Stay informed
OPP, CBSA announce 20 arrests, 300 vehicles recovered in auto theft investigation
The Ontario Provincial Police on Wednesday announced the dismantling of an auto theft criminal organization and the recovery of more than 300 vehicles valued at approximately $25 million and destined for foreign markets including the Middle East and West Africa.
In addition, 20 arrests were made and 134 charges laid for offences contrary to the Criminal Code, the Customs Act and the Cannabis Act. Police also recovered firearms, licence plates, forklifts and tractor-trailer cabs, and more than $200,000 in Canadian and American cash.
Under the code name Project Chickadee, the OPP-led Provincial Auto Theft and Towing (PATT) team and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have been working together since August 2023.
Detective Inspector Scott Wade of the OPP’s Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau said the recovery of four stolen vehicles in the Greater Toronto Area at that time showed evidence of involvement by freight forwarding companies and drivers using registered businesses and fraudulent documentation to ship stolen vehicles to the Middle East and West Africa.
He noted that further investigation revealed the criminal organization had international reach and association to transnational organized crime groups.
“We inspected shipping containers in transit and at the port of Montreal, the port of Vancouver and the port of Halifax, intercepting stolen vehicles before they could leave Canada,” Wade said at Wednesday’s press conference.
He added that, as part of Project Chickadee, four search warrants were executed in Toronto, Vaughan, Woodbridge and Etobicoke on Oct. 16, and police seized $30,000 in currency, several vehicles, key programmers and various Ontario licence plates. One individual was arrested and charged with auto theft. Two others fled but were later apprehended.
Then on Nov. 27, search warrants were executed by multiple police forces at 23 residential and industrial locations and 13 vehicles in the GTA and surrounding area, as well as in Saint-Eustache, Quebec.
The 20 accused include owners/operators of several registered businesses within the freight forwarding sector, as well as individuals allegedly involved in the theft of vehicles across Ontario.
Police said most of the accused remain in custody, but three have been released on conditions. OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique called for changes to sentencing and bail.
“When it comes to dangerous and repeat offenders who continue to victimize communities, bail should be a reverse onus that is on the accused, and not the way it’s currently been running.”
“The OPP and partner agencies are to be commended on the tremendous success of Project Chickadee,” Bryan Gast, national vice president of investigative services at Équité Association, said in a statement. “These are financially motivated crimes, and organized criminal networks are at the root seeking to profit from the $1 billion of vehicles stolen every year in Canada.”
The OPP asks anyone with any information in relation to this investigation or auto theft activity to contact them at 1-888-310-1122, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
Unpublished Newswire
Comments
Be the first to comment