Category: Toronto

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OPP Police Press Releases Toronto

Arrests Made In Covid-19 Debacle

(TORONTO, ON) – Members of the Serious Fraud Office for Ontario (SFO) have continued their investigation into individuals receiving small business relief funds through fraudulent means and have made two more arrests.

In fall 2020, the Ontario Government announced and began rolling out small business relief programs to assist small businesses with operating costs and loss of revenue due to mandatory COVID-19 pandemic closures. After reviewing the applications of two individuals from the Greater Toronto Area, the Ministry of Finance deemed them suspicious and referred them to the SFO for investigation.

It is alleged relief funding from the government was applied for through fictitious or ineligible businesses. In these cases, the grant found to be exploited was the COVID-19 Energy Cost Rebate program.

As a result of the investigation, two individuals have been arrested and charged with offences contrary to the Criminal Code:

Theophilus OGUNKUNLE, aged 51 years of Woodbridge, is charged with:

·      Fraud Over $5,000

·      Utter Forged Document

·      Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000

Omolola OGUNKUNLE, aged 36 years of Woodbridge, is charged with:

·      Fraud Over $5,000

·      Utter Forged Document

·      Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000

The accused have been released and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket on May 10, 2024.

The SFO will not comment further in order to protect the integrity of the investigation and court processes.

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OPP Police Press Releases Toronto

60Kg Cocaine & 13Kg Meth Seized – Names Released

(TORONTO, ON) – Twenty illegal firearms and 73 kilograms of illicit drugs have been seized by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)-led Provincial Joint Forces Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team (PGNG).  

The OPP-led PGNG assisted the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) Organized Crime Division with a drug trafficking investigation that identified large quantities of cocaine transported between Toronto and Montréal and the surrounding area.

On March 27, 2024, PGNG executed two search warrants on a vehicle and a residence on Ridelle Avenue in Toronto. The following items were seized:

·      Approximately 60 kilograms of cocaine

·      Approximately 13 kilograms of methamphetamine

·      20 firearms including 19 handguns and one assault rifle

·      3,000 rounds of ammunition

·      53 magazines

·      Four drum magazines

·      66 Glock auto switches (used to convert to automatic firearms)

·      Three bullet proof vests

·      One ballistic helmet

Bradley NELSON, 35 years of age of Whitby, was arrested in Toronto by PGNG. The accused has been charged with a total of 68 charges under the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act including:

·      Unauthorized possession of a firearm – 20 counts

·      Unauthorized possession of a firearm knowing its unauthorized – 20 counts

·      Possession for the purpose of trafficking firearms – 19 counts

·      Possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order – two counts

·      Possession of a prohibited device – two counts

·      Careless storage of a firearm

·      Trafficking of a controlled substance, cocaine

·      Trafficking of a controlled substance, methamphetamine

·      Possession for the purpose of trafficking, cocaine

·      Possession for the purpose of trafficking, methamphetamine

The accused was held in custody and will appear before an Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto on May 2, 2024.

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OPP Police Press Releases Toronto

Casino Cheaters Arrested – Should’ve Just Counted Cards Instead

(TORONTO, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Investigation and Enforcement Bureau (IEB) has laid charges against several individuals in connection with allegations of illegal activity occurring at a casino.

The IEB, attached to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) was contacted on March 18, 2024, regarding allegations that a table games dealer was in collusion with patrons at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto.

As a result of the investigation, police have charged the following individuals:

Anagha VARGHESE, aged 21 of Etobicoke is charged with:

·      Criminal Breach of Trust S.336 Criminal Code (CC) – three counts

·      Cheat at play S.209 CC – three counts

·      Theft Under $5000 S.334(b) CC – three counts

·      Fraud Over $5000 S. 380(1)(b) CC – three counts

Tajveer KOUR, aged 21 of Brampton is charged with:

·      Criminal Breach of Trust S.336 CC

·      Cheat at play S.209 CC

·      Theft Under $5000 S.334(b) CC

·      Fraud Over $5000 S. 380(1)(b) CC

Yakshu NEHRA, aged 23, of Etobicoke is charged with:

·      Cheat at play S.209 CC – three counts

·      Theft Under $5000 S.334(b) CC – three counts

·      Fraud Over $5000 S. 380(1)(b) CC – three counts

Himanshu TANWAR, aged 25, of Etobicoke is charged with:

·      Cheat at play S.209 CC – three counts

·      Theft Under $5000 S.334(b) CC – three counts

·      Fraud Over $5000 S. 380(1)(b) CC – three counts

Parkh RAHEJA, aged 25 of Etobicoke is charged with:

·      Cheat at play S.209 CC – three counts

·      Theft Under $5000 S.334(b) CC – two counts

·      Theft Over $5000 S. 334(a) CC

·      Fraud Under $5000 S. 380(1)(b) CC – two counts

·      Fraud Over $5000 S. 380(1)(a) CC

The accused parties have all been released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto at later dates.

The IEB is a division of the OPP, embedded within the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), responsible for conducting criminal, provincial and regulatory eligibility investigations to ensure integrity and public safety within the AGCO-regulated industries.    

Editors Note: Counting cards/keeping track of what has been played is not illegal if you do it in your head, and alone. Click here to find out how to count cards legally and increase your odds of winning, LEGALLY!.

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OPP Police Press Releases Toronto

Three Flee Fatal Collision Leaving unidentified Body

(Toronto, ON) – Officers from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Highway Safety Division (HSD) – Toronto Detachment, are investigating a three-vehicle collision that resulted in one fatality.

On Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 5:12 a.m., the OPP were called to a collision on Highway 400 southbound at Highway 401, in the City of Toronto. A southbound black vehicle was observed travelling at a high rate of speed. The black vehicle then collided with the rear end of a commercial motor vehicle. A grey vehicle travelling southbound sustained minor damage.

A male occupant of the black vehicle, who remains unidentified, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Three other occupants of the black vehicle fled the collision scene on foot.

The driver of the commercial motor vehicle and grey vehicle did not sustain any injuries.

The OPP-HSD Traffic Support Unit and OPP-HSD Crime Unit are assisting with the ongoing investigation.

Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call the Toronto OPP office at 416-235-4981.

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OPP Police Press Releases Toronto

$629,000 Drug Bust – Names Released

(TORONTO, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police-led Provincial Joint Forces Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team (PGNG) has laid 63 charges against nine accused following a multi-jurisdictional drug trafficking investigation.

In October 2023, officers learned of individuals trafficking illicit drugs from the Greater Toronto Area to the City of London and various parts of Western Ontario. The investigation revealed that the individuals had also been trafficking illicit drugs to the Thunder Bay area.

On February 28, 2024, search warrants were executed at seven residences in Thunder Bay, London, Mississauga and Vaughan. PGNG seized the following items:

·      More than 3.2 kilograms of cocaine

·      More than 1.3 kilograms of powdered fentanyl

·      More than 135 grams of methamphetamine

·      Nearly 10 grams of MDMA ecstasy

·      More than 3,700 oxycodone tablets

·      More than 2,000 hydromorphone capsules

·      More than 8,000 hydromorphone (8mg) tablets

·      More than 35 alprazolam tablets

·      Nearly 80 acetaminophen and codeine tablets

·      Approximately 1500 millilitres of promethazine (liquid codeine)

·      Three loaded handguns

·      36 rounds of ammunition

·      Two magazines

·      Drug paraphernalia

·      Counterfeit currency

·      Three silver bars, 15 silver coins, and jewelry

·      One prohibited weapon (brass knuckles)

·      More than $210,000 in Canadian currency

The potential street value of the illicit drugs seized is approximately $629,000.

This investigation resulted in nine arrests and 63 charges laid under the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Please refer to the Addendum of Charged Persons for additional information.

This investigation was supported by members of the:

·      Chatham Kent Police Service

·      London Police Service Emergency Response Unit

·      London Police Service Guns and Drugs Section

·      Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service

·      OPP Community Street Crime Unit, London

·      OPP Offender Transportation Unit

·      OPP Highway Traffic Enforcement

·      OPP Middlesex Detachment

·      OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau

·      OPP-led Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit

·      OPP-led Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit

·      OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit

·      OPP Thunder Bay Detachment

·      Peel Regional Police Tactical Rescue Unit

·      Sarnia Police Service

·      St. Thomas Police Service

·      Thunder Bay Police Service Emergency Task Unit

·      Thunder Bay Police Service Guns and Gangs

Anyone with any information about the trafficking of illegal firearms and/or illicit drugs is urged to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

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OPP Police Press Releases Toronto

173 Kilo Meth Bust

(TORONTO, ON) – Nine accused are facing 44 charges following an investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)-led Provincial Joint Forces Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team (PGNG).

Project CRANIUM began in the fall of 2023, when police learned of two individuals trafficking illicit drugs in the City of Barrie. Further investigation revealed that a sophisticated criminal network was operating out of the Greater Toronto Area, Simcoe County and Durham Region. Illicit drugs were being purchased from a source supplier and trafficked to a mid-level purchaser before being sold to local traffickers throughout Southern Ontario.

On January 21, 2024, the OPP executed 16 search warrants in Toronto; 11 at residences, four on vehicles and one at a storage locker. Seized items include but are not limited to:

  • 173 kilograms of suspected crystal methamphetamine;
  • 56 kilograms of suspected cocaine;
  • 500 grams of suspected fentanyl;
  • two prohibited handguns, one of which was loaded;
  • ammunition;
  • more than $620,000 in Canadian currency;
  • evidence of drug production (e.g. two cocaine presses, etc.); and,
  • four vehicles.

The illicit drugs seized have a potential street value of more than $13 million.

A video about Project Cranium is available here: https://youtu.be/z9B58miX_cA.

PGNG is a joint forces operation comprised of members from 21 police services. A full list of partners can be found below, under “About PGNG.” Additional supports were provided by the Barrie Police Service, Durham Regional Police Service, Halton Regional Police Service, Toronto Police Service and York Regional Police.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information about the trafficking of illicit drugs is urged to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

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OPP Police Press Releases Toronto

Multi-Million Fraud – Nagatheepan SIVANANDARAJAH Arrested

(TORONTO, ON) – A North York resident has been charged following a months-long multi-million dollar fraud investigation involving suspicious transactions at multiple Ontario-based casinos. 

In the fall of 2023, the Investigation and Enforcement Bureau of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) commenced an investigation into suspicious transactions that occurred at multiple casinos in Ontario as part of a multi-million dollar fraud scheme. 

As a result of the investigation, on March 7, 2024, Nagatheepan SIVANANDARAJAH, 42 years old of Scarborough, was charged with the following Criminal Code offences:

·    Fraud Over $5000 – three counts

·    Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000

·    Use, Deals, Acts on Forged Document – two counts 

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in New Market on April 4, 2024. 

The IEB is a division of the OPP, embedded within the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), responsible for conducting criminal, provincial and regulatory eligibility investigations to ensure integrity and public safety within the AGCO-regulated industries.