Organized crime group in Ontario dismantled with arrest of three South Asians from Brampton

AFTER a lengthy investigation, officers from Ontario’s Peel Regional Police’s Commercial Auto Crime Bureau have dismantled a group responsible for tractor, trailer and load thefts in numerous jurisdictions throughout southern Ontario.

Beginning in April 2021, investigators commenced a project with a focus on an organized crime group operating in Peel Region, the Greater Toronto Area and Golden Horseshoe.

The suspects would steal tractors and empty cargo trailers and then would attend logistic companies, freight forwarders and various other commercial properties, where loaded trailers of various cargo would be located.  The stolen vehicles were then used to remove loaded cargo trailers containing freight ranging from consumable goods to appliances.

The suspects used storage facilities throughout the Greater Toronto Area to hide the stolen property until it could be sold to purchasers.  Many of the items would end up in food markets, liquidators and dollar stores, where unsuspecting consumers would purchase the illegally obtained items.

On Wednesday, October 27, three suspects from the organized crime group were arrested after search warrants were conducted at their residences.  Evidence that would support the alleged offences were located during the search, police said.

As a result of the numerous search warrants conducted throughout the project, 20 stolen cargo loads, tractors and trailers, with an approximate value of $4 million were recovered.  Many of the stolen goods were successfully returned to their owners as a result of a partnership with Equite Association.

* Dharwant Gill, 39, of Brampton is charges with 22 counts of possession of stolen property and 20 counts of possession of stolen property for the purpose of trafficking.

* Ravneet Brar, 25, of Brampton is charged with 23 counts of stolen property and 21 counts of possession of stolen property for the purpose of trafficking.

* Devesh Pal, 23, of Brampton is charged with seven counts of stolen property and two counts of possession of stolen property for the purpose of trafficking.

Anyone with any information in relation to this investigation is asked to call investigators from the Commercial Auto Crime Bureau at 905-453-2121, extension 3319. Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.