Organized crime group operating in Brampton and Mississauga behind $33M in stolen vehicles: police

In Peel’s most significant auto theft investigation to date, 369 stolen vehicles were recovered in an operation based out of Brampton and Mississauga.

The investigation, dubbed Project Odyssey, resulted in the recovery of 369 stolen vehicles worth approximately $33 million, 16 people charged and warrants for 10 more people, said Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah in a press conference today (May 27).

Since October of 2023, police have been investigating an organized crime group in connection with vehicles stolen from the Greater Toronto Area, taken to the Port of Montreal and sent to the United Arab Emirates and the Port in Oman, said Duraiappah.

Police said a Peel trucking company was facilitating the shipping of stolen motor vehicles, and a family was responsible for loading the vehicles.

“This is a highly orchestrated criminal operation where several individuals were responsible for stealing the vehicles through various methods, many of which we have come to know that include violent carjackings, as well as other methods of stealing vehicles for the intention of shipping overseas,” said Duraiappah.

Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah speaks at the press conference today (May 27).

Project Odyssey began with a report of stolen vehicles in a shipping area at Highway 50 and Fogal Road in Brampton, said Detective Greg O’Connor. At that time police recovered two stolen vehicles — a 2024 Jeep Wrangler and a 2023 Chevrolet Suburban.

Then, in December of 2023, police received information about a transport truck being loaded with in stolen vehicles in Mississauga, O’Connor added. Police arrested the driver and recovered a BMW valued at $110,000 and a 2023 Ford F150 valued at $86,000.

The investigation of these incidents led to the trucking company and the family.

“Based on the evidence, we believe the trucking company owners, workers and operators were fully aware and complicit in the shipping of these stolen vehicles,” said O’Connor.

There were “numerous” stolen vehicle loading locations in the Region of Peel, he said.

Investigators travelled to the Port of Montreal where 37 shipping containers were opened with the assistance of the Port Authority and Canada Border Services Agency.

Police then recovered 369 vehicles and seized three transport trucks and two stolen Bobcats.

“A total of $33.2 million was recovered in stolen vehicles before it was destined out of the country,” said O’Connor.

To date police have identified 26 suspects, including 16 people who have been arrested and charged with 322 auto-related offences, he said.

There are 10 arrest warrants for other suspects in the case and police expect a total of 340 charges to be laid.

Duraiappah added that 14 of the 26 people arrested were already out on a form of release, or bail for auto theft related offences. The fact that so many people are back out in the community shortly after being arrested is frustrating, said O’Connor.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said bail reform is needed, particularly in property crimes.

“This should be a wake-up call,” said Brown. “We can’t have a criminal justice system that is a revolving door.”

These sometimes violent thefts are deeply impacting the community, said Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich.

“It is deeply affecting our community safety and well-being,” said Milinovich.

Also, these organized crime groups are victimizing young people by luring them into car theft for cash, said Duraiappah.

“Let me be clear, we are laser-focused on stopping those responsible and for holding them accountable,” he said.

Of the 16 people charged, seven are from the Region of Peel.

Beerpal Singh, 29, from Brampton, faces several charges including 72 counts of trafficking stolen goods over $5,000, possession of a firearm and disobeying a court order.

Harmeet Singh, 34, from Brampton, is charged with 35 counts of trafficking stolen goods over $5,000.

Valbir Singh, 49, from Brampton is charged with 53 counts of trafficking stolen goods over $5,000.

Gurpreet Dhillon, 41, from Brampton is charged with 27 counts of trafficking stolen goods over $5,000.

Jagmohan Singh, 57, from Brampton is charged with 11 counts of trafficking stolen goods over $5,000.

Mohammad Siddiqui, 40, from Mississauga is charged with 17 counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Asad Mayo, 28, from Mississauga is charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and trafficking of property obtained by crime.

Other people charged include Guljinder Singh, 29, from Bolton; Albijon Nura, 20, from Toronto; Clawens St. Fleurant, 21, from Quebec; Yoel Alem, 20, from Toronto; Ethan Brown, 19, from Toronto; Asiful Haque, 26, from Scarborough; Florent Bllacaku, 23, from Toronto; and a 17-year-old young person from Toronto.

The following people have warrants out for their arrest: Tahmid Kazi, 21, from Toronto; Valid Mustamandi, 24, from Quebec; Benjy Blain, 31, from Quebec; Terrance Bellerive Toussaint, 30, from Quebec, Sarugan Raja, 20, from Toronto; Abhinash Shanmuganathan, 21, from Toronto; Xavier Audate, 27, from Quebec; Amine Chakkir, 35, from Quebec; Yanis Adrar, 18, from Quebec; Nadir Bennouna, 24, from Quebec; and a 16-year-old from Toronto.