Peel Regional Police announced the successful conclusion of Project Red Zone, an undercover operation that infiltrated a firearm trafficking network operating across the Greater Toronto Area. The investigation, active from October 2025 until July 2026, resulted in the seizure of 23 firearms, more than 950 rounds of ammunition and 824.75 grams of cocaine, police said in a news release.
Mississauga connection
For Mississauga residents, the most consequential finding is that one of the guns seized has been forensically linked to a March 2024 homicide in the city. In that incident one man was fatally shot and another suffered serious injuries, Peel police said. Forensic analysis of the weapons in Project Red Zone also connected recovered firearms to 14 separate shootings across the GTA.
"Project Red Zone was an undercover investigation targeting a firearm trafficking network operating across the GTA."
Arrests and charges
The probe led to the arrest and charging of four people. Police identified those charged and summarised the allegations as follows:
- Stephen Prakash Consala, 24, Scarborough — multiple counts of firearms trafficking (x23), trafficking ammunition, trafficking in a controlled substance (x9), and failing to comply with a release order. Consala was held pending a bail hearing.
- Akshaya Srikanthan, 24, Ajax — firearms trafficking (x11) and trafficking in a controlled substance (x7). Srikanthan has been released and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice at a later date.
- Sammy Shaik, 28, Mississauga — trafficking ammunition. Shaik has been released and will appear before the court later.
- Janoj Dhayabaran, 23, Toronto — firearms trafficking (x3) and possession for the purpose of trafficking. Dhayabaran was held pending a bail hearing.
Scope and origins of the firearms
Investigators say forensic work determined 15 of the seized firearms originated in the United States, and that several of the recovered weapons are prohibited in Canada. Police did not provide a public breakdown of make and model for each firearm, but said the cross-border origin and the prohibition status of some weapons were key elements linking the network to serious criminal activity.
| Project outcome | Figure |
|---|---|
| Firearms seized | 23 |
| Ammunition recovered | 950+ rounds |
| Cocaine seized | 824.75 g |
| Shootings linked by forensics | 14 |
Partnerships, funding and next steps
Peel Regional Police's Specialized Enforcement Bureau conducted the operation in collaboration with the United States Department of Homeland Security and Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario (CISO). Police said the investigation was supported through funding from the Ontario government, specifically the Ministry of the Solicitor General, and that CISO provided investigative assistance.
Investigators say the undercover operation began in late 2025 and culminated in July 2026 with the arrests and seizures. Two of the accused remain held in custody pending bail hearings; two were released and are scheduled to appear in court on later dates. Police asked anyone with information about the investigation to contact the Specialized Enforcement Bureau at 905-453-2121 ext. 3515.
For Mississauga, the case underscores continuing concerns about the flow of illegal firearms into the region and the role of trafficking networks in fuelling local gun violence. Police statements and the forensic links to multiple shootings suggest investigators will pursue additional leads, and that further charges or connections may emerge as evidence is analysed and court processes move forward.
The outcome of Project Red Zone is likely to factor into broader discussions among municipal leaders, public-safety officials and community groups about prevention, enforcement and cross-border cooperation in stemming gun violence across the GTA and within Mississauga itself.
