York Regional Police have charged 23 people and are searching for another suspect after an investigation into an alleged cannabis trafficking operation that stretched across Ontario and parts of North America and Europe. Dubbed Project North Star, the investigation was launched in February 2026 and involved police in York, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Canada Border Services Agency and the London Police Service. In a news release, investigators allege the group sourced cannabis from several locations across Ontario, including a large-scale illegal grow operation in London, before distributing it through the underground market. Police say the group also operated an online illicit dispensary and allegedly shipped cannabis to destinations across North America and parts of Europe using commercial parcel delivery services. Search warrants were executed between July and September at properties in Markham, Scarborough, Vaughan, Burlington, Milton, London and the rural community of Ailsa Craig. Investigators say they seized more than 1,550 pounds of cannabis, 8.5 pounds of hashish, 4.4 pounds of cannabis derivatives, infused edibles, small quantities of ketamine and cocaine, two firearms, high-capacity magazines and more than $250,000 in Canadian currency. Two Ford pickup trucks were also seized, one of which police allege had been re-vinned. York police say the investigation resulted in the shutdown of the online dispensary and the dismantling of the London grow operation, where the cannabis seized was estimated to be worth approximately $4.8 million. Zongyu Zhu, 26, of Markham remains wanted by police. He is facing charges of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and possession for the purpose of distributing. For a full list of suspects and the charges they are facing follow this link. Police are asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact investigators.
