Seven individuals, including three members of the Canadian Armed Forces, have been charged in connection with the kidnapping of a man targeted for his cryptocurrency assets in Toronto. Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw revealed that a total of 82 criminal charges have been laid after what initially started as a kidnapping investigation expanded into a broader probe involving firearms, stolen military ammunition, and organized crime.
The victim was reportedly abducted on July 25, 2026, near Finch Avenue East and Bayview Avenue in North York. Detectives from the Toronto police integrated kidnapping unit were alerted to the incident and discovered that the victim was forcibly taken and released with a warning not to involve law enforcement due to his cryptocurrency holdings.
Following the abduction, officers swiftly apprehended two suspects, Saiefeddine Adem, 22, and Raheem Bishop-Jackson, 24. Subsequent arrests on Aug. 11 included Talarambage Fernando, 22, James Moreau, 29, and Christian Darbandi, 39. Additional suspects, Jack Miley, 24, and Suhaib Alekozai, 39, were arrested on Sept. 24. The accused individuals are facing charges related to kidnapping and various firearm offenses.
Among the accused, Fernando, Moreau, and Miley are identified as members of the Canadian Armed Forces, with Fernando and Moreau holding the rank of bombardier. Fernando joined as a reservist in January 2020 and was never deployed, while Moreau enrolled in March 2018 and served during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The three service members are alleged to have been involved in the crimes associated with the kidnapping case.
Demkiw stressed that accountability applies to everyone, regardless of their profession, and commended the Canadian Armed Forces for their cooperation in the investigation. Police seizures during the operation included firearms, ammunition, and other weapons, with most of the ammunition believed to have been stolen from the military.
Detective Superintendent Joe Matthews highlighted the case’s complexity as new evidence and suspects emerged, expanding the investigation significantly. While there are no outstanding suspects, authorities continue to piece together the connections between the accused individuals in the ongoing inquiry.
