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Seven people have been arrested following mutliple joint police investigations.
Project Spectre was a firearms and narcotics investigation, and Project Paranoid was a vehicle theft investigation.
In April 2023, the Toronto Police Service launched an investigation into a network of individuals involved in the trafficking of firearms and narcotics.
During Project Spectre, undercover officers successfully purchased six firearms and more than 200 grams of cocaine.
In August 2023, as a result of information obtained during Project Spectre, members of the Service’s Organized Crime Investigative Support (OCIS) Unit began an investigation called Project Paranoid, focused on the trafficking, shipping and re-vinning of stolen vehicles.
Seven people were arrested and 150 charges laid as part of Project Spectre and Project Paranoid.
During Project Paranoid, 48 stolen vehicles were seized:
- 20 in a joint effort with the Halton Regional Police Service at a shipper location in Burlington (estimated value $1 million)
- Five purchased by undercover officers (estimated value $450,000)
- Three located during the execution of search warrants (estimated value $300,000)
- 20 intercepted in Toronto and Montreal with the assistance of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) (estimated value $2 million)
Several businesses in the Greater Toronto Area were also identified as locations where stolen motor vehicles were stored and sold prior to being shipped overseas, or being re-vinned and registered to be re-sold in Ontario.
“Project Paranoid demonstrates the resources that the Toronto Police Service is dedicating to tackling the auto theft epidemic – and the positive results of this work,” says Staff Superintendent Pauline Gray. “It also demonstrates the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to address an issue that is impacting the safety and well-being of our communities.”
Crime Stoppers Toronto provided support and assistance throughout the investigation. Toronto Police also worked with the CBSA, York Regional Police and the Halton Regional Police Service as part the Project Paranoid investigation.
26-year-old Beka Suarishvili has been charged with:
- Traffic in Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 x 10
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 for the purpose of Trafficking x 2
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 2
- Traffic in Schedule I substance x 6
- Transfer Prohibited Weapon x 3
- Possess Loaded Firearm x 3
- Possession of a Prohibited Device knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
- Possession of a Firearm contrary to a Prohibition Order x 3
39-year-old Sadyk Sadykov has been charged with:
- Traffic in Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 x 10
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 for the purpose of Trafficking x 8
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 6
- FTC Release Order x 1
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 x 1
- Alter VIN x 1
- Utter Forged Document x 1
- Traffic in Schedule 1 Substance x 2
- Traffic in Firearm x 2
- Possession of Prohibited Device x 2
- Possess Firearm while Prohibited x 2
30-year-old Igor Larioniov has been charged with:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 for the Purpose of Trafficking x 5
- Traffic in Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 x 5
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 x 2
- Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence x 4
31-year-old Ali Eren Poyraz has been charged with:
- Possession of Property obtained By Crime over $5,000 for the Purpose of Trafficking X22
- Traffic in Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 x 21
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 11
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 x 1
35-year-old Vitaly Khalimov has been charged with:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 for the Purpose of Trafficking x 2
- Traffic in Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 x 2
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 2
- Alter VIN x 1
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 x 1
A 40-year-old man has been charged with:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 x 1
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 1
25-year-old Jose (Galio) Furtunato has been charged with:
- Traffic in Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 x 1
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime for the Purpose of Trafficking x 1
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence x 1
All accused appeared in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre in February.
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