Newly disclosed details reveal that a police officer implicated in a wide-ranging investigation involving organized crime and police corruption in Ontario allegedly conspired to establish and operate illicit cannabis dispensaries and adult massage parlors in Toronto.
One of the individuals facing charges in Project South, a comprehensive probe conducted by York Region police that led to the arrest of 27 suspects earlier this year, is Toronto police Constable Timothy Barnhardt. The investigation uncovered a range of offenses, including bribery, drug trafficking, and conspiracy to commit murder, with Barnhardt purportedly assigned the task of scouting suitable locations for underground dispensaries and massage parlors while also arranging protection against enforcement actions.
Police documents indicate that Barnhardt agreed to provide advance warnings of inspections, coordinate cash payments to police and bylaw officers, and exploit police databases to shield the illicit businesses from enforcement actions. The alleged scheme involved Barnhardt, identified as a key player in the investigation, and Brian Da Costa, alongside several other accused individuals.
While Barnhardt’s lawyer declined to comment on the allegations, Da Costa’s legal representative did not immediately respond to requests for a statement.
Recent Revelations Amid Media Opposition to Publication Restrictions
Investigators claim that Barnhardt leaked confidential information to Da Costa, who allegedly used it in a suspected plot to harm a correctional officer and engage in other criminal activities.
The latest accusations emerged from newly unsealed sections of the Information to Obtain (ITO) documents filed by the police. These documents outline the authorities’ beliefs at the time of submission, but the allegations contained within have not been subject to court scrutiny.
The Canadian Press, CBC News, and other media outlets have been challenging a publication ban on the documents and extensive redactions within the ITO. Ontario Superior Court Justice Laura Bird recently authorized the release of additional content from the documents, balancing the need for court transparency with the defendants’ right to a fair trial.
In her ruling, Justice Bird emphasized the importance of public scrutiny in cases involving alleged police misconduct and expressed concern that the York Regional Police only uncovered the corruption during a separate investigation into a murder conspiracy. She highlighted the need for accountability and transparency in law enforcement efforts to address such troubling situations.
Prior to this development, a previous set of documents released in July suggested a connection between the Project South inquiry and the case of former Canadian Olympian Ryan Wedding, who stands accused of operating an international drug trafficking network.
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