Four employees with Service Ontario are among 28 people arrested and charged with helping three organized crime groups carry out the illegitimate registration of stolen vehicles.
OPP announced on Thursday the seizure of 214 stolen vehicles worth about $12 million as part of a GTA and inter-provincial operation called ‘Project Myra’.
“Four Service Ontario employees are accused of assisting these criminal organizations with fraudulently registering stolen vehicles in Ontario,” said OPP Det. Inspector Andy Bradford.
“Service Ontario employees were vital to these offenses being committed by these three criminal organizations.”
The 22-month investigation involved police services from across the GTA – but also police in Saskatoon.
“Project Myra has uncovered several auto theft networks responsible for fraudulently modifying stolen vehicle identification numbers (VINs),” said OPP Deputy Commissioner Chuck Cox.
Most of the vehicles were destined for resale or use in criminal activity, police say.
Police allege a criminal organization based in Peel was responsible for altering VIN numbers – or ‘re-vinning’ – vehicles stolen from Ontario, fraudulently registering the vehicles, and then reselling them.
A group in Durham and Toronto fraudulently registered stolen vehicles in Saskatchewan, transferred the fraudulent documentation for registration in Ontario, and resold to various individuals, including criminal networks.
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Another group in York Region was allegedly responsible for re-vinning high-end vehicles.
Investigators said they recovered a Lamborghini Urus worth about $200,000, and an Acura NSX worth about $150,000.
Among recovered vehicles, 37% were Honda or Acura.
“The stolen vehicles recovered included a mix of people that were fully aware they had these stolen, re-vinned vehicles. But it also included people who were unknowingly possessing them,” said Det. Insp. Bradford.
“Be extremely cautious when purchasing a used vehicle. If any part of the transaction or anything leading up to the transaction seems suspicious, do not provide funds,” added Deputy Commissioner Cox.
Peel Police helped with the investigation which started in the fall of 2020 – and continues.
“We are seeing hundreds of vehicles being stolen on a monthly basis,” said Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich at the joint news conference.
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The 28 people arrested in Project Myra have been charged with 242 offences.
“We have seen a significant increase in vehicle thefts. And car-jackings have also increased to feed the demand for high-end vehicles,” said York Regional Police Deputy Chief Brian Bigras.
Along with the arrests, during 44 search warrants police seized:
Six firearms.
230 grams of suspected fentanyl.
1,840 grams of suspected cocaine.
77 kilograms of cannabis.
150 grams of suspected cannabis resin.
10 grams of suspected psilocybin.
$8,400 US currency.
$160,000 CAD currency.
Two money counters.
And two laser marking machines.
The police investigation continues.
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