Unexpected turnaround for six individuals tried for drug, gun and arson violations in the Greater Toronto towing industry. In early May, Crown prosecutors remained in the cases against the six defendants appearing as a group.
Their trial, however, represents the culmination of a month -long high -profile police investigation aimed at curbing the violence plaguing the towing industry in the Greater Toronto Area.
baptized Platinum Projectthe York Regional Police -led operation targets individuals investigators believe are involved in an all -out war for control of the towing industry.
Power clashes have resulted in at least four killings, attacks, shootings and the burning of at least 30 tow trucks, according to police.
In May 2020, 19 arrests were made, the result of a joint investigation between the Ontario Provincial Police, the Toronto police and the Canada Revenue Agency.
Tapping on the phone in question
Police have charged six parts of a criminal organization involved in drug trafficking, possession of firearms, arson and planning murder.
Criminal attorney Jag Virk, representing one of the defendants, told CBC that the Crown had dropped several gun charges against his client.
He said Crown lawyers are keeping all the remaining cases against the six defendants in the Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket two weeks ago.
” [Mon client] is over the moon. She was shocked. He was under strict house arrest and the fact that he was finally released after two years was a little less weight on his shoulders. “
According to Virk, the charges remained after the judge ordered the Crown to release some information in a wiretap warrant that was redacted in an earlier version provided to the defense.
The Crown believes these exhibits would reveal the identity of an informant, Virk said, and chose to stay with the charges rather than release that information.
Imperfect judicial system
A York police spokesman said the operation had the impact of reducing crime and violence in the towing industry by disbanding a major criminal organization.
Success in prosecution is not the only measure by which we can achieve our community safety goalspolice response Laura Nicolle, in an email to the CBC, also mentioned a significant decrease in violence related to the tow truck industry.
This is not the first time that cases have been laid thanks to a major police investigation has remained.
Last February, one of the largest organized crime police operations in Ontario history collapsed after police allegedly illegally intercepted phone calls.
Prosecutors then decided to stay on the charges after defense attorneys expressed concerns that investigators had committed crimes. significant violation of solicitor-client privilege.
We work in an imperfect justice systempolice officer Laura Nicolle replied to the letter.
By their nature, these cases are complex and multifaceted. We are always faced with challenges within the justice system that may or may not be overcome in any particular case.
Based on information from Ryan Patrick Jones, CBC
Source: Radio-Canada
