Ontario Provincial Police seized more than 40,000 kilograms of contraband tobacco in a police raid on Six Nations of the Grand River territory on June 11. Officers said the illegal manufacturing facility also held 300 kilograms of shisha tobacco, five complete cigarette manufacturing lines and $25,000 in cash.
The street value of the tobacco products was estimated at more than $10 million. Two men from Hamilton were arrested, and police identified 13 people as foreign nationals during searches at a home in Hamilton, a facility on Seneca Road near First Line and a vehicle.
Project TRACK in April 2026
OPP said Project TRACK began after a separate incident involving the Six Nations Police Service in April 2026. The operation brought together the OPP's Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, the Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Team, the Six Nations Police Service, the Tactics and Rescue Unit, the Emergency Response Team, the Aviation Unit, the Community Street Crime Units, the Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit, Ontario's Ministry of Finance and Canada Border Services Agency.
Mike Stoddart, the OPP chief superintendent, said, "This investigation highlights the significant role criminal networks play in the manufacturing and distribution of contraband tobacco in Ontario," and added, "These illegal operations not only undermine public safety but also exploit communities for profit. Through strong collaboration with our partners, we remain committed to disrupting these networks and holding those responsible accountable."
Six Nations of the Grand River
Chief Darren Montour said, "This operation involved non-Indigenous criminal networks exploiting Indigenous lands, with profits that did not benefit our community." Police said profits from the operation were being channelled to an external criminal enterprise, while the searches recovered a gun, three stolen vehicles, a truck, cellphones, other electronics and packaging material tied to the site.
Andrew Besam Hadaddin, 34, and Mustafa Jaber, 45, both of Hamilton, were charged in connection with Project TRACK. Each faces charges of trafficking contraband tobacco, possession of tobacco manufacturing equipment, manufacturing tobacco product without a licence, and unlawful possession or sale of tobacco products.
The case now turns to the charges laid against the two Hamilton men and the wider work of the agencies that carried out the June 11 searches. The seizure leaves a large illegal supply chain disrupted, with officers saying the tobacco, equipment and cash all formed part of the same operation.
