A sweeping corruption investigation has resulted in the arrest of seven active Toronto police officers and one former service member, uncovering a web of criminal activity that includes alleged drug trafficking and a conspiracy to commit murder. The probe, which also led to the apprehension of seven civilians, was triggered by a June 2025 incident where officers were accused of attempting to assassinate a corrections official at his private residence.
Authorities revealed that some officers allegedly engaged in trafficking fentanyl and cannabis, while three civilians are charged with plotting to murder the prison manager. Four other arrested civilians face charges linked to international organized crime networks, including allegations of bribing officers for confidential information to facilitate extortion schemes.
Police Chief Myron Demkiw characterized the situation as particularly damaging due to organized crime’s penetration of law enforcement, stating the harm extends far beyond immediate wrongdoing. All seven officers have been suspended, with Demkiw seeking to suspend them without pay where appropriate.
The investigation, dubbed a collaborative effort involving over 400 officers from multiple agencies including York Regional Police and Ontario Provincial Police, was described by York Police Chief Jim MacSween as demonstrating ‘the insidious and corrosive nature of organized crime.’
Surveillance footage presented at Thursday’s press conference showed three masked armed men ramming a police vehicle in the corrections official’s driveway. Despite the severity of the internal corruption, Chief Demkiw confirmed he has not been asked to resign while acknowledging the situation has generated significant public distrust.