7 Toronto cops arrested for coruption

Update: Three more officers suspended

CTV is reporting that "Seven Toronto police officers have been arrested and charged in connection with what York Regional Police (YRP) are calling a lengthy investigation into organized crime and corruption, multiple sources have told CP24 and CTV News Toronto. Sources told CP24 that the Toronto officers charged, four of whom have been suspended without pay, worked in 11 and 12 Divisions as well as one officer from the Guns and Gangs Unit."

CP24 has confirmed through multiple sources the names of two of the officers charged in this investigation: Tim Barnhardt, of 12 Division, and Rob Black. On Thursday morning, police in York Region will be sharing further details about Project South during a news conference at the force’s headquarters in Aurora, Ont."

Wow, send them to E Division. The CFSEU will give them a job and a raise. CBC is reporting that "Toronto police officers are accused of trafficking, leaking addresses to hitmen, leaking police officer addresses and conspiring to kill a unit commander at the Toronto South Detention Centre, sources say."

Barrie Today is reporting that "Seven Toronto Police Service officers, including a Barrie resident, one retired Toronto Police Service officer from Barrie and numerous additional suspects have been arrested and charged in a seven-month York Regional Police investigation into organized crime and corruption. The active and retired officer from Barrie are a father and son, police said at a news conference this morning at York Regional Police headquarters in Aurora."

Alleged police ringleader and accomplice make court appearances: The Toronto Sun is reporting that "Toronto Police Const. Timothy Barnhardt, facing disturbing drug and corruption charges including accepting bribes and trafficking in cocaine, oxycodone and other drugs, appeared virtually from a holding cell at a York Regional Police station."

"According to police allegations, the Mississauga man was involved in an operation “orchestrated” by his co-accused Brian Da Costa, 43, “who police believe (is) known to various criminal networks” and was behind a sophisticated network trafficking marijuana and fentanyl to Europe. Da Costa, who also made a virtual court appearance at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, was remanded in custody to Monday."

"Investigators allege Barnhardt had unlawfully accessed police databases to perform queries that produced addresses later used in criminal activity, including an extortion, commercial robberies and shootings. Barnhardt is also accused of accessing confidential information about the Ontario corrections officer and then passing it on to Da Costa."

The Barrie Today article lists the names of everyone charged. Seemingly some of the cops were accepting bribes to allow illegal pot dispensaries to stay open while other officers face actual drug trafficking charges. The highlight is the conspiracy to committed murders charges. Brian Da Costa's criminal organization has not been named.

CTV is reporting that "Barnhardt allegedly provided information to three other suspects—Median Jackson, 32, Kaejean Doman, 23, and Devonte Barker-Campbell, 31—who police say were recruiting criminal actors to carry out the plot against the correctional officer."

CTV is also reporting that "Seven current Toronto police officers and one retired member have been named as suspects in a complex conspiracy that allegedly involved the attempted murder of a senior Ontario corrections officer."

Police said that a number of suspects attended the victim’s home for the purpose of murdering him. Surveillance footage played at the Thursday news conference showed the moment that three masked and armed men arrived the officer’s home and rammed a police cruiser that was in the driveway."

"Hogan said there is 'absolutely no evidence or information' to suggest that the would-be victim of the murder plot was connected to organized crime. 'Our belief is that that member was doing his job effectively, was ethical and had complete integrity in his position, and that those actions, his commitment to integrity in his position, was what spawned the criminal actions against him,' Hogan said."

Project South Press Conference Feb 5 videos on Dropbox.