In a major victory against organized crime, Ontario Provincial Police have executed the largest fentanyl seizure in the force's history, intercepting $6.5 million worth of the deadly opioid in Windsor.
Record-Breaking Drug Seizure
The massive haul of 46 kilograms of fentanyl represents a significant blow to drug trafficking networks operating in Southern Ontario. The seizure occurred as part of Project Rotherham, an intensive investigation launched in fall 2024 that involved collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies.
According to OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique, "Fentanyl is a national enforcement priority" and this operation demonstrates the commitment to stopping the flow of dangerous drugs into communities across the province.
Project Rotherham Investigation Details
The investigation began when the OPP's Provincial Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team and Windsor Police Service identified two primary members of a drug trafficking network with connections to known criminal organizations. The coordinated effort culminated on September 25, when officers executed six search warrants targeting residences and vehicles throughout Windsor.
The search operations yielded an astonishing array of illegal materials:
- 46 kilograms of suspected fentanyl
- 3.4 kilograms of suspected cocaine
- 1 kilogram of suspected heroin
- Two loaded firearms with ammunition
- Thousands of prescription pills including hydromorphone, oxycodone, and morphine
- Over $170,000 in Canadian currency
Additional items seized included body armor, a collapsible baton, digital scales, 24 cellphones, and high-end jewelry, painting a picture of a sophisticated criminal operation.
Deadly Consequences Averted
Police emphasized the potentially catastrophic impact of the seized drugs, noting the fentanyl alone represented approximately 460,000 street-level doses - enough to threaten the population of a moderately sized city.
OPP Chief Supt. Mike Stoddart of the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau stated, "The prevalence of this dangerous drug is a public safety issue that law enforcement takes seriously, and we will work together across jurisdictions to dismantle and disrupt those who choose to engage in trafficking this deadly drug."
Windsor Police Deputy Chief Jason Crowley highlighted the local impact, saying the seizure "will have a direct impact" on the city and that "removing this volume of fentanyl from our streets saves lives."
Two individuals now face multiple charges in connection with the bust: Nicholas Kong, 25, of Windsor and Joshua Aguirre, 28, of Vancouver, B.C. The investigation into the source of the illicit fentanyl continues as authorities work to dismantle the entire trafficking network.
