OTTAWA — A sweeping investigation into the theft of hundreds of vehicles across southern Ontario has led to six arrests in the nation’s capital, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) announced Tuesday.
The arrests came after officers executed two search warrants in Ottawa on July 24, seizing car theft tools along with suspected crack cocaine and cocaine. A warrant has also been issued for a seventh suspect.
The case is part of Project Vector, a joint OPP and Canada Border Services Agency probe launched in December 2023. The investigation has uncovered a large criminal network allegedly using fraudulent documents and company names to ship stolen vehicles overseas to markets in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South America.
Police say the six suspects arrested in Ottawa are linked to vehicles recovered from shipping containers in Quebec in May 2024.
Project Vector has already made a major impact. In early 2024, investigators intercepted 598 stolen vehicles in Montreal before they could be exported. Of those, 215 came from Toronto, 125 from Mississauga and Brampton, 58 from York Region, and 19 from Halton, while others were stolen in Quebec.
The Ontario recoveries alone represented about $34.5 million in stolen cars, many tied to violent crimes such as carjackings and home invasions.
To date, Project Vector has led to the recovery of more than 1,940 vehicles worth an estimated $159 million, making it one of Canada’s largest and most significant auto theft investigations.
Police forces assisting the OPP include Peel, Toronto, York, Durham, Halton, and the RCMP.