3 CAF members charged in alleged crypto-motivated kidnapping

CBC English
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Oct 15, 2026
Video Summary
AI GeneratedToronto Police have arrested seven men, including three members of the Canadian Armed Forces, following a violent abduction and cryptocurrency theft. The investigation revealed that the suspects used stolen military-grade ammunition and magazines. The Department of National Defence is now reviewing its oversight processes to prevent future security breaches.
The incident took place on July 25th.
Standing in front of a table packed with seized weapons and ammunition,
Toronto Police provided details of a case that began in late July
with an alleged violent abduction.
What started as a kidnapping investigation became much larger.
Now, 82 charges and seven men arrested,
three of them members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
They're accused of restraining and assaulting a victim at gunpoint
for the purposes of stealing cryptocurrency.
Investigators later determined
that approximately 2,500 rounds of the ammunition
and five overcapacity magazines had
been stolen from the Canadian Armed Forces.
The members of the Armed Forces are Telaroomba Fernando,
James Morrow and Jack Miley,
all current members of the 7th Toronto Regiment.
It's unclear if officials knew the equipment was missing.
They didn't report to us that they were aware ahead
of time, however they may have been.
Obvious questions remain about how the military
grade ammunition and magazines left the base.
The military has very rigorous processes and regulations in place
to avoid that.
So clearly, somebody will need to be held to account.
In a statement to CBC News, the Department of National Defence said,
We recognize the need to put more safeguards in place.
We are actively working to strengthen verification
and oversight of ammunition holdings.
As the case continues,
there are other disturbing possibilities being explored.
We have not revealed any connection to a larger organized crime group
involving this specific investigation.
It's a growing trend militaries around
the world are grappling with, says this expert.
The National Investigation Service will look very carefully
at how this was able to transpire
and whether or what the Canadian Armed Forces can do to ensure that
they are robust and resilient against infiltration
by organized crime in Canada.
Ian, also of note, a large quantity of cocaine,
methamphetamine and other controlled substances seized by police.
And Jamie, what's the status of the three armed forces members?
They remain members of the armed forces as of now,
but they've been removed from military duties.
We do know that the military is also investigating
and a formal military review could see them kicked out
for good if they're found to be at fault.
Jamie Strachan in Toronto.
