Full Breakdown
Peel Regional Police seize 23 firearms in Project Red Zone operation
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Police in Peel Region announced the conclusion of a ten-month undercover investigation, dubbed Project Red Zone, that resulted in the seizure of 23 firearms, more than 950 rounds of ammunition and roughly 825 grams of cocaine. The operation, carried out across Mississauga, Ajax and Scarborough, also led to the arrest of four individuals linked to the illegal-firearms network.
Background & Context
Project Red Zone was launched in October 2025 after investigators uncovered intelligence suggesting a flow of illicit weapons into the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Authorities said the trafficking network exploited the trucking industry and Pearson International Airport as primary entry points, positioning Peel as a conduit for firearms moving elsewhere in Canada.
Data & Statistics
- Firearms seized: 23 total; 15 traced to the United States.
- Link to violent crime: 14 of the guns have been connected to shootings across the GTA; one Glock 23 Gen 4 was tied to a March 2024 homicide in Mississauga that left a 28-year-old man dead and another man seriously injured.
- Ammunition: over 950 rounds recovered.
- Cocaine: approximately 824.75 grams seized.
- Arrests: four suspects detained.
Official Statements & Responses
Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich emphasized that the majority of illegal firearms entering Canada originate south of the border and described the seized weapons as “tools of violence” used in extortion, car-jackings and gang-related shootings. Det. Sgt. Mark Mazzocato highlighted Peel’s role as a gateway for illicit arms, while Det. Michael Bishop noted the strategic importance of the region’s transport hubs. The investigation was conducted with support from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario, underscoring a collaborative approach to curb cross-border gun trafficking.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Approximately 90 per cent of the illegal firearms that we see originate from the U.S.,” — Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich
- “The reality is we do see Peel as a gateway to the rest of the country,” — Det. Sgt. Mark Mazzocato
- “We couldn’t do the work and have the results we have without the partnerships locally, nationally, even internationally,” — Nick Milinovich, deputy chief
- “More than half of the firearms have been used in shootings throughout the GTA,” — Nick Milinovich, deputy chief