Region of Peel – The Peel Regional Police’s Specialized Enforcement Bureau, along with the United States Department of Homeland Security and Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario (CISO), effectively penetrated and dismantled a firearm trafficking network operating in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Initiated in October 2025 and running until July 2026, Project Red Zone was an undercover operation that led to the confiscation of 23 firearms, 824.75 grams of cocaine, and over 950 rounds of ammunition.
One firearm recovered during Project Red Zone has been connected to a homicide in Mississauga from March 2024, where one man was killed and another suffered serious injuries.
The investigation revealed that 15 of the seized firearms came from the United States. Several of these firearms are prohibited in Canada. Forensic analysis also linked the seized weapons to 14 shootings throughout the GTA.
As a result of this investigation, four individuals were arrested and charged:
Stephen Prakash Consala, a 24-year-old male from Scarborough
Firearms Trafficking x23 Trafficking Ammunition Trafficking in a Controlled Substance x9 Fail to Comply with a Release Order
Akshaya Srikanthan, a 24-year-old female from Ajax
Firearms Trafficking x11 Trafficking in a Controlled Substance x7
Sammy Shaik, a 28-year-old male from Mississauga
Janoj Dhayabaran, a 23-year-old male from Toronto
Firearms Trafficking x3 Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking
Consala and Dhayabaran were held pending bail hearings. Srikanthan and Shaik have been released and will appear before The Ontario Court of Justice at a later date.
This successful investigation was made possible through funding provided by the Ontario Government’s Ministry of the Solicitor General with support from CISO.
If anyone has information related to this investigation, they are urged to contact the Specialized Enforcement Bureau at 905-453-2121 ext. 3515.
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QUICK FACTS
Project Red Zone was an undercover operation targeting firearm trafficking in the GTA Four people were arrested and charged 23 firearms, 824.75 grams of cocaine, and 951 rounds of ammunition were seized One firearm tied to a homicide in March 2024 in Mississauga 15 firearms traced back to the U. S., with links to 14 shootings across the GTA Peel Regional Police have taken down 125 crime guns so far this year.QUOTES
“This investigation demonstrates the value of intelligence-led policing and the importance of collaboration across jurisdictions. The illegal firearms trade is increasingly interconnected, requiring law enforcement agencies to work together, share intelligence, and coordinate enforcement efforts. Through these partnerships, we can remove dangerous weapons from our streets and enhance community safety.” – Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich, Peel Regional PoliceSource link
