Newly unsealed court documents allege a Toronto cop planned illegal cannabis shops and erotic massage parlours as part of Project South.
New court documents have added another startling detail to Ontario’s sweeping Project South investigation.
A Toronto police officer allegedly helped plan illegal cannabis dispensaries and erotic massage parlours in the city. According to newly unsealed documents, the alleged plan also involved protecting those businesses from police and bylaw enforcement.
The allegations form part of a much larger investigation into suspected corruption, organized crime and other serious offences.
Officer allegedly had a key role
Toronto police Const. Timothy Barnhardt is among 27 people charged in Project South.
Eight of those suspects are current or former police officers.
According to the documents, Barnhardt allegedly helped identify locations for illegal cannabis shops and massage businesses. He also allegedly agreed to help keep those locations away from enforcement action.
Investigators say the plan included giving businesses advance warning about inspections.
The documents also allege that cash bribes could have been arranged for police and bylaw officers. In addition, investigators say police databases could have been used to shield the businesses.
Alleged plan went beyond finding locations
The documents suggest the alleged operation involved several people.
Barnhardt and Brian Da Costa are identified by investigators as key figures. Several other accused people are also named in the material.
However, the allegations have not been proven in court.
Barnhardt’s lawyer declined to comment on the latest allegations. Da Costa’s lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to The Canadian Press.
Project South began with a different investigation
Project South did not start as an investigation into illegal cannabis stores.
Instead, York Regional Police began looking into an alleged attempt to harm an Ontario correctional worker.
As investigators followed that case, they say they uncovered possible links to police officers and organized crime.
Then, the investigation widened.
Police eventually announced dozens of charges in February 2026. Those charges included allegations involving bribery, drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit murder.
Newly unsealed documents shed more light
The latest details come from information-to-obtain documents, commonly called ITOs.
Police submit these documents when they seek search warrants. They explain the evidence investigators say supports a warrant request.
However, an ITO does not prove the allegations inside it.
The court has released more of the documents after media organizations challenged publication restrictions. At the same time, some material remains covered by a publication ban.
Ontario Superior Court Justice Laura Bird said greater public access was important while also recognizing the need to protect the accused’s right to a fair trial.
Police databases are also part of the allegations
The documents raise another concern: the alleged misuse of police information.
Investigators say Barnhardt provided confidential information to Da Costa. They further allege that some of that information was connected to other criminal activity.
Earlier evidence released in the case also described police database searches involving people connected to the wider investigation.
Those allegations remain before the courts and have not been tested at trial.
What happens next?
For now, the Project South allegations remain just that — allegations.
The newly released documents provide investigators’ account of what they believed was happening when they sought search warrants. They do not establish guilt.
Meanwhile, more material could emerge as court proceedings continue and additional documents are considered for release.
The case also raises broader questions about police oversight, access to confidential databases and how suspected corruption can go undetected.
For Toronto residents, however, one thing is clear: Project South has grown far beyond its original investigation, with newly unsealed records offering a deeper look at the allegations surrounding the case.
