Several Toronto Police Officers Charged in Organized Crime Investigation
Toronto police service chief Myron Demkiw, left, is joined by York regional police chief Jim MacSween, centre, and YRP deputy chief Ryan Hogan at a press conference to announce the results of ‘Project South,’ a lengthy investigation into organized crime and corruption at York Regional police headquarters in Aurora, Ont., on Feb. 5, 2026. The Canadian Press/Jon Blacker
The Epoch Times
Seven Toronto police officers and one retired officer have been arrested and charged in connection with an ongoing investigation into police corruption linked to organized crime in the Greater Toronto Area.
York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween told reporters during a Feb. 5 press conference in Aurora, Ont., that the seven-month investigation into serious crimes like murder, shootings, extortion, and drug trafficking was linked to officers who are accused of illegally accessing information, which was subsequently relayed to criminals who executed the crimes.
The investigation, known as Project South, was launched in June 2025 after a conspiracy to murder a member of corrections management working at an Ontario correctional institution was uncovered, police said.
“Over a 36-hour period, a number of suspects attended this member’s home in York Region, we allege, for the purpose of murdering him,” Deputy Chief Brian Hogan said during the press conference.
Three masked suspects were arrested by police officers at the scene and a loaded handgun was recovered, Hogan said.
“These brazen actions highlight the clear dangers that were faced by the victim, his family, and the police officers that were there to protect him,” he said, noting that the corrections officer is not suspected of any illegal activity.
Allegations
Investigators are alleging three Toronto Police Service (TPS) officers and one retired officer illegally accessed the victim’s confidential information and passed it on to members of the criminal enterprise.
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York police later identified a series of criminal activities that took place following the release of the information, which Hogan described as happening “almost in real time.” This includes seven shootings, extortion, and commercial robberies.
Investigators allege the confidential information gleaned from the queries was shared with Brian Da Costa and Elwyn Satanowsky, who police said are believed to be known to various criminal networks. Both men have been charged as part of the investigation.
“We allege that Mr. Da Costa is a key figure in the criminal network operating within the Greater Toronto Area, with, in fact, significant international ties,” Hogan said. He noted that Da Costa is suspected of orchestrating the export of illegal cannabis from Canada to Europe.
A man arrested in September at the scene of a Vaughan shooting has also been tied to the investigation, police say. Investigators allege he was in possession of a firearm and York Police said in a press release that forensic examination connected the weapon to at least eight shootings across southern Ontario.
Police allege that the suspects obtained confidential information from the accused officers and were actively recruiting others to conduct crimes across the region.
Further investigation uncovered a plan in which Toronto police officers intended “support the operation of illegal cannabis dispensaries by accepting bribes to obstruct any possible enforcement at those locations,” the press release says.
Hogan said the accused officers had “varying degrees of criminality and associations to criminal networks” and alleged that some of them had trafficked cocaine and accepted bribes to supply information.
MacSween identified TPS Const. Timothy Barnhardt as the “genesis” of the investigation, noting that he had some form of relationship with all of the accused officers.
Hogan said the investigation has been a complicated one and remains active.
“This is among the most complex and challenging investigations of my 28 year policing career,” Horgan said, adding that more than 400 officers participated in the probe.“We will pursue every lead to rid our communities of organized crime and corruption within our institutions.”
Police Chief Responds
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw described the charges against members of the force as “painful” and “unsettling,” telling reporters during the press conference that he was “deeply disappointed” by the alleged conduct.
“I understand this news will be distressing for Torontonians and our police service members,” he said. “No corner of society is immune from the reach of organized crime, but when organized crime penetrates the Toronto Police Service, the harm goes far beyond the immediate wrongdoing.”
Demkiw was asked if he planned to step down or anticipated being asked to resign by the city. He said he has not been asked to resign and planned to “take full responsibility for responding to what we learned from this investigation and taking steps to make sure we do everything we can to prevent other instances of this nature.”
Demkiw said the accused officers have been suspended and he will seek to suspend at least four of them without pay, according to police policy.
He added that the province’s policing inspector general has been asked to conduct an independent investigation and the force will fully co-operate.
Charges Laid
The seven active officers and one retired officer charged in the investigation include a father-son pair: retired TPS constable John Madeley Sr. and Const. John Madeley Jr.
The officers charged are:
- Const. Timothy Barnhardt, 55, of Mississauga
He faces 17 charges including several bribery, drug trafficking, and firearm charges, breach of trust, obstruction, and unauthorized use of computer.
- Sgt. Robert Black, 42, of Vaughan
He has been charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice, counsel an uncommitted indictable offence: fraud exceeding $5,000, and two drug trafficking charges.
- John Madeley Sr. (retired TPS constable), 55, of Barrie
He faces 11 charges including several counts of unauthorized computer use, breach of trust, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, and weapon-related charges.
- Const. John Madeley Jr., 29, of Barrie
He faces one count each of breach of trust and unauthorized computer use.
- Sgt. Carl Grellette, 38, of Vaughan
Grellette is charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice, breach of trust, mischief not exceeding $5,000, and harassment by repeatedly following another person.
- Const. Saurabjit Bedi, 38, of Caledon
Bedi faces two counts of conspiracy to obstruct justice, conspiracy to commit public mischief–falsely accuse a person, accepting a bribe, and two trafficking charges.
- Const. Derek McCormick, 57, of Toronto
He is charged with four counts of theft under $5000, breach of trust, and obstruction of justice.
- Const. Elias Mouawad, 24, Mississauga
Mouawad was charged with breach of trust and unauthorized use of a computer.
Investigators working on Project South also arrested 19 suspects who face charges for the commercial drug trafficking of cocaine, methamphetamine, illicit cannabis, fentanyl, heroin and oxycodone, as well as charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Forty-three-year-old Brian Da Costa of Toronto faces 16 charges related to drug trafficking, bribery, and obstruction of justice while Elwyn Satanowsky, 34, of Richmond Hill is facing 11 firearm related charges, including conspiracy to discharge a firearm with intent to injure as well as one charge of unauthorized use of a computer.
Innisfil resident Kaejean Doman, 23, is facing charges in connection with the Vaughan shooting including conspiracy to commit murder, attempt to commit murder, and several firearm-related charges.
Median Jackson, 32, of Mississauga, and Toronto residents Almar Heath, 28, and Devonte Barker-Campbell, 31, also face conspiracy to commit murder charges. Two unnamed youths face the same charge but cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
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