York Regional Police have dismantled a large-scale illicit cannabis network dubbed Project North Star, resulting in 23 arrests and the seizure of $4.8 million worth of product in London, Ontario. The multi-agency operation, which concluded following a investigation spanning February to September 2026, targeted illegal production, trafficking, and international exportation.
The investigation reveals a complex web of illicit distribution that extended far beyond local Ontario borders. While the primary grow operation was centered in London, the network utilized commercial parcel delivery services to move product across North America and into parts of Europe.
Project North Star Seizure Details
The coordinated enforcement effort involved the York Regional Police’s Complex Investigation Unit, the Ontario Provincial Police Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team, the Canada Border Services Agency, and the London Police Service. Search warrants executed between July and September 2026 at sites in Markham, Scarborough, Vaughan, Burlington, Milton, London, and Ailsa Craig yielded significant quantities of illicit materials.
| Seized Item | Quantity/Value |
|---|---|
| Cannabis (London grow site) | $4.8 Million (Estimated) |
| Cannabis (Total seizure) | 1,550+ pounds |
| Hashish | 8.5+ pounds |
| Cannabis derivatives | 4.4+ pounds |
| Cash | $250,000+ |
Beyond the cannabis products, police uncovered a small quantity of ketamine and cocaine, along with two firearms and high-capacity magazines. Investigators also seized two Ford pickup trucks, noting that one vehicle had allegedly been re-vinned.
Ontario Residents Face Multiple Drug and Property Charges in Project North Star
The 23 individuals charged in connection with Project North Star represent a cross-section of communities across Ontario. Among those facing charges are two residents of Ailsa Craig, aged 39 and 46. They are currently charged with possession for the purpose of distributing, possession of illicit cannabis, distributing with the intent to produce or sell, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
The operation relied on an online illicit dispensary to move product that was produced entirely outside of Ontario’s regulated framework.
The Global Supply Chain Challenge
The use of commercial parcel services to export cannabis to international markets, including parts of Europe, marks a change in how regional criminal networks attempt to scale their operations.
With the investigation into Project North Star resulting in charges against 23 individuals, the focus now turns to the judicial process for those accused.
