Toronto – Alleged drug trafficker Brian Da Costa, accused of orchestrating a scheme to obtain confidential police information and conspiring to harm a corrections officer, was granted a $1.5 million bail Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The release comes amidst a sprawling corruption investigation dubbed “Project South” that has shaken the Toronto Police Service and implicated multiple officers.
Da Costa, 43, will be released under strict conditions, including house arrest, surrender of his passport, and continuous GPS monitoring. He is also prohibited from possessing weapons or accessing cell phones and computers. His lawyer, Craig Bottomley, expressed gratitude to the Justice of the Peace for a “carefully considered” decision, stating they “look forward to attacking these allegations in Court.”
The case centers around allegations that Da Costa, described by York Regional Police Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan as a key figure in a GTA-based criminal network with international ties, used inside information to facilitate criminal activity. The investigation began last June after uncovering a plot to kill a senior corrections officer at an Ontario detention centre.
Da Costa faces 16 charges, including bribing a peace officer, trafficking drugs and police uniforms, and conspiracy to obstruct justice. The allegations stem from a months-long investigation that has resulted in charges against seven current Toronto police officers and one retired constable, alongside 19 civilians, though none of these charges have been proven in court.
Allegations of Police Corruption at the Heart of Project South
According to York police, the investigation revealed a pattern of alleged misconduct involving Toronto police officers providing confidential information to Da Costa in exchange for bribes. Constable Timothy Barnhardt, a 56-year-old officer with 12 Division, has been identified as central to the alleged corruption, described as the “genesis” of Project South. Barnhardt was denied bail last month and is scheduled to return to court on March 19.
Investigators allege Barnhardt accessed private information about the corrections officer targeted in the alleged murder plot and provided it to Da Costa. Further, Hogan stated Barnhardt allegedly provided Da Costa with information that facilitated seven shootings in York Region. He is also accused of involvement in a scheme where he, along with Sergeant Robert Black, Sergeant Saurabjit Bedi, and Sergeant Carl Grillette, allegedly accepted bribes to protect illegal cannabis dispensaries from investigation.
Constable Elias Mouawad is also implicated, accused of providing confidential information to Da Costa. Mouawad, Black, Bedi, Grillette, and two other Toronto police officers were released on promises to appear in court in May. Two additional Toronto police officers are currently suspended pending the outcome of the investigation, and three Peel police officers are also suspended in connection with the probe.
Brian Da Costa at the Armoury Street courthouse in Toronto on Feb. 25, 2026. (Pam Davies/CBC)
Previous Drug Charges and the Timeline of Events
This is not the first time Da Costa has faced drug-related charges. In 2019, Da Costa was arrested after Toronto police raided his apartment, discovering six bricks of cocaine and $12,640 in cash. He was initially charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of money obtained through crime, but the prosecution was stayed in early 2023 following a defense argument alleging potential Charter rights violations. Crown attorney Chris Walsh declined to provide a reason for the stay at the time, citing ongoing investigations and confidential informants.
Da Costa was again arrested in late January 2026 on three drug trafficking and exporting charges, and subsequently charged with violating his release conditions on February 3rd by leaving his surety’s residence. He will remain in custody until fitted with a GPS ankle monitor.
What’s Next in Project South?
Da Costa’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 26, alongside many of the other individuals charged in Project South. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are continuing to examine the extent of the alleged corruption within the Toronto Police Service. The case raises serious questions about police accountability and the potential for organized crime to infiltrate law enforcement agencies. The outcome of these proceedings will likely have significant implications for public trust in policing and the integrity of the criminal justice system in the Greater Toronto Area.
This is a developing story, and we will continue to provide updates as they develop into available. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
