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Peel police seized more than 200 boxes of opium-derived doda from three locations around the GTA, including this storage unit, on Monday, March 15, 2010. (Peel police photo)

Peel police drug unit officers arrested a Brampton man on Monday after discovering more than $2.5 million worth of doda, an illegal opium-based spice available mainly within the South Asian community.

Police searched homes in Brampton and Toronto and a storage unit in Mississauga and found more than 200 boxes containing 1,282 kilograms of doda. They estimate the total value of the quantity seized at $2,564,000.

Bhagat Singh, 46, is charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. He is scheduled to appear in a Brampton court on Thursday.

Doda is made from grinding dried poppy husks or deeds into a fine powder. In some Canadian seizures, it has also been found to contain traces of codeine and morphine. Police warn it can be highly addictive.

Users often mix it with hot water or tea to achieve a high that is similar -- but milder than -- other opiates such as morphine or heroin.