Editor’s note, September 22, 2026: An Ontario court withdrew the charge against one of the accused on September 10, 2026. CityNews removed the person’s name from this article.
York Regional Police (YRP) say they have taken down a sophisticated Dark Web drug‑trafficking operation, charging five people and seizing approximately $3 million in illicit drugs, a carbine assault rifle, cryptocurrency, cash, and more than $1 million in proceeds of crime following a months‑long investigation into encrypted online drug markets.
The probe — Project Ghostwire — was led by YRP’s Guns, Gangs and Drug Enforcement Unit and Cybercrime Unit, with support from the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario. Investigators targeted a high‑volume Dark Web vendor advertising cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine and other controlled substances in quantities ranging from street‑level amounts to bulk orders of up to one kilogram.
Police say the vendor accepted cryptocurrency, communicated with buyers through encrypted Dark Web messaging, and shipped drugs using legitimate mail‑delivery services. Officers identified members of the distribution network and several addresses tied to the operation.
Massive seizure after coordinated raids
On Feb. 20, 2026, investigators executed multiple search warrants, including at a Mississauga residence allegedly used as the day‑to‑day hub of the online drug network.
Inside, officers seized:
5.5 kg fentanyl (pill and powder) — equal to 48,000 potentially fatal doses
5.5 kg methamphetamine
3.5 kg cocaine
4.5 kg ketamine
700 g heroin
5.4 kg MDMA
205 g crack cocaine
1,100+ LSD tabs
11,800 Xanax pills
290 oxycodone pills
110 hydromorphone pills
The total estimated street value is $3 million. Police also seized a carbine assault rifle, ammunition, $200,000 in cryptocurrency, $200,000 in cash, and more than $1 million in proceeds of crime, including high‑end vehicles and luxury watches.
Charges
Five people are now facing a combined slate of trafficking, conspiracy, weapons and proceeds‑of‑crime offences.
Cedric Olipano, 38, Mississauga: Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence (×9); trafficking (×9); possession for trafficking (×10); careless storage of a firearm; possession of proceeds over $5,000; possession of prohibited weapons (×2); possession of prohibited firearm without licence; possession of prohibited ammunition; unlawful production; possession of equipment for drug production/trafficking.
Lexia Oliver, 23, Toronto: Same charges as Olipano, including trafficking, conspiracy, prohibited weapons, proceeds of crime, and unlawful production.
Pui Yan Lai, 42, Oakville: Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
Benjamin Cuenta, 34, Vaughan: Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence; possession for the purpose of trafficking (×3).
York Regional Police say Project Ghostwire highlights the growing intersection between organized crime, cryptocurrency, and encrypted online marketplaces, noting that Dark Web drug networks continue to expand their reach through anonymous payment systems and legitimate shipping channels.
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Editor’s note, September 22, 2026: An Ontario court withdrew the charge against one of the accused on September 10, 2026. CityNews removed the person’s name from this article.
York Regional Police (YRP) say they have taken down a sophisticated Dark Web drug‑trafficking operation, charging five people and seizing approximately $3 million in illicit drugs, a carbine assault rifle, cryptocurrency, cash, and more than $1 million in proceeds of crime following a months‑long investigation into encrypted online drug markets.
The probe — Project Ghostwire — was led by YRP’s Guns, Gangs and Drug Enforcement Unit and Cybercrime Unit, with support from the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario. Investigators targeted a high‑volume Dark Web vendor advertising cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine and other controlled substances in quantities ranging from street‑level amounts to bulk orders of up to one kilogram.
Police say the vendor accepted cryptocurrency, communicated with buyers through encrypted Dark Web messaging, and shipped drugs using legitimate mail‑delivery services. Officers identified members of the distribution network and several addresses tied to the operation.
Massive seizure after coordinated raids
On Feb. 20, 2026, investigators executed multiple search warrants, including at a Mississauga residence allegedly used as the day‑to‑day hub of the online drug network.
Inside, officers seized:
5.5 kg fentanyl (pill and powder) — equal to 48,000 potentially fatal doses
5.5 kg methamphetamine
3.5 kg cocaine
4.5 kg ketamine
700 g heroin
5.4 kg MDMA
205 g crack cocaine
1,100+ LSD tabs
11,800 Xanax pills
290 oxycodone pills
110 hydromorphone pills
The total estimated street value is $3 million. Police also seized a carbine assault rifle, ammunition, $200,000 in cryptocurrency, $200,000 in cash, and more than $1 million in proceeds of crime, including high‑end vehicles and luxury watches.
Charges
Five people are now facing a combined slate of trafficking, conspiracy, weapons and proceeds‑of‑crime offences.
Cedric Olipano, 38, Mississauga: Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence (×9); trafficking (×9); possession for trafficking (×10); careless storage of a firearm; possession of proceeds over $5,000; possession of prohibited weapons (×2); possession of prohibited firearm without licence; possession of prohibited ammunition; unlawful production; possession of equipment for drug production/trafficking.
Lexia Oliver, 23, Toronto: Same charges as Olipano, including trafficking, conspiracy, prohibited weapons, proceeds of crime, and unlawful production.
Pui Yan Lai, 42, Oakville: Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
Benjamin Cuenta, 34, Vaughan: Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence; possession for the purpose of trafficking (×3).
York Regional Police say Project Ghostwire highlights the growing intersection between organized crime, cryptocurrency, and encrypted online marketplaces, noting that Dark Web drug networks continue to expand their reach through anonymous payment systems and legitimate shipping channels.
Keep it Factual
Add CityNews Toronto as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.
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