PROJECT NORTH STAR: Illegal cannabis operation shut down, 23 arrests in Toronto and beyond

Investigators claim the illicit cannabis was being distributed through the black market and exported across North America and parts of Europe

Published Nov 04, 2026  •  3 minute read

Search warrants executed between July and September 2026 in Markham, Scarborough, Vaughan, Burlington, Milton, London, and the rural village of Ailsa Craig, northwest of London, led to the seizure of more than 700 kg of cannabis and other illicit drugs as well as two firearms, high-capacity magazines, two pickup trucks, and more than $250,000 in cash. Photo by Handout /York Regional Police

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A massive joint-forces drug investigation, dubbed Project North Star, has resulted in 23 arrests in the GTHA and beyond as well as the seizure of more than $7.5 million in illegal cannabis.

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York Regional Police say the probe — led by officers in their Complex Investigation Unit, in partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team, the Canada Border Services Agency and the London Police Service — focused on a criminal group involved in the production, trafficking and exportation of illicit cannabis.

“Investigators allege the group sourced illicit cannabis from locations across Ontario, including a large-scale illicit cannabis grow operation in the city of London,” police said in a statement released Wednesday, explaining Project North Star ran from February to September.

“Investigators determined the cannabis was produced outside Ontario’s cannabis regulation before being distributed through the underground market, including through an online illicit dispensary,” police alleged.

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“Investigators also determined members of the group allegedly exported cannabis throughout North America and parts of Europe using commercial parcel delivery services.”

Search warrants executed between July and September 2026 in Markham, Scarborough, Vaughan, Burlington, Milton, London, and the rural village of Ailsa Craig, northwest of London, led to the seizure of more than 700 kg of cannabis and other illicit drugs as well as two firearms, high-capacity magazines, two pickup trucks, and more than $250,000 in cash. Photo by Handout /York Regional Police

Search warrants executed between July and September

Police said search warrants were executed between July and September at locations in Markham, Scarborough, Vaughan, Burlington, Milton, London, and the rural village of Ailsa Craig, northwest of London.

The searches allegedly resulted in the seizure of more than 700 kg of cannabis, nearly 4 kg of hashish, nearly 2 kg of cannabis derivatives, a small quantity of ketamine and cocaine, various quantities of infused edibles, two firearms, high-capacity magazines, two Ford pickup trucks (one re-vinned), and more than $250,000 in cash.

Search warrants executed between July and September 2026 in Markham, Scarborough, Vaughan, Burlington, Milton, London, and the rural village of Ailsa Craig, northwest of London, led to the seizure of more than 700 kg of cannabis and other illicit drugs as well as two firearms, high-capacity magazines, two pickup trucks, and more than $250,000 in cash. Photo by Handout /York Regional Police

“As a result of the project, investigators shut down the illicit cannabis dispensary and dismantled the illicit grow operation in London,” police said. “The cannabis seized from the London grow operation was estimated to have a value of approximately $4.8 million alone.”

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So far, 23 people have been arrested as part of Project North Star.

Search warrants executed between July and September 2026 in Markham, Scarborough, Vaughan, Burlington, Milton, London, and the rural village of Ailsa Craig, northwest of London, led to the seizure of more than 700 kg of cannabis and other illicit drugs as well as two firearms, high-capacity magazines, two pickup trucks, and more than $250,000 in cash. Photo by Handout /York Regional Police

Charged with various offences are Qihang Lin, 22, Yongtao Zou, 23, Enshuang Liu, 46, Lijuan Zhang, 44, Meixia Fan, 40, Shenyong Feng, 44, Ming Cong Zhu, 39, Bao Dong Lin, 50, Lucy Fang, 62, and Oscar Yao Ma, 35, all of Toronto, Shu Ying Li, 41, Shi Shun Li, 74, Jiahou Xu, 26, Da Hai LIiu, 45, Chun-Ho Lee, 31, and Zhong Chen, 39, all of Markham, Nguyen Nelson Duong, 55, and Thi Hong Bui, 52, both of Milton, Brandon Nguyen, 29, Shannon Ray, 31, both of Burlington, Xue Wu Huang, 45, of Vaughan, Neil David Connolly, 39, and Souphin Inlakhana, 46, both of Ailsa Craig.

Project North Star led to the seizure of more than $7.5 million in illegal cannabis and 23 arrests, but Zongyu Zhu, 26, of Markham, is still wanted for conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and possession for the purpose of distributing. Photo by Handout /York Regional Police

One suspect still sought

Investigators are still looking for one suspect.

Zongyu Zhu, 26, of Markham, is wanted for conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and possession for the purpose of distributing.

Police have released his photo hoping members of the public can help track him down.

“He is encouraged to seek legal advice and turn himself in to police,” cops said. “Investigators remind the public that anyone who knowingly assists a person in evading police may be subject to criminal charges.”

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Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Zongyu Zhu, or this investigation, is urged to call the York Regional Police Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7841.

[email protected]

@sundoucette

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