What began as a threat against a corrections official led to a sweeping case alleging criminal corruption inside the Toronto Police Service. York Regional Police revealed the results of the seven-month investigation, dubbed Project South, on Thursday morning. Investigators say that Toronto officers unlawfully accessed police databases, shared private information with organized crime figures and accepted bribes — activity police say was linked to shootings, extortion, drug trafficking and an attempted murder plot that unfolded at a York Region home in June 2025. “Corruption has no place in policing. It’s never and will never be tolerated,” York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween told reporters. ‘A grave risk to our community’ The investigation began after police say officers became aware of a conspiracy to murder a member of corrections management working at an Ontario correctional institution. Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan said within 36 hours, “a number of suspects attended this member’s home in York Region, we allege for the purpose of murdering him.” The plot initially unfolded on June 18, followed by a dramatic confrontation on June 20, 2025, when three masked men armed with a loaded handgun rammed a marked York Regional Police cruiser parked in the driveway of the officer’s home in an incident captured on video. “This investigation identified and disrupted serious criminal activity in the Greater Toronto Area that posed a grave risk to our community safety,” Hogan noted. “This includes a conspiracy to commit murder, shootings, extortion, robbery, drug trafficking and firearms offences.” During the press conference, police released helicopter and home surveillance video showing the suspects returning to the home for what investigators allege was the “third time,” underscoring what officials described as the danger faced by the victim, his family and officers assigned to protect them. It should be noted that, the targeted officer who police did not name, was not physically harmed during the incident. Who is accused of leaking info? Investigators allege the murder plot relied on confidential information unlawfully accessed by Toronto police officers. Hogan said officers are accused of collecting personal and private information through police databases and distributing it to members of organized crime, information that was later used to carry out violent crimes. “We are alleging that some police officers collected personal and private information unlawfully and distributed it to members of organized crime, which ultimately resulted in serious harm in our communities,” Hogan said. Police allege Toronto Police Const. Timothy Barnhardt unlawfully accessed confidential information about the corrections official and shared it with an individual by the name of Brian Da Costa, whom investigators described as a ‘key’ figure in a criminal network with significant international ties. From there, police say the information spread further into criminal networks, leading investigators to identify additional suspects allegedly planning to cause harm to the victim. Investigators later determined that addresses obtained through unlawful database queries were subsequently linked to shootings, extortions and commercial robberies across the region. In total, police charged seven serving Toronto police officers and one retired officer, along with 19 additional suspects. Barnhardt is charged in connection with the alleged murder plot. A full list of those charged including the other members of Toronto police can be found here. According to investigators, some officers accepted bribes to protect illegal cannabis dispensaries from enforcement, while others are accused of trafficking cocaine. One officer faces charges related to the theft of personal property, including drivers’ licences, health cards, passports and credit cards. Four of the charged officers have been suspended without pay, according to Chief Myron Demkiw. “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,” MacSween said. With files from CTV Toronto’s Phil Tsekouras.
