Three men from Barrie are among the 27 that have been charged by York regional police (YRP) as of Thursday as part of an organized crime and corruption investigation allegedly involving bribery, conspiracy to commit murder and drug trafficking, among other offences.
The investigation, known as Project South, was led by YRP and resulted in the arrest of seven Toronto Police officers and one retired constable. There are also 19 additional suspects including two youth that are also facing charges.
Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan alleges Toronto officers accessed personal information and provided it to individuals who then carried out crimes including shootings, extortions and robberies. He further alleged some of the cops trafficked cocaine and accepted bribes to support illegal cannabis dispensaries.
He says the investigation began in June after a vehicle rammed a marked York police cruiser parked at the home of an Ontario corrections facility officer, in what is alleged to be a conspiracy to commit murder. It was the third time within 36 hours suspects had gone to the home, which sparked the broader investigation.
"This is among the most complex and challenging investigations of my 28-year policing career," Hogan added Thursday about the effort that's involved more than 300 officers.
It's alleged that Toronto police Const. Timothy Barnhardt gave personal information to Brian Da Costa, a man suspected of several drug trafficking and bribery offences who was among several suspects allegedly seeking confidential information from officers.
"We allege that Mr. Da Costa is a key figure in a criminal network operating within the Greater Toronto Area, with in fact significant international ties," Hogan said at a press conference in Aurora.
Retired Toronto police Const. John Madeley Sr., as well as his son, Const. John Madeley Jr., were among those arrested following affiliation with the service.
The 55-year-old retiree from Barrie is charged with breach of trust, four counts of unauthorized use of a computer, possession of a prohibited firearm and device, and possession of more than $5,000 worth of property obtained by crime.
After retiring in April, he has had trouble with the law multiple times, including being arrested on January 13 in Barrie in connection to a separate extortion investigation. From that arrest, he was booked on nine charges including four counts of unauthorized use of a computer and breach of trust.
His 29-year-old son, also of Barrie, faces two charges: breach of trust and unauthorized use of a computer.
Hogan says the Madeleys are alleged to have "unlawfully accessed and distributed confidential information."
Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw called the case "painful and unsettling" and said the allegations against the cops do not represent the force.
"No corner of society is immune from the reach of organized crime. But when organized crime penetrates the Toronto Police Service, the harm goes far beyond the immediate wrongdoing," Demkiw said at Thursday's press conference.
"Corruption has no place in policing. It strikes at the trust people place in us."
Demkiw said the accused officers have been suspended and he will seek to suspend at least four of them without pay, in line with policing laws. He added that officials have asked the province's policing inspector general to conduct an independent investigation and the force will fully co-operate.
He further stated that he was not given the opportunity to make investigative decisions or impact the direction of the investigation in an effort to maintain its integrity.
A statement from the Toronto Police Service Board said it has asked the inspector general to look into issues including supervision, recruitment screening, access to databases and more.
"The board believes such an inspection is necessary to provide the public with a credible and transparent assessment, and to identify any steps needed to strengthen accountability and public safety," the statement said.
A spokesperson for the Toronto Police Association said Wednesday it would ensure its members receive due process. The union had no further comment about the investigation or the officers involved.
The third suspect from Barrie, a 33-year-old male that works as an armed guard for Brink's Canada, was charged with conspiracy to commit an extortion and two counts of careless storage of a firearm.
Police say 19 additional suspects have also been arrested in the alleged scheme, including two youths. That group includes a 23-year-old man from Innisfil and a 31-year-old man from Bradford.
The Innisfil man faces 22 charges, including eight counts of discharging a firearm with intent and attempt to commit murder.
Meanwhile, the Bradford man faces six charges, including trafficking fentanyl, oxycodone, and cocaine.
—with files from the Canadian Press
