Toronto police have charged seven individuals, including three Canadian Armed Forces members, with 82 offences following a July kidnapping of a cryptocurrency exchange owner. The investigation uncovered stolen military ammunition and illicit drugs.
Toronto police have charged seven individuals, including three members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), with a total of 82 criminal charges following a kidnapping investigation that began in July 2026. The case originated from the abduction of a man identified by the Toronto Star as a cryptocurrency exchange owner.
The investigation began on July 25, 2026, when police responded to a reported abduction near Finch Avenue East and Bayview Avenue in North York. According to Detective Superintendent Joe Matthews, the victim was targeted as he approached his vehicle. The Toronto Star reports that police allege the victim was abducted "at gunpoint," handcuffed and assaulted. The suspects attempted to gain access to the victim’s cryptocurrency assets and "business-related security systems" before releasing him with a warning not to contact police.
Within 24 hours of the incident, police identified a suspect vehicle and arrested two individuals: Saiefeddine Adem, 22, and Raheem Bishop-Jackson, 24. Subsequent arrests were made on Aug. 11, involving Talarambage Fernando, 22, James Moreau, 29, and Christian Darbandi, 39. Jack Miley, 24, and Suhaib Alekozai, 39, were arrested on Sept. 24.
Police identified Fernando, Moreau and Miley as members of the Canadian Armed Forces. The Department of National Defence confirmed that Fernando and Moreau hold the rank of bombardier and are members of the 7th Toronto Regiment, a reserve artillery unit based at the Moss Park Armoury. Both were removed from military duties following their arrests. The Department of National Defence noted that Fernando enrolled as a reservist in January 2020 and was never deployed, while Moreau enrolled in March 2018 and was deployed in 2020 on Operation Laser.
During the execution of search warrants, officers seized significant quantities of weapons and ammunition. Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw stated that more than 2,700 rounds of ammunition were recovered, including approximately 2,500 rounds believed to have been stolen from the Canadian Armed Forces. Matthews noted that the CAF did not report the ammunition as stolen to police but later confirmed the seized items belonged to the military.
Other items seized included a shotgun, three 9-mm firearms (two with 3D-printed receivers), two silencers, 10 overcapacity magazines, GPS tracking devices, a crossbow, and large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine.
The charges laid include kidnapping for ransom, forcible confinement, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and possession for the purpose of trafficking. While the suspects have not been tied to any organized gang, Chief Demkiw described the risk posed by the accused as "concerning," particularly given the military training of the CAF members.
"When you are dealing with people who have a degree of training as we do with members of the Canadian Armed Forces who are prepared to engage in what is alleged here, taking somebody off the street by force, that is incredibly concerning," Demkiw said.
Superintendent Matthews highlighted the "increasingly sophisticated and targeted nature of crimes involving digital assets." He stated, "Criminals continue to adapt their methods and seek new opportunities for financial gain."
This case illustrates the intersection of digital asset theft and traditional violent crime, with perpetrators leveraging military training and access to restricted resources. The theft of approximately 2,500 rounds of ammunition from the Canadian Armed Forces raises significant security concerns regarding the accountability and oversight of military personnel. Police emphasize that the investigation remains ongoing, with no outstanding suspects, as they continue to examine the ties between the seven accused.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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