Key Takeaways
- York Regional Police charged 23 people and are hunting one more after Project North Star, an investigation that ran from February to September 2026 into illicit cannabis production
- Searches in seven Ontario communities seized over 1,550 pounds of cannabis, two firearms and more than $250,000 in cash; the seized drugs are valued at over $7.5 million
- Zongyu Zhu, 26, of Markham is wanted, and police have shut down the group's online dispensary and dismantled its London grow operation
$7.5 Million in Drugs, 23 People Charged — and One Man Still Missing
Cannabis is legal in Ontario. But police say one criminal network built an entire business around selling it illegally — complete with a massive grow operation, an online dispensary and international shipping.
Now, that alleged operation has been dismantled.
York Regional Police announced Wednesday that 23 people have been charged, one man remains wanted, and more than $7.5 million in drugs has been seized following Project North Star.
The investigation, which ran from February to September 2026, targeted a criminal group accused of producing, trafficking and exporting illicit cannabis.
From an Ontario Grow Operation to Three Continents
Police allege the network sourced cannabis from locations across Ontario, including a large-scale grow operation in London operating entirely outside provincial cannabis regulations.
But the operation allegedly went far beyond growing and selling locally.
Investigators say the cannabis moved through the underground market, including an online illicit dispensary, and was exported to buyers across North America and into parts of Europe using commercial parcel delivery services.
The alleged business had a supply chain, an online storefront and international customers — just not a single legal licence to operate.
The Raids That Uncovered Millions
Between July and September, police executed search warrants in Markham, Scarborough, Vaughan, Burlington, Milton, London and the rural village of Ailsa Craig.
What they uncovered was substantial.
The seizures included:
- More than 1,550 pounds of cannabis and over 8.5 pounds of hashish.
- Cannabis derivatives, infused edibles, and small amounts of ketamine and cocaine.
- Two firearms and high-capacity magazines.
- Two Ford pickup trucks, including one that had been re-vinned.
- More than $250,000 in cash.
The cannabis seized from the London grow operation alone carried an estimated value of $4.8 million.
Across the entire investigation, the seized drugs were valued at over $7.5 million.
Police have since shut down the online dispensary and dismantled the London grow operation.
23 Charged. One Man Still Wanted.
Despite the raids and arrests, investigators are still searching for one person.
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 and are urging him to seek legal advice and turn himself in.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7841.
The charges have not been proven in court.
Who Was Behind Project North Star?
The investigation was led by the York Regional Police Complex Investigation Unit, working alongside the Ontario Provincial Police's Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team, the Canada Border Services Agency and the London Police Service.
Together, the agencies targeted an alleged network that police say connected illegal cannabis production in Ontario with buyers across international borders.
The Twikup Take
Seven years after cannabis legalization, Project North Star shows how an illegal market can operate alongside a legal one.
An unlicensed grow operation. An online dispensary. Commercial parcels crossing international borders. And millions of dollars in seized drugs.
Police have dismantled the grow, shut down the storefront and charged 23 people. But one suspect remains wanted.
Cannabis became legal. The underground business never disappeared.
Image: York Regional Police, via its news release.