Ryan Wedding’s Network Linked to Toronto Police Corruption Probe

An alleged drug smuggler connected to accused kingpin Ryan Wedding has been moved to a special handling unit within the Toronto South Detention Centre (TSDC), raising further questions about potential corruption within Toronto law enforcement. The move comes amid a sprawling investigation, known as Project South, which has already led to the arrest of seven Toronto police officers, a retired constable, and 19 civilians.

Drug Smuggling and Police Corruption Allegations

Gurpreet Singh, accused of conspiring to transport hundreds of kilograms of cocaine for Wedding’s network, was transferred to the special unit last Friday, according to his lawyer Christopher Lutes . Lutes stated that inquiries regarding the transfer have “gone unanswered.” Singh has been detained at TSDC since October 2024, fighting extradition to the U.S. Where he faces federal charges related to Wedding’s alleged cocaine-smuggling operation.

The transfer occurred two days after CBC News reported Singh’s ties to Brian Da Costa, an alleged organized crime figure identified by York Regional Police as a key player in Project South . Da Costa is currently facing 16 charges related to the corruption probe.

Connections to Project South

Although Singh has not been charged in connection with Project South, two sources have confirmed his connection to the investigation . Project South uncovered allegations that Da Costa bribed Toronto police officers and conspired to target a TSDC manager for murder .

According to court documents, Singh is one of 35 individuals Da Costa is prohibited from contacting as a condition of his bail . York Regional Police announced last month that Project South had led to the arrest of seven Toronto officers, a retired constable and 19 other civilians, including Da Costa . Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan stated Da Costa was involved in a “sophisticated” operation involving cannabis, cocaine, and methamphetamine trafficking, and shipping drugs to Europe.

Singh’s Alleged Criminal Network

U.S. Prosecutors describe Singh as “deeply enmeshed in the criminal underworld” . He and his uncle, Hardeep Ratte, allegedly coordinated at least two shipments totaling over 650 kilograms of cocaine from California to Canada for Wedding’s network, agreeing to a rate of $220,000 per truckload . This agreement was reportedly made at a Brampton, Ont. Auto body shop and recorded by an FBI informant who was later killed in Colombia.

Prosecutors too allege Singh has connections to the Kinahan organized crime group, a syndicate linked to drug trafficking, money laundering, and murder . He is alleged to have been involved in a scheme to ship stolen high-end cars to Dubai through the port of Montreal.

Singh reported being kidnapped and held by Mexican cartel members in Sinaloa state in August 2024 over a $600,000 drug debt, with Wedding reportedly intervening to secure his release .

Ryan Wedding’s Arrest and Charges

Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder, was arrested in Mexico in January and extradited to California by the FBI . He has pleaded not guilty to charges including murder, drug trafficking, witness tampering, and money laundering.