US EditionOPP, CBSA Recover 306 Stolen Vehicles in Sprawling International Auto-Theft Probe
Ontario Provincial Police arrested 20 suspects and recovered 306 stolen vehicles valued at $25 million in a ring exporting luxury cars to the Middle East and West Africa.
- On Dec. 17, 2025, the Ontario Provincial Police announced 20 people from the Greater Toronto Area face 134 charges after the theft and illegal export of 306 vehicles.
- Project CHICKADEE began in August 2023 after the OPP-led PATT Team recovered four stolen vehicles, revealing a ring exporting cars for double value to markets in the Middle East and West Africa.
- During search warrants on Oct. 16 and Nov. 27, investigators seized a re-vinned vehicle, key programmers, numerous Ontario licence plates, vehicle shipping documents and more than $190,000 in Canadian currency.
- Police say recovered vehicles are worth about $25 million, multiple agencies including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada Border Services Agency and Sûreté du Québec assisted, and six remain in custody while three were released on conditions.
- OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique warned that auto thefts surged from around 17,000 in 2020 to more than 30,000 in 2023, costing Canadians over $1 billion annually as investigations continue.
39 Articles
39 Articles
OPP, CBSA Arrest 20 People, Recover More Than 300 Vehicles in Major Auto Theft Investigation
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have arrested 20 individuals and recovered more than 300 stolen vehicles as part of a major auto theft investigation into a criminal organization shipping stolen vehicles overseas. The investigation, known as Project Chickadee, began in August 2023 when the OPP recovered four stolen vehicles in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), OPP Detective Inspector Scott Wade said …
Collingwood Today
306 stolen vehicles seized in major Ontario auto theft, shipping bust
OPP say they've dismantled a criminal organization that shipped stolen vehicles to overseas destinations, with arrests of 20 including Stouffville resident
The Ontario Provincial Police recovered over 300 stolen vehicles valued at $25 million, in addition to making 20 arrests.
WellandTribune.ca
Think your stolen car is gone for good? It might have been bound for the Middle East
If you've had a high-end vehicle stolen from the GTA over the past two years, it may have been shipped overseas and sold on the illicit market. If you've already received an insurance payout, there's no guarantee you'll get the…
OPP, CBSA recover 306 stolen vehicles in sprawling international auto-theft probe
Ontario police say a complex, multi-year investigation has dismantled an organized criminal network responsible for stealing hundreds of vehicles across the province and illegally exporting them to overseas markets.
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