Project Decoy and Project Incognito Mass 28 Arrests Include 20 Out of Town Drug Dealers
THUNDER BAY – NEWS – Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) has dismantled significant arms of the city’s illicit drug trade, announcing the results of two major drug trafficking investigations—Project Decoy and Project Incognito—that led to the seizure of illegal drugs valued at more than $1 million, seven firearms, and two vehicles.
But the impact of drug trafficking extends far beyond the numbers.
“These are not just street stats—each gram of fentanyl, each illegal gun taken off the streets, means one less family shattered by addiction, one less child growing up in chaos, Drug dealers don’t just traffic substances—they traffic despair.”
Street-Level Crackdown: Project Decoy
Running from October to December 2024, Project Decoy focused on neighbourhood-level enforcement, responding directly to public complaints. The project netted over $750,000 worth of drugs, $160,000 in cash, and four firearms. In total, 38 people were arrested, racking up 215 charges.
The project reveals the persistent dangers lurking in residential areas, where drug operations exploit vulnerable individuals, prey on addiction, and destabilize entire communities.
Organized Trafficking Targeted: Project Incognito
Project Incognito reached its climax with March 13 raids at two Thunder Bay residences. Police seized cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, along with trafficking paraphernalia and two handguns. Six individuals were arrested, and the drugs seized are estimated to be worth $300,000.
Notably, more than 20 of the accused across both projects are non-district offenders, underscoring the growing infiltration of organized criminal networks from outside the region.
The Human Toll
Behind every raid lies a deeper reality: children living in homes used as stash houses, loved ones lost to overdoses, and communities eroded by violence and fear. Drug dealers trade in poison that fuels generational trauma and strips dignity from families across Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.
Support and Next Steps
The investigations were made possible with funding from the Ministry of the Solicitor General through Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario, reinforcing the importance of inter-agency cooperation in tackling drug trafficking.
All accused have appeared in court, with future appearances scheduled.
The community continues to wait, hoping these arrests mark a turning point in Thunder Bay’s ongoing fight against the drug crisis.
