Four Stolen Vehicles Led to the Discovery of Hundreds More Concealed in Plain View | Carscoops

      Canadian authorities intercepted over 300 stolen vehicles and revealed global connections, leading to financial investigations in a coordinated effort against organized crime.

      22 hours ago

      by Stephen Rivers

      Authorities recovered 306 stolen vehicles from major ports with the help of freight forwarding companies, which were crucial in dismantling the network. Twenty suspects now face 134 charges related to organized crime.

      The issue of stolen cars is well-known globally, and while Canada has experienced its share of this problem, local authorities claim to have achieved a significant victory.

      The recovery of four stolen vehicles in 2023 sparked an extensive crackdown on organized auto theft, ultimately resulting in the recovery of over 300 vehicles valued at approximately $25 million, not including additional discoveries made during the operation.

      This initiative, dubbed Project CHICKADEE, involved various agencies coordinated by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). The operation began in August 2023 when four cars destined for export were discovered in Toronto, leading investigators to identify a freight forwarding operation as a vital link.

      Investigators subsequently examined shipping containers at major ports in Montreal, Vancouver, and Halifax, allowing them to disrupt shipments before the stolen vehicles could be exported.

      Officials indicated that the criminal network had international connections and ties to transnational organized crime groups. Search warrants executed in October and November 2025 covered numerous residential and industrial sites across Ontario and Québec.

      What Else Did Police Find?

      Seized items included firearms, re-VINed vehicles, forklifts, tractor-trailer cabs, key programmers, license plates, electronic devices, and more than $220,000 CAD in total. While authorities did not specify the exact vehicles involved, they indicated that the cars were intended for Africa and the Middle East.

      Financial intelligence from FINTRAC was instrumental in the operation, and the OPP’s Asset Forfeiture Unit is now pursuing investigations related to the proceeds of crime. A total of 20 individuals are facing 134 charges under the Criminal Code, Customs Act, and Cannabis Act.

      OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique described the operation as “a significant victory against organized auto theft in Ontario,” emphasizing that it sends “a clear message: Ontario will not be a source for criminal profit.”

      This bust is likely to hinder some of the ongoing activities that have been reported previously. The pressing question now is whether Canadian authorities can maintain this momentum of success or if criminals will adapt and alter their methods following this incident.