GTA police dismantle $1.3M liquor trafficking operation

Halton police, Toronto police and the LCBO say they have dismantled a large-scale liquor trafficking operation responsible for distributing more than $1.3M in stolen alcohol across the GTA.

Investigators say the joint investigation was launched in July into an organized group believed to be buying and re-selling liquor stolen from LCBO locations throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

Detectives say the course of the four month investigation identified several individuals involved in trafficking the stolen liquor and linked them to 10 separate organized theft groups.

These groups are alleged to have supplied the trafficking operation with stolen liquor valued at more than $1,300,000.

Most of the stolen liquor was sold from the accused’s residence or delivered directly to buyers across the GTA.

Last month, police executed search warrants at a residence in North York where investigators seized approximately $120,000 in currency, a 2018 Toyota Corolla, a 2021 Toyota RAV4, a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette and 126 bottles of whiskey.

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Parminder Sidhu, a 52-year-old man from North York , Rajinder Sidhu, a 56-year-old woman from North York and Navdeep Sidhu, a 25-year-old man from North York all face multiple property-trafficking charges.

All of the accused were released from custody pending a court appearance in Toronto.

“Our community deserves to shop and work in safe environments,” said Raf Skwarka, Inspector of Halton Regional Police Service Investigative Services.

“The individuals involved in this operation showed a deliberate disregard for the law and for the safety of others. Thanks to the collaborative efforts in this investigation, the accused have been brought to justice,” Skwarka said. ”We will continue to prioritize public safety by targeting organized retail crime.”

“We are committed to creating safer experiences in our stores through a combination of prevention, education, and investigation,” said John Summers, Chief Retail Officer, LCBO. “Our collaboration with police services proves that just because someone walks out with a bottle doesn’t mean they got away with the crime.”

Anyone with information regarding the illegal sale of stolen goods is encouraged to contact the HRPS Retail Crime Unit at 905-825-4747.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Halton Crime Stoppers.

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