A suspected drug trafficker accused of receiving confidential information from a Toronto police officer, allegedly involved in a plot to harm a senior corrections officer, was granted a bail of $1.5 million in Toronto on Wednesday.
Brian Da Costa, aged 43, will be placed under house arrest with three sureties while confronting 16 charges, including corrupting a peace officer, drug and police uniform trafficking, and conspiracy to impede justice.
As part of the bail conditions, he must surrender his passport, wear a GPS ankle monitor, refrain from possessing any weapons, and have no access to a cell phone or computer.
Craig Bottomley, Da Costa’s legal representative, expressed gratitude to the Justice of the Peace for the thoughtful decision and stated that they are prepared to contest the accusations in court.
Recently, York police Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan referred to Da Costa as a prominent figure in a criminal network based in the Greater Toronto Area, allegedly overseeing a sophisticated drug trafficking scheme with international connections, as disclosed during a lengthy corruption investigation termed Project South.
A total of seven active Toronto police officers and one retired constable, alongside 19 civilians, face charges in the extensive probe on corruption and organized crime. None of the allegations against them have been tested in court.
Hogan highlighted that five of the charged officers had purported links to Da Costa, with Const. Timothy Barnhardt being the most significant among them. Barnhardt, a member of the 12 Division, was described as the starting point of Project South, initiated after York police discovered an alleged plot to harm a senior corrections officer at an Ontario detention facility.
According to York investigators, Barnhardt, aged 56, accessed private details about the senior corrections officer and shared them with Da Costa, who allegedly disseminated the information to other individuals involved in the murder conspiracy.
Further investigations revealed that Barnhardt purportedly provided Da Costa with additional confidential data that facilitated seven shootings in the York Region, as per Hogan’s statements.
Besides, Barnhardt was allegedly engaged in an operation orchestrated by Da Costa, wherein he, together with Sgt. Robert Black, Sgt. Saurabjit Bedi, and Sgt. Carl Grillette, are accused of aiding illegal cannabis dispensaries by accepting bribes to shield them from scrutiny, Hogan reported.
Last month, Barnhardt was denied bail and is slated for the next court appearance on March 19.
Another officer with alleged ties to Da Costa is Const. Elias Mouawad, who is accused of disclosing confidential information to Da Costa and another individual involved in illicit activities.
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Mouawad, Black, Bedi,