Three Canadian soldiers among seven accused in ‘violent’ North York kidnapping

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Three Toronto-based reservist soldiers are now among seven men accused in a gunpoint kidnapping for ransom that occurred over the summer in North York.

But the investigation took an even more nefarious turn when investigators uncovered an alleged organized crime ring in possession of an arsenal of weapons — including guns with 3D-printed parts, silencers and over-capacity magazines — illicit drugs and thousands of rounds of ammunition mostly stolen from the Canadian military.

Toronto Police say the extensive investigation, led by the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force’s Kidnapping Unit, began after officers responded to an abduction of a man near Bayview Ave. And Finch Ave. E. on July 25.

Victim snatched at gunpoint

Chief Myron Demkiw, who revealed details of the case at a news conference held Wednesday at police headquarters while surrounded by the cache of seized weapons and ammunitions, said the victim of the “violent kidnapping” was targeted as he approached his vehicle.

“The victim was then abducted at gunpoint,” he said, adding the man was “handcuffed and assaulted.”

The chief said his abductors “attempted to get access to his cryptocurrency assets” and “business-related security systems.”

“The victim was later released after being threatened and warned not to contact police,” Demkiw said.

Chief Supt. Joe Matthews, of Detective Operations, who was also on hand at the news conference, said the victim was “fortunate that he was able to escape and notify police.”

But he was unwilling to offer any further details other than to say the victim suffered only minor injuries.

“Our investigators immediately began following every lead,” Matthews said. “Within 24 hours, the (suspect) vehicle was identified and two suspects were arrested.”

Raheem Bishop-Jackson, 24, and Saiefeddine Adem, 22, both of Toronto, were taken into custody on July 26.

They are each charged with kidnapping for ransom, forcible confinement, using an imitation firearm in the commission of an indictable offence, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and multiple counts of possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking.

Weapons and stolen military ammunition seized

As the investigation progressed, Matthews said search warrants were executed at multiple residences across the GTA and on vehicles.

Those searches allegedly led to the seizure of shotgun, two 9mm firearms with 3D-printed receivers, a third 9mm firearm that was not safely stored, two silencers, 10 over-capacity magazines, more than 2,700 rounds of ammunition (about half of it live rounds and half blanks), cellphones, a replica firearm, multiple knives and hatchets, GPS tracking devices, a money counter, portable radios, handcuffs, a balaclava, a baton, crossbow and arrows, firearm storage boxes, Canadian currency, a large quantity of methamphetamine, cocaine and other controlled substances.

“Investigators later determined that approximately 2,500 rounds of the ammunition and five over-capacity magazines had been stolen from the Canadian Armed Forces,” Matthews alleged.

Investigators identified five additional suspects and ultimately laid a combined total of 82 charges that include kidnapping, firearms and drug-related offences.

Talarambage Fernando, 22, and Christian Darbandi, 39, both of Toronto, and James Moreau, 29, of Markham, were arrested on Aug. 11.

Then Jack Miley, 24, and Suhaib Alekozai, 39, both of Toronto, were arrested on Sept. 24.

Alleged involvement of ‘highly trained’ soldiers ‘concerning’

“Investigators are continuing to examine the connection between the accused,” Matthews said. “However, I can confirm that three of the men – Talarambage Fernando, James Moreau and Jack Miley – are members of the Canadian Armed Forces,” Matthews said. “They’re training that they had received through the military is quite concerning, not only to the victims of this type of violence but also to our officers who may encounter them.”

“These are highly trained individuals with access to firearms and that creates a lot of concern not only for our community but also our officers,” he added.

Canadian Armed Forces spokesperson Andrée-Anne Poulin the Toronto Sun on Wednesday that Fernando, Moreau and Miley are current members of the 7th Toronto Regiment – a reserve artillery unit based at Moss Park Armoury in Toronto.

Fernando and Moreau are both bombardiers, a Canadian enlisted army rank equivalent to corporal, and Miley is a master bombardier, which is the equivalent of master corporal.

Bdr. Fernando enrolled in the Canadian Army as a Reservist in January 2020. He has not deployed on a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operation.

Bdr. Moreau enrolled in the Canadian Army as a Reservist in March 2018 and deployed on Operation LASER – the CAF’s response to the worldwide pandemic – in 2020. 

MBdr. Miley enrolled in the Canadian Army as a Reservist and deployed on Operation REASSURANCE – Canada’s major NATO deterrence mission in Europe – in 2025. 

Accused CAF members removed from military duties

“Following their arrests, the individuals were removed from military duties and their access to CAF equipment, facilities, and bases was restricted,” Poulin said.

“They remain members of the CAF pending the outcome of an administrative review,” she explained. “An administrative review is a formal process used to assess matters that may affect a member’s continued service while providing procedural fairness”

Poulin said the CAF is aware of the allegedly stolen military ammunition seized by Toronto Police and Military Police are investigating.

“Canadians rightly expect the Canadian Armed Forces to manage ammunition and explosives safely, securely, and responsibly,” she said. “While the Canadian Armed Forces maintains extensive controls and oversight mechanisms for ammunition and explosives, we recognize the need to put more safeguards in place, and we remain firmly committed to addressing any identified deficiencies in a timely and decisive manner.”

“Beginning this fall, we are also taking steps to modernize ammunition management, to improve accuracy, traceability, and accountability across the CAF,” Poulin added.

No further suspects are currently sought but Matthews said police are “still going through” the seized cellphones and the investigation remains active.

Before the news conference ended, Chief Demkiw took a moment to “make a broader point about trust.”

“Whether you are a member of the military or a member of a police service or a public official, no one, no one is above the law,” he said. “Our officers will always follow the evidence, wherever it leads, and they will act on it.”

cdoucette@postmedia.com

@sundoucette

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