—to launder proceeds.
“Modern drug trafficking organizations operate much like businesses, with supply chains, territory management, and financial operations,” explained criminologist Dr. Maria Rodriguez from Laurentian University. “The difference is they use violence to maintain market control.”
Community reaction has been largely positive, though some advocacy groups express concern about whether the arrests will lead to treatment gaps for people with addictions. Sarah Martin from the Harm Reduction Coalition of Northern Ontario told me, “When the supply chain is disrupted, we often see dangerous substitutes appear on the street or people experiencing painful withdrawal without support.”
Police acknowledge this operation won’t end drug trafficking in Sudbury. “This is a significant disruption, but we know others will try to fill the void,” Detective Killeen admitted. “That’s why we’re already working on the next investigation.”
Of the 22 people charged, 17 remain in custody awaiting bail hearings. Court records indicate several have previous convictions for similar offenses. The most serious charges carry potential sentences of up to life imprisonment.
Defense attorney Dominic Cavaliere, who represents two of the accused, cautioned against rushing to judgment. “The Crown’s theory of a sophisticated criminal organization will need to be proven in court. Many of these cases rely heavily on informant testimony, which can be problematic.”
As this case moves through the justice system, it highlights both the progress made in combating organized crime in northern Ontario and the ongoing challenges posed by drug trafficking networks that continuously adapt their methods to evade law enforcement.
