ISI and Khalistani Operatives
International News: In one of the largest busts in Canadian history, Peel Regional Police, supported by U.S. and Canadian agencies, seized 479 kg of cocaine worth approximately $48 million between February and May 2025. The operation, code-named Project Pelican, began in June 2024 and mapped a trail from Mexico to India through North America.
Investigators found that the drug network was using legal commercial trucking routes between the United States and Canada to smuggle large quantities of cocaine. The operation also extended to warehouses and transport companies based in the Greater Toronto Area, which were believed to play a role in the movement and storage of the narcotics.
As the investigation gained momentum, law enforcement agencies apprehended nine individuals believed to be linked to the drug-terror network. Among those arrested, seven were identified as Canadian citizens of Indian origin, hailing from cities such as Toronto, Brampton, Cambridge, Caledon, Georgetown, and Mississauga. Notable names include Sajgit Yogendraraja, Manpreet Singh, Arvinder Pawar, and several others. Beyond the large narcotics haul, officers also recovered two loaded semi-automatic handguns—an alarming discovery that underscored the group’s readiness to use force and the potentially violent nature of their operations.
Investigators believe the smuggling operation was orchestrated with support from Pakistan’s ISI. Funds from cocaine sales were allegedly funneled into anti-India causes, including pro-Khalistan protests, referendum campaigns, and potential arms deals. The group also reportedly distributed Afghan heroin, raising concerns of a broader narcotic-terrorist axis.
The origins of the massive narco-terror investigation trace back to December 2024, when two Indian-origin Canadian nationals were arrested in Illinois, USA. They were caught with over 1,000 pounds of cocaine, immediately alerting law enforcement to a potentially larger network. This high-stakes bust became the trigger for an extensive cross-border probe involving multiple intelligence agencies. As layers of the syndicate were peeled back, the need for a coordinated crackdown led to the creation of “Project Pelican,” aimed at exposing the full extent of this international drug and terror financing web.
Ontario’s Solicitor General Michael Kerzner applauded Peel Police and their allied forces for executing a high-risk international operation with accuracy.He called it strong proof of what security agencies can achieve with full backing.Global threat analysts have warned that such drug-funded terror modules may emerge elsewhere.They believe this dangerous model could inspire transnational criminal networks. He called it “a powerful example of what coordinated law enforcement can deliver when equipped with the right tools and support.” Meanwhile, international security analysts have expressed growing concern. They warn that this specific model—using profits from narcotics trafficking to bankroll anti-state activities—may set a dangerous precedent and could be replicated by other extremist or criminal groups across the globe.
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