Twenty three illegal guns that were fuelling violence across the GTA are now off our streets. One of them was used in a homicide.
Project Red Zone was a nine month undercover operation targeting an alleged firearms trafficking network across the Greater Toronto Area. It was led by Peel Regional Police’s Specialized Enforcement Bureau, which focuses on narcotics, guns and gangs, and human trafficking. From October 2025 to July 2026, undercover officers worked their way inside the network. Their work led to the seizure of 23 illegal firearms, 951 rounds of ammunition and nearly 825 grams of cocaine, and four people have been charged.
Fifteen of the 23 firearms came from the United States, and several are prohibited in Canada. This is part of a larger pattern. About 90 per cent of the illegal guns seized in Peel come from the U.S. Stopping them at the border has to be a priority.
Forensic analysis has connected 14 of the recovered firearms to shootings across the GTA. One was linked to a March 2024 homicide in Mississauga that killed one person and seriously injured another.
These guns are used in extortions, home invasions, carjackings and gang violence. Every one we take off the street means less risk to our families and our businesses.
I want to recognize Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich, the Specialized Enforcement Bureau and the undercover officers who put their own safety at risk to carry out this investigation. I also want to thank the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. People who traffic guns do not respect borders, and partnerships like this one are how we stop them.
Thank you as well to the Government of Ontario and the Ministry of the Solicitor General, who funded this investigation through Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario.
Media Quote
“Twenty three dangerous firearms are off our streets because of the courage of the officers behind Project Red Zone. This will save lives. Thank you to Peel Regional Police and to every partner who made our region and our country safer.” – Mayor Patrick Brown
