Canadian police have confiscated large quantities of fentanyl and brought charges against numerous individuals in a substantial five-month operation called the National Fentanyl Sprint 2.0, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Despite concerns raised by the U.S. administration, Canadian officials emphasized that Canada is not a primary exporter of the drug.
The operation, conducted from May to October, involved over 100 law enforcement agencies nationwide and targeted fentanyl traffickers, production facilities, distribution networks, and financial supporters. Results from the operation included 8,136 arrests and charges, as well as the seizure of 386 kilograms of fentanyl, 270 kilograms of precursor chemicals, 5,989 kilograms of cocaine, 1,708 kilograms of methamphetamine, and $13.46 million in cash.
During a media briefing, it was revealed that the seized fentanyl accounted for 78% of the total amount confiscated in Canada this year. Among the arrests made, 217 were related to fentanyl trafficking while on bail. Kevin Brosseau, the government’s fentanyl czar, expressed astonishment at the scale of the fentanyl crisis across the country.
Efforts to curb the flow of fentanyl have intensified following the re-election of U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously cited the influx of the drug into the U.S. as a reason for imposing tariffs on Canada. In response to Trump’s threats, the Canadian government allocated $1.3 billion for a border plan.
Officials clarified that most of the seized fentanyl was intended for domestic use rather than export to the U.S. Dan Anson, the director general of intelligence and investigations at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), stated that only a small amount of the confiscated fentanyl was destined for either north or southbound transportation.
The operation was carried out through the Canadian Integrated Response to Organized Crime (CIROC), a collaborative body led by the RCMP and the Sûreté du Québec to combat organized crime through intelligence gathering. Despite the success of the operation, officials did not disclose the specific organized crime groups involved.