Mexican subject to a deportation order charged after OPP bust cocaine trafficking network

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Four suspects — including a Mexican national subject to a deportation order — face drug charges and another is on the lam after nearly 300 kilograms of suspected cocaine — worth about $29 million on the street — was seized by police officers in the GTA and Gravenhurst, according to the OPP.

Members of the  OPP’s Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team executed search warrants on Dec. 13 and again on Jan. 16-17 at residences and vehicles in Mississauga, Toronto, Ajax, Markham and Gravenhurst.

Officers, who were participating in Project Shearwater, found the suspected cocaine, and more than $50,000 in Canadian currency.

“This quantity of cocaine is a significant seizure and is the result of excellent investigative work by dedicated members of the OPP and our partners,” said OPP Chief Supt. Mike Stoddart. “These investigators work countless hours to preserve the safety of our province by deterring, detecting and disrupting criminal activity, keeping our communities safe and secure.”

The four people arrested face a combined total of 11 charges.

Javier Luis Martinez Hernandez, 29, of London, has been charged with possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine.

Jason Tsang, 40, of Markham, Sajjad Wadiwalla, 42, of Ajax, and Philippe Payeur, 48, Toronto, face drug trafficking charges.

An arrest warrant has been issued for the fifth man, Brian Nelson, 38 of Toronto, who is wanted for conspiracy to commit an indictable offence — trafficking cocaine.