A 40-year-old Markham man is one of five people charged in connection with an Ontario Provincial Police cocaine trafficking investigation in the GTA and Gravenhurst, resulting in the seizure of nearly 300 kilograms of suspected cocaine.
Jason Tsang, along with Sajjad Wadiwalla, 42, of Ajax, and Philippe Payeur, 48, of Toronto, have each been charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, trafficking cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, according to an OPP news release.
Two of the accused remain in custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto at a later date, police said.
Nearly 300 kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of $29M seized following a five-month intelligence-led investigation into high-level drug trafficking activity. Five people face numerous criminal charges.
— Ontario Provincial Police (@OPP_News) February 3, 2025
Initiated by members of the #OPP Provincial Guns and Gangs… pic.twitter.com/4AKXVGrB1Z
Police said the Project Shearwater investigation has led to the seizure of 299 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of approximately $29 million and more than $50,000 in Canadian currency.
In total, five accused persons are facing 12 criminal charges following search warrant discoveries in the Greater Toronto Area, including Markham, and Gravenhurst.
Four of the accused have been arrested and charged with 11 offences under the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
One accused is a Mexican national who was subject to an immigration warrant for removal issued by the Canada Border Services Agency, police added.
Javier Luis Martinez Hernandez, 29, of London has been charged with possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and possession of cocaine with the purpose of trafficking, police said.
An arrest warrant has been issued for the fifth accused, Brian Nelson, 38, of Toronto, who is wanted for conspiracy to commit an indictable offence of trafficking cocaine.
On Dec. 13, 2024, the OPP’s Provincial Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team executed a search warrant on a residence and vehicle in Mississauga.
Between Jan. 16 and 17, the OPP-led unit, along with the OPP’s Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit, Central Region Community Street Crime Units, Organized Crime Task Force, as well as Toronto Police Service’s Emergency Task Force and Durham Regional Police Service, executed five search warrants in Toronto, Ajax, Markham and Gravenhurst, and five search warrants on vehicles.
The OPP Provincial Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team initiated Project Shearwater in September 2024 after investigators became aware of high-level drug trafficking activity. A five-month intelligence-led investigation was focused on a cocaine trafficking network spanning throughout the GTA. The OPP Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit, Organized Crime Task Force, Central Region Community Street Crime Units, Toronto Police Service and York Regional Police assisted throughout the operation.
