York Regional Police investigators have arrested and charged seven Toronto Police Service (TPS) officers, one retired Toronto Police Service officer, and 19 additional suspects in a seven-month investigation into organized crime and corruption.
The investigation, dubbed ‘Project South,’ began in June 2025, after police uncovered and stopped a conspiracy to commit murder at a home in York Region.
On June 20, a suspect vehicle attended the residence and collided with a marked York Regional Police cruiser that was stationed at the home. Ultimately, three suspects, including two youths and one adult, Almar Heath, were taken into custody.
Investigators allege that prior to this incident, TPS Constable Timothy Barnhardt had unlawfully accessed a police database, performing a query that produced confidential information.
Through further investigation, police found evidence of numerous unlawful queries alleged to be conducted by Constable Barnhardt and other officers within the Toronto Police Service. In multiple cases, investigators determined the addresses returned by the unlawful queries were later the location of criminal incidents, including an extortion, commercial robberies and shootings. Investigators allege that the confidential information gleaned from the queries was shared with Brian Da Costa, Elwyn Satanowsky and others, who police believe are known to various criminal networks.
In all, three officers and one retired officer have been charged with offences related to unlawful queries and the distribution of confidential, personal information.
At the scene of a shooting in the City of Vaughan in September, police arrested Kaejean Doman, who was alleged to be in possession of a firearm police believe was imported illegally into Canada. Forensic examination has since connected that weapon to at least eight shootings across southern Ontario.
Doman was charged with a number of firearm-related offences and remains in custody.
Police allege that Doman, along with Median Jackson and Devonte Barker Campbell, had access to confidential information obtained by Constable Barnhardt and were recruiting other actors to conduct crimes at various locations.
As the investigation unfolded, police also uncovered a plan, led by Da Costa, in which Toronto police officers intended to support the operation of illegal cannabis dispensaries by accepting bribes to obstruct any possible enforcement action to be taken at those locations.
Four officers face bribery charges in connection to this operation.
Three Toronto officers also face charges related to the trafficking of cocaine. One officer faces charges for the theft of personal property, which included drivers’ licenses, health cards, passports and credit cards.
Investigators working on Project South also arrested numerous suspects who face charges for the commercial drug trafficking of cocaine, methamphetamine, illicit cannabis, fentanyl, heroin and oxycodone.
See attached list of suspects and charges.
Project South is an outstanding example of inter-agency collaboration, and would not have been possible without resources and contributions from York Regional Police, the Toronto Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Correctional Services within Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General. Supporting these investigators was a dedicated team of prosecutors from the Ministry of the Attorney General and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.
The successful completion of Project South was also made possible through funding provided by the Ontario Government, Ministry of the Solicitor General in which the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario supported this investigation.
From our police leaders:
“We will not rest until we are sure corrupt, criminal actors and anyone abusing their power as a police officer is held accountable,” said Chief Jim MacSween. “Corruption has no place in policing—it is never, and will never, be tolerated.”
“This investigation also underscores the insidious, corrosive nature of organized crime, and highlights how these criminals find a way to infiltrate even the most well protected institutions across our society,” said Chief MacSween. “The impacts of organized crime on our community, on our safety and well-being cannot be understated.”
“Since June 2025, more than 300 officers have played a role in the success of this case,” said York Regional Police Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan. “The investigating officers represent the very best in what we expect of our police officers, demonstrating integrity, professionalism, ethical investigations and a commitment to uncovering the truth and holding offenders accountable—including fellow police officers.”
“We understand this news is deeply disappointing for Torontonians and our members,” said Toronto Police Service Chief Myron Demkiw. “Throughout this investigation, our highest priority was to do everything possible to respond in a way that preserves the trust of the people we serve. From day one, that has meant offering our full support to the York Regional Police Service, and to pursuing the evidence, wherever it leads. We have left no stone unturned. These are serious allegations and I can assure Torontonians they will be met with an equally serious response from our Service.”
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
Videos shared at the Project South Press Conference can be found at the following link:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/p6kjbaxtzybdf9wbpsi0b/ANZxWT1JpaetO-Q0AXEbg6s?rlkey=kaoqb601g7alt3rs4mfwp584i&st=s9vxwy3n&dl=0
Prepared by: Constable Lisa Moskaluk
February 5, 2026
