Three officers from the Peel Regional Police have been put on suspension as part of a corruption and organized crime investigation that has resulted in criminal charges against 27 individuals, including seven officers from Toronto police and one retired officer.
Const. Tyler Bell-Morena mentioned that the force located west of Toronto has suspended these three officers while further inquiries are conducted by York Regional Police.
According to Bell-Morena, no Peel police officers have faced charges related to this case.
Officials disclosed on Thursday that the investigation led by York Regional Police revealed allegations involving bribery, conspiracy to commit murder, and drug trafficking, among other crimes.
York police Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan explained that the inquiry started last June after a vehicle collided with a marked York police cruiser parked at the residence of a corrections facility officer. Investigators believe this incident was linked to a conspiracy to commit murder involving two youths and an adult.
Hogan noted it was the third occasion within 36 hours that suspects had visited the home. This prompted an investigation that uncovered Toronto officers accessing personal information and leaking it to members of an organized crime group, who then committed crimes such as shootings, extortions, and robberies.
Investigators claim that Toronto police Const. Timothy Barnhardt provided personal information to Brian Da Costa, who is suspected of various drug trafficking and bribery offences and was among several individuals allegedly trying to obtain confidential information from officers.
Among those charged in this investigation are Toronto police officers Derek Mc Cormick, Elias Mouawad, John Madeley Jr., and his father, retired constable John Madeley Sr.
Hogan stated that other Toronto police officers Barnhardt, Robert Black, Saurabjit Bedi, and Carl Grellette were also charged for their involvement in bribery schemes orchestrated by Da Costa.
Apart from Da Costa, 18 additional suspects were apprehended during this investigation, which included two youths.
This report by The Canadian Press was first Feb. 6, 2026.
Maan Alhmidi, The Canadian Press
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