Toronto Police Say Project Matrix, a 55 Division Major Crime Unit Initiative Targeting Illegal Firearms and Drug Trafficking in the City’s East End, Has Resulted in 44 Arrests and 187 Charges, and That Eight Illegal Firearms, 792 Rounds of Ammunition and a Significant Quantity of Drugs Were Seized (October 28, 2026)

Toronto police say a coordinated enforcement initiative called Project Matrix, begun on March 1 by the 55 Division Major Crime Unit to target illegal firearms, drug trafficking and related criminal activity in the city’s east end, has resulted in 44 people being arrested and 187 charges. Police say investigators seized eight illegal firearms, 792 rounds of ammunition and a significant quantity of drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, MDMA, cannabis, psilocybin and LSD. Global News, CP24 and Beach Metro reported the results on October 28, 2026. The people charged have not been named.

Legal status: Charged. The 187 charges have not been tested in court and everyone charged is presumed innocent.

What Project Matrix Was

Global News and CP24 describe Project Matrix as a coordinated enforcement initiative launched on March 1 by the Major Crime Unit of Toronto Police 55 Division, which covers the city’s east end. CP24 reports that it combined several investigations into people allegedly involved in firearms and drug offences. Beach Metro gives the start as March 1 of this year.

Det.-Sgt. Andy Johnstone of the 55 Division Major Crime Unit is quoted by Global News from the police news release as saying “Public safety is our priority” and “This initiative will continue.” CP24 quotes him as saying the unit’s investigators are focused on identifying, disrupting and holding accountable those involved in illegal firearms and drug trafficking, and that “We will remain relentless in these efforts.”

The Charges and the Seizures

CP24 reports that the most common offences were breach of probation; “careless use, handling, or storage of a firearm”; possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking; and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. Global News lists the same four kinds of charge as the most frequent. Beach Metro’s opening describes “more than 180 charges”; its report, like Global News, gives the figure as 187.

CP24 reports police as saying that “As these cases are before the courts, further identifying information is not being released.” Anyone with information is asked to call Toronto police at 416-808-5500, according to CP24.

Everyone charged is presumed innocent, and none of the charges has been tested in court. The allegations are those of the Toronto Police Service, as reported by Global News, CP24 and Beach Metro. No gang or criminal organization has been named in connection with this case.