Hamilton police say they have dismantled an organized retail theft network operating across Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia, arresting 21 people and recovering more than $1 million in stolen merchandise.
Investigators laid 175 charges following a four-month probe dubbed Project Sommes. Many thefts targeted Shoppers Drug Mart stores, where suspects allegedly concealed items in bags and under clothing before leaving undetected.
Police said stolen goods — including razors, cosmetics, creams, nicotine gum, electronic toothbrushes and lip gloss — were packed into large gift bags and taken to a Mississauga warehouse to be catalogued for resale. The items were then allegedly distributed to AG Liquidation in Brampton and other wholesalers before being sold to unsuspecting buyers.
“This was not a small operation,” said Peel police Deputy Chief Marc Andrews, calling it a sophisticated network with Peel Region as a major hub.
Hamilton Deputy Chief Ryan Diodati said repeated thefts of this scale can drive up prices and reduce product availability for consumers.
The investigation began in August after a series of thefts in Hamilton and expanded into the Greater Toronto Area. Police allege the group worked in small, coordinated crews, using bags designed to defeat security systems and targeting specific products requested by wholesalers.
Six vehicles believed to have been purchased with proceeds of the crimes were seized during raids on Dec. 16 across the GTHA.
Most of those charged face counts of theft and possession of property obtained by crime. More than half also face charges related to participating in a criminal organization, which carry potential sentences of up to 14 years in prison.
All charges will be laid in Hamilton to avoid suspects being released across multiple jurisdictions, police said.