More than 25,000 kg (or 25 metric tonnes) of contraband tobacco and 15 firearms have been seized following an investigation into a criminal network producing and manufacturing contraband tobacco on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau’s (OCEB) began Project PANDA in February 2025 to support the Six Nations Police Service. This investigation involved a tobacco manufacturing facility operated by members of a non-Indigenous criminal network who do not reside on the territory. The profits were not invested in or utilized by the community.
On Friday, March 21, 2025, and Thursday, March 27, 2025, members from OCEB, the Six Nations Police Service, the OPP Provincial Operations Intelligence Bureau, Burlington OPP and Brant County OPP executed search warrants on vehicles that departed from the manufacturing facility on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, which led to the seizure of approximately 11.1 million contraband cigarettes with an estimated street value of $2.8 million.
On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, three search warrants were executed in Ancaster, Brantford and on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory by members from:
- OPP OCEB
- Six Nations Police Service
- OPP Emergency Response Team
- OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit
- OPP Community Street Crime Units in Haldimand/Norfolk County, Perth County, Huron County, Brant County, Elgin/Middlesex
- Brant County OPP Crime Unit
- OPP Provincial Liaison Team
- Highway 407 OPP, Burlington OPP and Haldimand OPP
- OPP Digital Forensics and Forensic Identification Services
As a result of the search warrants executed on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, officers seized 25,000 kg of contraband tobacco (fine cut tobacco and cigarettes) with an estimated street value of more than $6.29 million.
The investigative team also seized the following:
- More than 1,360 lbs of illegal cannabis and a large quantity of other illegal cannabis products (street value of approximately $3 million)
- Approximately 3.16 kg of psilocybin (street value of approximately $31,600)
- 15 firearms
- Multiple skids of contraband tobacco packaging material
The investigation is ongoing. More information will be provided when available.
