Ontario Provincial Police say they have made the largest drug seizure in the force's history as part of an international investigation into a cocaine smuggling ring.
OPP say three Toronto-area men were responsible for allegedly importing more than 1,000 kilograms of pure cocaine into Canada from Argentina.
3 men from Vaughan, Brampton, toronto nabbed in $250 (retail) cocaine bust. Heading thru port of Montreal to gta in bricks hidden in cncrte pic.twitter.com/QVJFEBIESw
— Peter Edwards (@PeterEdwards3) August 28, 2017
They say the investigation — dubbed "Project Hope" — was conducted with the Canada Border Services Agency and the United States Drug Enforcement Agency, among other organizations.
Police allege the cocaine was transported in shipping containers to Montreal, and then sent to Ontario.
Over 1 TONNE of pure cocaine stopped from entering our communities to keep those we serve safe with biggest bust in #OPP history. pic.twitter.com/oo6qIFFu8K
— Ontario Prov Police (@OPP_News) August 28, 2017
They say they worked with border guards and found various caches of cocaine at a CBSA warehouse, in the Port of Montreal and in Stoney Creek, Ont., near Hamilton.
Three men face drug importation and drug trafficking charges.
Biggest drug bust in #OPP history - 1,062 kilos pure cocaine, approx. street value $250M https://t.co/ITgGLE8HCf https://t.co/gGeYiQlQmz
— Ontario Prov Police (@OPP_News) August 28, 2017
Photo: Ontario Prov Police/Twitter