Numerous charges including drug trafficking, bribery, and breach of trust have been laid against seven Toronto police officers and one retired officer after a major investigation into organized crime in the Greater Toronto Area.
The charges were announced at a Feb. 5 press conference attended by York Regional Police (YRP) Chief Jim MacSween, along with Toronto police service chief Myron Demkiw and YRP Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan.
MacSween said the charges came about after a seven-month investigation called “Project South” that began last June into a number of homicides, shootings, extortion incidents, and drug trafficking. These crimes were found to be linked to police officers who had been illegally accessing and sharing information with criminals, according to MacSween.
Hogan said the investigation started when police uncovered a plot to murder an Ontario corrections institution manager at his home.
“Over a 36-hour period, a number of suspects attended this member’s home in York Region, we allege, for the purpose of murdering him,” Hogan said, adding that three suspects in masks were arrested at the scene along with seizure of a loaded handgun.
“These brazen actions highlight the clear dangers that were faced by the victim, his family, and the police officers that were there to protect him.”
Investigators say three Toronto Police Service (TPS) officers and one retired officer were involved in illegally sharing information from classified police databases and passing it on to criminals who went on to commit shootings, extortions and robberies “almost in real time” as they received the information.
Police alleged two individuals—Brian Da Costa and Elwyn Satanowsky—received this illegally accessed information. Da Costa is accused of exporting illegal cannabis to Europe and of being a major figure in criminal operations in the Toronto area, police say. Satanowsky is also accused of having criminal network ties.
Police said several others are thought to be tied to a Vaughan, Ont., shooting as well as other murder conspiracy cases.
Officers charged in the corruption probe are accused of taking bribes while agreeing to ensure that illegal cannabis dispensaries would not be investigated by law enforcement, while others trafficked cocaine and sold confidential information for profit, Hogan said.
Project South also led to additional charges being laid against 19 other suspects accused of trafficking large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and oxycodone, along with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Hogan said more than 400 officers worked on the case, which he characterized as “among the most complex and challenging investigations of my 28 year policing career.”
TPS Chief Myron Demkiw described the charges against members of the force as “painful” and “unsettling,” telling reporters during the press conference that he was “deeply disappointed” by the alleged conduct.
He also called the corruption scandal “certainly the most concerning and most significant” professional standards internal affairs matter, noting that the case is one of “incredible magnitude” and “incredible seriousness.”
Demkiw said all of the officers charged in the matter are currently suspended and he will be seeking unpaid suspensions for at least four of them.
Seventeen charges have been laid against Const. Timothy Barnhardt, including bribery, drug trafficking, firearm offences, breach of trust, and unauthorized computer use, with various charges also laid against Sgt. Robert Black, retired Const. John Madeley Sr., Const. John Madeley Jr., Sgt. Carl Grellette, Const. Saurabjit Bedi, Const. Derek McCormick, and Const. Elias Mouawad.
MacSween said Barnhardt was the “genesis” of the investigation and had links with the other officers who are accused of wrongdoing.
Ontario’s policing inspector general has been asked to conduct an independent review of how the alleged corruption happened and how it has been handled.
Police note that the investigation remains ongoing.
Editor’s note: This article was updated following a Feb. 5 press conference held by the Toronto Police Service and York Regional Police.
Jennifer Cowan contributed to this report.
