Based on coverage from The Star, CP24, CP24, Toronto Sun, and Insauga.
Durham Regional Police say they have seized 325 kilograms of cocaine worth more than $7 million after arresting a 17-year-old earlier this week, calling it one of the biggest drug busts in the service’s history.
Halton Regional Police, meanwhile, say a separate GTA investigation led to the seizure of 56 kilograms of drugs, including 36 kilograms of opium and 20 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated wholesale value of $1.5 million. Together, the cases show how large-scale drug trafficking investigations are increasingly stretching across municipal borders in the Greater Toronto Area.
Durham police seize 325 kg cocaine
Durham police say their Drug Enforcement Unit wrapped up a drug investigation on Monday with the arrest of a 17-year-old male youth. He has been charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
After that arrest, investigators executed a search warrant at a storage facility in Toronto, where they say they found and seized 325 kilograms of cocaine, described as about 715 pounds.
Police have not released additional details about the arrest or the broader investigation. The teen cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Toronto storage facility tied to Durham investigation
While the arrest was made by Durham police, the search took place at a Toronto storage facility, underlining a common reality for GTA drug investigations: the alleged activity often spans multiple jurisdictions.
Durham police have framed the seizure as one of the largest in the force’s history, putting a street value on the drugs of more than $7 million. They’re asking anyone with information about this case or similar incidents to contact their Drug Enforcement Unit.
Halton police Project Forge seizes opium, cocaine
In a separate case, Halton Regional Police say a drug trafficking investigation that began in fall 2025 led officers to a suspect in the GTA.
On Feb. 9, police executed search warrants at two locations and an associated vehicle. They say they seized 36 kilograms of opium, 20 kilograms of cocaine, and cash.
One report puts the cash at approximately $20,000, while another describes it as $15,000 to $20,000 in bundled Canadian currency. Halton police estimate the wholesale value of the drugs at $1.5 million.
Aden Zedan, 22, of Toronto was arrested and charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, one for cocaine and one for opium. Police say he was held in custody pending a bail hearing in Milton.
What these GTA drug busts mean locally
Neither police service has said the two investigations are connected, but both point to the same basic takeaway for residents across Durham, Halton, and Toronto: the drug supply chain doesn’t respect municipal lines, and enforcement efforts often end up crossing them too.
Halton police, in a statement from Detective Sergeant Ryan Eacrett, said the results of “Project Forge” reflect a focus on disrupting networks that distribute “toxic substances, especially opioids into our neighbourhoods,” and argued major seizures can prevent poisonings and disrupt criminal organizations.
Durham police have not made similar public comments beyond describing the size of the seizure and requesting tips, but the scale of 325 kilograms suggests investigators believe they intercepted a major shipment rather than a street-level operation.
What happens next in both cases
In Durham, the youth’s case will proceed through the courts with the identity protected under federal youth justice law. Police are still asking the public for information.
In Halton, Zedan remains facing trafficking-related charges, with the next immediate step being the bail process in Milton.
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