Ontario Provincial Police say a large-scale organized auto theft network has been dismantled following a joint investigation with the Canada Border Services Agency known as Project CHICKADEE.
Police say the investigation focused on both the theft of vehicles across Ontario and their illegal export through freight forwarding companies to international markets, including the Middle East and West Africa. As a result, 306 stolen vehicles valued at approximately $25 million were recovered.
The OPP-led Provincial Auto Theft and Towing Team began the investigation in August 2023 after four stolen vehicles were recovered in the Greater Toronto Area. Police say evidence pointed to the involvement of registered freight forwarding businesses using fraudulent documentation to ship stolen vehicles overseas.
Investigators inspected shipping containers at the ports of Montréal, Vancouver and Halifax in an effort to intercept stolen vehicles before they left Canada. Police say the investigation revealed links to transnational organized crime.
Search warrants were executed in multiple Ontario communities and one location in Québec. Police say they seized firearms, vehicle keys, licence plates, shipping documents, forklifts, tractor-trailer cabs, and more than $190,000 Canadian and $32,000 U.S. in cash, along with electronic devices.
Twenty individuals have been arrested and charged with a total of 134 offences under the Criminal Code, Customs Act and Cannabis Act. Police say financial intelligence from FINTRAC and assistance from numerous policing agencies supported the investigation.
The OPP says it remains committed to disrupting organized auto theft and preventing stolen vehicles from being exported. Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
