Police in Ontario have announced the dismantling of a highly sophisticated organized retail theft ring allegedly responsible for stealing millions of dollars in merchandise from stores across multiple provinces. The investigation, dubbed Project Sommes, culminated in a series of raids and the arrest of 21 suspects, most of whom are reportedly Romanian refugees.
The Scope of the Theft Ring
On Thursday, December 18, 2025, law enforcement officials revealed that a multi-jurisdictional task force had successfully targeted the criminal organization. The group is accused of operating in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. Hamilton Police Superintendent Ryan Diodati described the probe as "complex and far-reaching," emphasizing that "crime knows no borders."
The syndicate allegedly executed well-planned, daylight raids on retailers, with a primary focus on Shoppers Drug Mart locations. Following their thefts, police say the suspects would gather at a location in Mississauga. The stolen goods were then allegedly funneled to AG Liquidation, a large-scale commercial liquidation warehouse in Brampton, as well as to other wholesalers.
Investigators have recovered a significant haul of stolen property, with preliminary estimates valuing the seized items at more than $1 million. Police also seized six vehicles connected to the operation.
Family Ties and Cross-Country Crime
Authorities noted that the alleged participants were closely connected. Hamilton Police Superintendent Marty Schulenberg stated, "They were all family members or close friends." The Canada Border Services Agency is now investigating the immigration status of the individuals involved.
The gang's reach extended beyond Ontario. Investigators learned that two suspects flew to Vancouver over a weekend, where they allegedly continued targeting Shoppers Drug Mart outlets. They were arrested by Vancouver police and returned to Ontario to face charges.
The investigation, which began in August 2024 after a noted explosion in retail theft, was led by the Hamilton Police Service. It quickly grew to include officers from Peel Regional Police, York Regional Police, Waterloo Regional Police, and the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario (CISO). Police are also collaborating with the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), as the group is believed to have been active in that area as well.
Charges and an Organized Crime Approach
To date, 175 charges have been laid against the 21 suspects. Police report that the "majority" were already under release orders or had outstanding warrants at the time of their arrests. The charges include:
- Theft
- Possession of property obtained by crime
- Failure to comply with probation or an undertaking
- Commission of an offence for a criminal organization
- Participating in a criminal group
Superintendent Schulenberg addressed concerns about the bail system, acknowledging that release of accused individuals to potentially re-offend is "no doubt, a concern." He explained that a new strategy was employed for this case. Instead of treating each theft as an isolated incident, police adopted an organized crime approach, consolidating all charges to be heard together in Hamilton. "We are taking an organized crime approach, and these people are charged with participating in a criminal group," Schulenberg said.
On Tuesday, December 17, police executed 16 search warrants on three commercial properties, six residences, and seven vehicles as part of the project's final phase.
The following individuals have been charged in connection with Project Sommes:
- Vijay Aggerwal, 75, of Brampton
- Stefan Bogdan, 41, of North York
- Andrei Burtea, 22, of Hamilton/Vaughan
- Diana Burtea, 19, of Hamilton/Vaughan
- Voicu Constantin, 48, of North York
- Nicusor Corcoveanu, 28, of Hamilton/Vaughan
- Thi Dinh, 39, of Oakville
- Aurelian-Alexandru Dragan, 37, of North York
- Diana-Georgiana Dragan-Mandoiu, 34, of North York
- Marieta Dragomir, 37
- Florin Dragomir, 46, of Hamilton/Vaughan
- Alexandru Iordache, 33, of North York
- Chiara Strassl, 21
- Andreea-Alina Toma, 20, of Hamilton/Vaughan
- Claudia Toma, 19, of Vaughan
- George Toma, 45, of Vaughan
- Raluca-Madalina Veliscu, 31, of North York
- Van Phuc Vu, 29, of Mississauga
- Two boys, ages 15 and 17, of Hamilton/Vaughan
- A 16-year-old girl from Vaughan
Police confirmed that two of the suspects have already fled the country. The investigation received funding from the Ontario Government's Ministry of the Solicitor General, with support from CISO. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Hamilton Police Intelligence Unit or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
