The Waterloo Regional Police Service has concluded a multi-jurisdictional investigation into drug trafficking that resulted in the arrest of six people. The operation, called Project Deception Lake, dismantled a network involved in distributing illegal drugs across Ontario and attempting to export them internationally.
Several police forces collaborated on the investigation, including the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police. During the searches, officers seized a prohibited firearm with ammunition, luxury items—including jewelry and handbags—and more than $130,000 in cash. Authorities also recovered a wide variety of drugs, including cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and MDMA pills.
The seized items also included psilocybin (mushrooms), cannabis, and hashish. Authorities say these networks often use modern shipping and mail methods to move illegal items between different regions and across borders. In total, police seized drugs with an estimated street value of over $840,000.
One aspect of the case involved a 23-year-old man from Kitchener who is accused of trying to mail methamphetamine to Australia. The Canada Border Services Agency intercepted the packages before they could be sent overseas.
The investigation included a vehicle stop on Highway 17 East in January 2026 and search warrants at homes in Kitchener during January and February 2026. Most recently, the OPP arrested a 47-year-old man from Orangeville on March 11, 2026. The individuals involved face numerous charges, including possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime.
