More than a dozen people have been charged following an international investigation into a guns and drugs import operation spanning from Canada to South America.

Ontario provincial police said Thursday that 13 people had been arrested as a result of a year-long investigation into the importation of drugs and weapons into Canada.

Dubbed "Project Monto," OPP teamed up with officers in Toronto, York and Peel, as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canada Border Services Agency. They also worked with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

"Project Monto sends a clear and strong message that police will do everything in our power to safeguard our communities," OPP Chief Superintendent Rick Barnum said at a news conference Thursday.

The investigation began in 2014, as the group of officers looked into illegal drugs being imported from Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia and Guyana. Police said the drugs were then distrusted in the Toronto area and across Newfoundland and Labrador.

They also investigated reports of prohibited weapons coming to Canada from Florida.

Police also followed up on connections to Central and South America, but did not provide details of which countries in those regions were involved.

During the course of the investigation, police seized a total of 123 kilograms of cocaine worth approximately $12.2 million. Project Monto investigators seized 22 firearms and $146,000 in cash. Four vehicles were also seized.

As a result of the investigation, 13 people have been charged with a total of 48 offences. A dozen of those charged are residents of the Toronto area, while one man is from Guyana, and has yet to be located. A list of those charged is available online. http://www.opp.ca/media/monto/files/monto-addendum-opp.pdf

Officers said the investigation is ongoing.