A shadow fell over retail outlets across three provinces as a sophisticated theft ring systematically emptied store shelves, leaving authorities scrambling to respond. Millions of dollars in merchandise vanished in a carefully orchestrated wave of brazen daylight robberies, primarily targeting Shopper’s Drug Mart locations.
The operation, dubbed Project Sommes, began with a surge in reported thefts within Hamilton, quickly expanding to encompass Peel, York, Waterloo, and intelligence networks across Ontario. Investigators soon discovered a pattern – a transient group executing remarkably well-planned raids, then disappearing with their haul.
The stolen goods weren’t simply vanishing; they were being funneled to a Mississauga location and then dispersed to large-scale liquidation warehouses in Brampton and beyond. A preliminary assessment revealed over $1 million in recovered stolen property, alongside the seizure of six vehicles used in the operation.
As the investigation deepened, a disturbing connection emerged: the majority of those involved were recently arrived Romanian refugees. Authorities are now working with border services to determine the immigration status of the individuals, while two suspects attempted to flee to Vancouver, continuing their criminal activity before being apprehended and returned to Ontario.
What initially appeared as isolated incidents quickly unraveled into a complex, international criminal conspiracy. Investigators discovered the group had been trafficking stolen property since February 2024, responsible for hundreds of thefts across Ontario and extending their reach into Montreal.
The core of the operation appeared to be deeply rooted in family and close friendships. According to police, the suspects operated as a tight-knit unit, sharing resources and coordinating their efforts with chilling efficiency. This familial connection presented a unique challenge for investigators.
A long-standing frustration for law enforcement has been the revolving door of the bail system. Concerns are mounting that those arrested in Project Sommes may be released to re-offend, continuing the cycle of theft. This time, however, authorities are determined to break that pattern.
A shift in strategy is underway, moving away from treating each theft as an individual event and embracing an “organized crime approach.” All charges will be consolidated and heard in Hamilton, aiming to hold the entire group accountable for the scope of their criminal enterprise.
Twenty-one individuals now face a total of 175 charges, including theft, possession of stolen property, and participation in a criminal organization. The accused include Vijay Aggerwal, Stefan Bogdan, Andrei Burtea, Diana Burtea, Voicu Constantin, Nicusor Corcoveanu, Thi Dinh, Aurelian-Alexandru Dragan, Diana-Georgiana Dragan-Mandoiu, Marieta Dragomir, Florin Dragomir, Alexandru Iordache, Chiara Strassl, Andreea-Alina Toma, Claudia Toma, George Toma, Raluca-Madalina Veliscu, Van Phuc Vu, and three youths aged 15, 16, and 17.
The success of Project Sommes represents a turning point in the fight against organized retail theft, demonstrating the power of collaboration and a unified approach to tackling increasingly sophisticated criminal networks. It’s a stark reminder that crime, indeed, knows no borders.
