Nine Toronto police officers are facing charges related to violent incidents involving tow trucks and operators across the Greater Toronto Area, multiple sources tell CBC News.
CBC News is not naming the sources, as they are not authorized to share details publicly.
Officers are accused of trafficking, leaking addresses to hitmen, and leaking police officer addresses, the sources said.
The investigation also uncovered a conspiracy to kill a unit commander at the Toronto South Detention Centre, the sources said.
The sources said York Regional Police led the investigation.
York Regional Police has not responded to calls from CBC Toronto on Wednesday evening.
However, the service is set to hold a 10 a.m. news conference on Thursday about “a lengthy investigation into organized crime and corruption.”
Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw is set to attend that news conference.
Toronto police are not commenting on the matter at this time, instead referring CBC News to York police’s scheduled news conference, spokesperson Nadine Ramadan said in an email.
CBC News has also requested comment from the Toronto Police Service Board, but did not immediately receive a response.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow’s office said she won’t comment on the story on Wednesday night.
Towing-related violence has been a major issue in Toronto. In 2024, there were 63 shooting and firearm discharge incidents related to tow-truck disputes, accounting for almost 13 per cent of all such incidents that year.
Toronto police launched a task force last year to address a rise in crime and violence linked to the tow truck industry.
More to come.
