UMVA has learned that Halton Regional Police have seized the largest cache of firearms in their history after a relentless, months‑long drug trafficking operation across the Greater Toronto Area.
The raid netted 24 handguns, half of them prohibited and the other half restricted, striking a decisive blow against a shadowy network that has long threatened community safety.
Chief of Police Stephen Tanner declared the haul a “significant step forward” in the fight to protect the public and dismantle organized crime, emphasizing the sophistication of the drug ring that spanned Halton, Toronto, York and Durham regions.
Dubbed “Project Cyprus,” the investigation sprang to life in November of last year, drawing on the expertise of the 2 District Street Crime Unit and the Criminal Intelligence Service. Over six months, detectives wove together intelligence, resources, and relentless effort to expose the operation.
In addition to the weapons, officers confiscated 16.5 kilograms of cocaine, more than 16,000 Oxycodone tablets, 3,000 ml of liquid Hydrocodone and 10,500 ml of liquid Codeine, with an estimated street value of $728,000.
Financial trails led to the seizure of over $375,000 in Canadian cash and cryptocurrency, underscoring the lucrative nature of the enterprise.
Authorities are still probing how the accused acquired the firearms, though there is no evidence the guns were used in prior crimes. The weapons are expected to be destroyed, removing a dangerous arsenal from the streets.
Deputy Chief Roger Wilkie highlighted the painstaking intelligence work that culminated in the operation, noting that the community now benefits from a substantial reduction in firepower that could have fueled future violence.
Four men—Tevin Moulton, Duo Chao “Jason” Xue, Sebastian Machado and Todd Woodman—have been charged with multiple offenses ranging from drug trafficking to firearm violations, and are being held in custody pending bail hearings.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the investigation remains active, with police vowing to continue hunting down every link in the chain that traffics guns and narcotics into neighborhoods across the GTA.
