The Peel Regional Police announced the seizure of 71 firearms and the arrest of 10 people, representing the largest ever confiscation of illegal weapons.

Police forces said at a press conference on Wednesday that the seizure was part of a large investigation into illegal international firearms and drug trafficking called "Project Chrom".

Sergeant Scott stated that the investigation into illegal firearms trafficking was launched in January 2023. Since September, police had been investigating a group of individuals trafficking illegal firearms from the United States.

In June 2024, multiple search warrants were executed across Ontario, as well as some in Detroit, Michigan.

Scott said on Wednesday, "We believe that the firearms seized in this investigation would ultimately have ended up in the hands of criminals to be used in shootings, robberies, home invasions, and other acts of violence."

"We believe this project will have a significant impact on our community."

The police said they arrested 10 individuals in connection with the investigation and charged them with a total of 185 legal offenses related to firearm trafficking and drug trafficking.

In total, 71 firearms were seized, including 67 handguns and some assault-style rifles, along with 180 rounds of ammunition. Police stated that $1 million worth of illegal drugs was seized.

Vice President Nick Milinovich said at the news conference, "Each one of these firearms, every one of the handguns or illegal firearms we recover leads to someone not being able to use that target and the fall of a victim from our community."

The police stated that seven of the arrested individuals were held for bail hearings and appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.

Among the individuals arrested were Orlando Thomas, a 38-year-old Brampton resident, Conrad Mullings, a 53-year-old resident of Toronto, and Stanley Hamisi, 44 years old, Kevin Diaz, 45 years old, in Thornhill, 30 years old, Thornhill, 30 years old, resident Jordan Richards, Omar Ranger, a 45-year-old resident of Toronto, and Sheldon Stewart, a 41-year-old resident of Leamington.

The police said the remaining three individuals were released on conditions and will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice later. Among them were Adam Kerr, a 53-year-old resident of Vaughan, and Michael Bell, a 59-year-old resident of Mississauga.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Peel Police Specialized Enforcement Office at 905-453-2121 extension 3515. Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).