Toronto Cops Arrested in Organized Crime Bust
York Regional Police Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan speaks during a news conference in Aurora, Ontario, on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (Jon Blacker /The Canadian Press via AP)
Seven Toronto police officers and one retired officer have been arrested and charged in a sweeping organized crime investigation involving allegations of bribery, conspiracy to commit murder, and drug trafficking, authorities announced Thursday.
At a news conference, police officials said the officers unlawfully accessed personal and private information and shared it with organized crime figures, in some cases in exchange for bribes. Investigators allege that this information was later used by criminal groups to carry out shootings and other violent crimes, according to the Associated Press.
“This is a painful and unsettling moment,” Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said. “When organized crime penetrates the Toronto Police Service, the harm goes far beyond the immediate wrongdoing.”
York Regional Police Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan said the investigation began in June after authorities uncovered a murder plot targeting a corrections management employee. Police say suspects passed confidential information about the employee to mob associates. Several suspected mobsters went to the employee’s home intending to kill him, but encountered officers already stationed there for protection. The suspects were arrested after allegedly ramming a police vehicle, Hogan said.
He noted it was the third attempt in 36 hours by suspects to approach the home. That incident prompted a deeper investigation, which allegedly revealed that Toronto officers had accessed protected databases and leaked personal information to members of an organized crime group.
Investigators allege that Toronto Police Const. Timothy Barnhardt provided personal information to Brian Da Costa, a man suspected of drug trafficking and bribery offenses who was allegedly seeking confidential data from officers. Other officers charged include Derek McCormick, Elias Mouawad, John Madeley Jr., and retired Const. John Madeley Sr. Officers Robert Black, Saurabjit Bedi, and Carl Grellette were also charged and are accused of participating in bribery schemes allegedly orchestrated by Da Costa, Hogan said.
In addition to Da Costa, 18 other suspects were arrested, including two youths. Demkiw said the officers accused of wrongdoing have been suspended and that he is seeking suspension without pay for at least four of them.
York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween called the situation a “deeply disappointing and sad day” for law enforcement. The Toronto Police Service Board, which oversees the department, said it has asked the inspector general to review issues including supervision, recruitment screening, and access to internal databases.
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