Toronto police corruption investigation uncovers alleged cannabis ‘dispensary conspiracy’

Investigators probing alleged Toronto police corruption have uncovered a "conspiracy" aimed at establishing and running illegal cannabis dispensaries and massage parlors, according to newly released court documents. The investigation, known as Project South, has revealed details of an alleged organized criminal scheme.

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This part of the investigation arises from lawfully authorized intercepted private communications, corroborated by physical surveillance and other investigative steps.

These documents, partially unsealed following a media consortium's request, offer fresh details on allegations first made public in February. The information to obtain (ITO) documents, which police use to seek search warrants, describe how detectives stumbled upon the alleged "marihuana dispensary conspiracy." The ITO states this discovery stemmed from lawfully intercepted communications, corroborated by surveillance and other investigative steps.

York Regional Police allege that their investigation, initially sparked by concerns over officers illegally checking license plates for civilians, uncovered a scheme involving illegal cannabis dispensaries and massage parlors in Toronto. The specifics of the operation and its participants remain under a publication ban, which media outlets are challenging.

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The investigation also identified four Toronto police officers … in an operation orchestrated by Mr. (Brian) Da Costa.

In February, Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan of York Regional Police stated that four officers arrested under Project South allegedly took bribes from a man described as a "key figure" in a Toronto-area criminal network. These officers are accused of supporting illegal cannabis dispensaries by accepting bribes for protection from law enforcement investigations. The accused, including a figure named Mr. Brian Da Costa, face various charges, though none of the allegations have been proven in court.

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We allege that these officers, in particular, were involved with Mr. Da Costa in supporting illegal cannabis dispensaries by accepting bribes to provide, ultimately, protection from law enforcement investigation.