Ontario Provincial Police reported that a joint investigation with authorities in the United States, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, led to the largest seizure of pistols and assault rifles in the province's history.

According to the police, 274 illegal firearms were seized, including 168 in the United States and 106 in Ontario, as part of Project Saxum, an investigation led by the Ontario Provincial Police, and Dual Approach, an investigation led by the United States conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) field office in Buffalo.

The police stated that investigators in the United States confiscated 168 firearms that were heading to Canada, while law enforcement authorities in Ontario seized 106 firearms.

Special Agent for HSI Buffalo, Matthew Scarbino, who led Dual Approach, said the purpose of the investigation, which began in the fall of 2023, was to disrupt a "transnational criminal organization" operating between the United States and Canada.

 HSI claims  that the suspect traveled to Florida to obtain weapons

Scarbino said during a press conference at the police headquarters in Orillia, Ontario, on Thursday: “The criminal network sought to establish a pipeline for smuggling firearms from the United States, specifically Florida, to Ontario, Canada, using international entry ports in Buffalo, the Niagara region.” 

He added that the investigation involved multiple undercover operations and eventually led to the arrest of a dual American-Canadian citizen, whom police allege traveled to Florida specifically for the purpose of smuggling weapons into Canada.

On the other side of the border, the Regional Weapons Enforcement Unit of the Public Prosecution Office began its investigations in early 2023.

Lee Fulford told reporters at today's press conference, “The focus of Project Saxum was to infiltrate a group of individuals who were seeking to smuggle firearms in the Greater Toronto Area.”

Additional suspects affiliated with several criminal networks were identified.

According to Fulford, the police ultimately identified five separate criminal networks that were trafficking illegal weapons in the area.

In Ontario, 17 search warrants were executed in the Greater Toronto Area and Niagara region, resulting in the seizure of weapons and drugs.

Sixteen suspects have been arrested in connection with the investigation conducted by the Public Prosecution Office, and one suspect remains at large. So far, 279 charges have been laid in relation to Project Saxum.

"A 'concerning' order on how quickly the weapons are resold"

Fulford said that among more than 100 firearms seized in Ontario, 88 were illegal pistols, including AK and AR model pistols.

He pointed out that some weapons were converted to fire automatic rounds, and Fulford said the vast majority of firearms seized in Ontario originated from the United States.

Fulford said: "What was concerning was the speed at which the firearms would be resold after entering the province."

"Our investigation revealed that firearm suppliers would receive lists of firearms available for sale. Within days, or sometimes even hours, all illegal firearms would be sold."

As part of Project Saxum, the Public Prosecution Office said 1,700 rounds of ammunition were seized, along with large quantities of methamphetamine, high-potency fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and magic mushrooms.