Toronto police say 59 suspects are facing a total of 300 charges in connection with an auto theft and re-vinning probe.
The results of the investigation, dubbed Project Thoroughbred, were announced at a news conference in Toronto on Friday morning.
Police say the investigation was launched in July and has led to the recovery of 363 stolen vehicles, valued at approximately $14 million.
Investigators noted that officers uncovered an alleged “scheme” that involved ServiceOntario employees registering phony Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) to legitimate licence plates.
According to police, ServiceOntario employees allegedly used fake documents to register real Ontario licence plates to fake VINs. The vehicles, police said, were then sold as “legitimate, properly plated” vehicles. Police noted that there are no ServiceOntario employees among the 59 people who have been charged as part of the investigation to date.
As part of the probe, police said, officers identified a number of …