Ontario Authorities Recover 306 Stolen Vehicles in Major Probe

In a significant operation, Ontario law enforcement agencies have dismantled an extensive auto theft ring, recovering 306 stolen vehicles during a multi-year investigation known as Project Chickadee. The operation, led by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), targeted not only vehicle thefts within Ontario but also the illegal export of stolen vehicles to international markets.

Project Chickadee commenced in August 2023, following the recovery of four stolen vehicles in the Greater Toronto Area by the OPP’s Provincial Auto Theft and Towing (PATT) Team. Investigators quickly identified connections to registered freight forwarding companies that allegedly facilitated the export of stolen vehicles using fraudulent shipping documents. These vehicles were reportedly destined for overseas markets, including regions in the Middle East and West Africa.

Police officials noted the far-reaching implications of auto theft on community safety, stating, "Auto theft fuels organized criminal networks and threatens the safety of our communities, impacting families, businesses and neighbourhoods across Ontario."

The investigation uncovered a sophisticated network that spanned multiple levels of the auto theft supply chain, with links to transnational organized crime groups. Authorities conducted inspections of shipping containers at key ports in Montreal, Vancouver, and Halifax, successfully intercepting stolen vehicles before they could leave Canada. According to Detective Inspector Scott Wade of the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, “We inspected shipping containers in transit and at the Port of Montreal, the Port of Vancouver and the port of Halifax, intercepting stolen vehicles before they could leave Canada.”

On October 16, 2025, police executed search warrants at various locations in Toronto, Vaughan, Woodbridge, and Etobicoke. This initial phase of the operation resulted in the seizure of $30,000 in cash, a re-VINed vehicle, two additional vehicles connected to the offences, key programmers, and various Ontario licence plates. One individual was arrested during this phase, while two others fled but were later apprehended.

A more extensive operation took place on November 27, 2025, with search warrants executed at 23 locations across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) as well as one site in Saint-Eustache, Quebec. This operation led to the arrest of 20 individuals, who face a total of 134 charges related to participation in a criminal organisation, money laundering, fraud, theft, and offences under the Customs Act. Some of those charged were previously on release orders for related auto theft convictions.

The vehicles recovered during the investigation are estimated to be worth over $25 million. The authorities highlighted that the stolen vehicles were often sold for approximately double their Canadian value in international markets, particularly in countries with high demand for luxury vehicles such as the United Arab Emirates, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon, and several West African nations.

The investigation exemplifies how organized crime groups exploit global shipping networks to transport stolen vehicles, fuelling a lucrative black market. The individuals involved included owners and operators of freight forwarding businesses, as well as those directly engaged in vehicle theft throughout Ontario.

Financial intelligence provided by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) played a critical role in the investigation, while the OPP’s Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit is now pursuing investigations related to the proceeds of crime linked to this case. Law enforcement agencies are urging anyone with information related to auto theft or this investigation to come forward.

The operation involved collaborative efforts from various agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and multiple municipal police services, underscoring the importance of inter-agency cooperation in tackling organized crime.