A sophisticated criminal network targeting high-end vehicles has been dismantled following a lengthy investigation dubbed “Project Paranoid.” The operation, an extension of an earlier probe called “Project Spectre,” resulted in the arrest of seven individuals and the recovery of 48 luxury cars valued at a staggering $3.75 million.
The investigation began in August 2023, revealing a complex scheme that extended beyond simple car theft. Authorities discovered a connection to firearm and drug trafficking, with stolen vehicles serving as a lucrative export – often fetching more than double their Canadian value on the black market overseas.
Superintendent Steve Watts described a chillingly organized system. Criminal groups weren’t randomly stealing cars; they were operating off detailed “shopping lists” circulated through encrypted apps, specifying makes and models like Range Rovers, BMWs, and Lexus vehicles. The demand was precise, the operation efficient.
Stolen vehicles weren’t immediately shipped. Instead, they were hidden in “cooling areas” – temporary storage locations – before being moved again, either for export in shipping containers or for illicit re-VINing and re-registration within Canada. This allowed the criminals to disguise the vehicles’ origins and sell them domestically.
The scale of the problem extends far beyond these arrests. Industry experts report a dramatic surge in auto theft claims, with Ontario alone exceeding $1 billion in losses in 2023 – a significant jump from $700 million the previous year. A vehicle is stolen every five minutes across Canada, putting immense pressure on consumers and insurance providers.
Authorities executed search warrants, made undercover purchases, and collaborated with agencies like the Canada Border Services Agency at the Port of Montreal to seize the vehicles. Twenty were recovered by Halton Regional Police, while Toronto and Montreal police contributed to the recovery of another twenty.
Those facing charges – Beka Suarishvili, Sadyk Sadykov, Igor Larionov, Ali Eren Poyraz, Vitaly Khalimov, Intizar Gasimov, and Jose “Galio” Furtunato – are accused of possession of property obtained by crime. Notably, all charges against Intizar Gasimov were withdrawn in October 2024, and he has no prior criminal record.
Superintendent Watts, surrounded by seized handguns and luxury cars during a press conference, delivered a stark warning: in Toronto, potential buyers must be wary. The line between legitimate transactions and criminal activity has blurred, and law enforcement is actively working undercover to disrupt these networks.
The origins of “Project Spectre,” which also led to the seizure of cocaine, were playfully linked to the fictional criminal organization from the James Bond films. “Project Paranoid,” Watts quipped, might even have a nod to the legendary Black Sabbath album, highlighting the pervasive sense of unease the investigation aimed to create for those involved.
