Key Takeaways
- The Halton Regional Police have dismantled a large-scale liquor trafficking operation involving over $1 million in stolen alcohol from LCBO locations across the Greater Toronto Area.
- The operation was carried out by an organized group that purchased and resold stolen liquor, with links to 10 separate organized theft groups.
- The groups supplied the trafficking operation with liquor valued at over $1.3 million, which was sold from residences or delivered directly to buyers across the GTA.
- Three individuals were arrested and face charges, including possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
- The police seized approximately $120,000 in currency, several vehicles, and 126 bottles of whiskey during the investigation.
Introduction to the Investigation
The Halton Regional Police have announced the dismantling of a large-scale liquor trafficking operation, which involved the theft of over $1 million in alcohol from LCBO locations across the Greater Toronto Area. The investigation was launched in July 2025, in partnership with the LCBO Resource Protection Unit and the Toronto Police Service’s 23 Division Retail Crime Unit. The joint investigation aimed to target an organized group that was purchasing and reselling stolen liquor, with the goal of disrupting and dismantling the operation.
The Scope of the Operation
Over the course of the four-month investigation, police and LCBO investigators identified several individuals involved in trafficking the stolen liquor and linked them to 10 separate organized theft groups. These groups allegedly supplied the trafficking operation with liquor valued at over $1.3 million, which was then sold from residences or delivered directly to buyers across the GTA. The operation was sophisticated, with the group using various methods to obtain and sell the stolen liquor, and it is estimated that the majority of the stolen liquor was sold from the accused’s residence or delivered directly to buyers.
The Raid and Arrests
On November 20, 2025, members of police services in both Halton and Toronto executed search warrants at a residence in North York, seizing approximately $120,000 in currency, a 2018 Toyota Corolla, a 2021 Toyota RAV4, a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette, and 126 bottles of whiskey. Three individuals were arrested and face a number of charges, including possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. The arrests and seizures mark a significant blow to the liquor trafficking operation, and the police believe that the dismantling of the operation will help to reduce organized retail crime in the area.
Community Safety and the Importance of Collaboration
The investigation and subsequent arrests demonstrate the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the private sector in targeting organized retail crime. Halton police Insp. Raf Skwarka emphasized that "our community deserves to shop and work in safe environments," and that the individuals involved in the operation showed a deliberate disregard for the law and for the safety of others. The police will continue to prioritize public safety by targeting organized retail crime, and the dismantling of the liquor trafficking operation is a significant step towards achieving this goal.
Conclusion and Future Efforts
The dismantling of the large-scale liquor trafficking operation is a significant achievement for the Halton Regional Police and their partners. The investigation and arrests demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborative efforts in targeting organized retail crime, and the police will continue to work together to reduce crime and improve public safety. The operation highlights the importance of community safety and the need for continued efforts to target organized crime. As the police continue to investigate and disrupt organized retail crime, they will work to ensure that those involved are brought to justice and that the community is protected from the effects of these crimes.
