Canadian Armed Forces Members Among 7 Charged In Toronto Crypto-motivated Kidnapping Investigation

Three members of the Canadian Armed Forces are among seven individuals charged following a Toronto police investigation into the kidnapping of a man who was allegedly targeted because of his access to cryptocurrency assets.

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw announced Wednesday that investigators have laid a total of 82 criminal charges against seven accused after what began as a kidnapping probe evolved into a broader investigation involving firearms, stolen military ammunition and organized criminal activity.

Police allege the victim was abducted on July 25, 2026, as he approached his vehicle in the area of Finch Avenue East and Bayview Avenue in North York.

According to Detective Superintendent Joe Matthews, members of the Toronto police integrated kidnapping unit were called to investigate a reported abduction that day. Investigators allege the victim was forcibly taken and later released, but was threatened not to contact police.

“The victim was allegedly targeted because of his access to cryptocurrency assets,” Matthews told reporters. “… The victim was later released and was threatened not to contact police

Police said the investigation expanded after officers identified additional suspects and uncovered evidence beyond the original kidnapping allegation.

Within 24 hours of the abduction, investigators arrested two suspects identified as Saiefeddine Adem, 22, and Raheem Bishop-Jackson, 24.

Additional arrests followed on Aug. 11, when police took Talarambage Fernando, 22, James Moreau, 29, and Christian Darbandi, 39, into custody.

Police later arrested Jack Miley, 24, and Suhaib Alekozai, 39, on Sept. 24.

Authorities say the accused face a range of charges, including kidnapping and numerous firearms-related offences.

Investigators identified Fernando, Moreau and Miley as members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Fernando and Moreau hold the rank of bombardier. The Department of National Defence announced last week that Fernando enrolled as a reservist in January 2020 but was never deployed, while Moreau enrolled as a reservist in March 2018 and was deployed in 2020 on Operation Laser, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Police allege the three service members were involved in the offences linked to the kidnapping investigation and are facing criminal charges alongside the other accused.

Demkiw emphasized that no one is exempt from accountability under the law, regardless of their profession or position.

“Whether you are a member of the military or a member of a police service or a public official, no one is above the law,” he said.

The Toronto police chief also thanked the Canadian Armed Forces for assisting investigators throughout the probe.

Police say search warrants executed during the investigation led to the seizure of multiple weapons, including a shotgun, two firearm silencers and other firearms. Investigators also recovered more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition.

According to police, nearly all of the ammunition seized had been stolen from the Canadian Armed Forces.

Matthews described the case as one that grew significantly beyond the original kidnapping allegation as investigators uncovered additional evidence and suspects.

Police said there are currently no outstanding suspects and no further arrests are anticipated in the case.

“We’re still trying to determine how all of [the suspects] fit together in this puzzle,” Matthews noted.