A major police crackdown in downtown Oshawa has led to 267 arrests and significant drug seizures during its first four months, the Durham Regional Police Service announced on August 4, 2026.
Project Atlantis, which began in April and runs until the end of the year, focuses on drug-related crime and public disorder that residents and businesses have long complained about. The announcement details seizures of approximately 45 grams of fentanyl, 674 grams of cocaine, 12 grams of crack cocaine, and more than $10,000 in proceeds of crime.
The initiative is a partnership between police, the City of Oshawa, Municipal By-law Enforcement, and Oshawa Corporate Security. Police say the goal is clear: to reduce crime, disrupt drug activity, and restore community confidence in the downtown core.
Superintendent James Lamothe of the Central East Division said the operation is a direct response to local concerns. “Our goal is clear: reduce crime, disorder and disrupt drug-related activity and most importantly restore community confidence,” he stated.
Project Atlantis is now in its second year under this specific framework, but it marks the fifth straight year of targeted downtown safety efforts in Oshawa. The city has consistently ranked among Canada’s most dangerous, with a Crime Index of 60.2, fueling calls for sustained police presence.
