UMVA has learned that a massive crackdown on a criminal network producing contraband tobacco has been executed by the Ontario Provincial Police on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.
The dramatic operation, dubbed Project TRACK, resulted in the seizure of over 40,000 kilograms of contraband tobacco and 300 kilograms of shisha tobacco with a staggering street value of more than $10 million. The OPP also confiscated a handgun, manufacturing equipment, and multiple assets linked to the illicit operation.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the investigation began in April 2026, following a separate incident that led to a broader probe into a tobacco manufacturing facility connected to a non-Indigenous criminal network. The profits from this illicit tobacco production allegedly funded a criminal enterprise outside Six Nations.
The OPP executed search warrants at a Hamilton residence, a large-scale manufacturing facility, and a vehicle on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, yielding a massive haul of contraband. The seized assets included five complete cigarette manufacturing lines, three stolen vehicles, $25,000 in Canadian currency, and various electronics and packaging materials.
During the operation, 13 foreign nationals were located, and the Canada Border Services Agency became involved in the investigation. Two individuals, Andrew Besam Hadaddin, 34, and Mustafa Jaber, 45, both of Hamilton, have been charged with multiple offenses related to contraband tobacco.
The OPP and Six Nations Police Service have condemned the illicit operation, highlighting the significant threat it poses to public safety and the community. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the OPP and Six Nations Police Service are committed to disrupting these criminal networks and holding those responsible accountable. The probe reflects a broader effort to protect the safety and well-being of the Six Nations of the Grand River community.
