York Regional Police have charged five people and seized approximately $3 million worth of illicit drugs, a firearm, cryptocurrency, cash and more than $1 million in proceeds of crime following a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking through Dark Web marketplaces and encrypted online platforms.

Project Ghostwire was led by the York Regional Police Guns, Gangs and Drug Enforcement Unit and the Cybercrime Unit in partnership with Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario. 

The investigation targeted the online sale and distribution of controlled substances through the Dark Web and other encrypted communication platforms.

The Dark Web is a concealed portion of the internet that is not indexed by conventional search engines and is generally accessed through specialized browsers.

Investigators identified a high-volume Dark Web vendor advertising cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine and other controlled substances for sale in quantities ranging from street-level amounts to bulk orders of up to one kilogram.

The vendor accepted cryptocurrency and used private messages through Dark Web platforms to communicate with purchasers. Investigators identified that drugs were packaged and shipped through legitimate mail-delivery services.

Officers identified members of the distribution network and identified several addresses connected to the investigation.

On February 20,  investigators executed multiple search warrants, including a residence in Mississauga being used in the day-to-day operation of the online drug distribution network.

Police seized more than 5.5 kilograms of fentanyl in pill and powder form, which is equal to approximately 48,000 potentially fatal doses. Additionally, 5.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, 3.5 kilograms of cocaine, 4.5 kilograms of ketamine, 700 grams of heroin, 5.4 kilograms of MDMA, 205 grams of crack cocaine, more than 1,100 tabs of LSD, 11,800 Xanax pills, 290 oxycodone pills and 110 hydromorphone pills were also seized. 

The total estimated street value of the drugs seized is approximately $3 million.

Officers also seized a carbine assault rifle and ammunition, approximately $200,000 in cryptocurrency, $200,000 in Canadian currency and more than $1 million in proceeds of crime, including high-end vehicles and luxury watches.

The successful completion of this investigation was made possible through funding provided by the Ontario Government, Ministry of the Solicitor General, and support from Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario.