Peel Regional police say they have dismantled a criminal cell responsible for dozens of tractor, trailer and load thefts from across the Greater Toronto area.

Three Brampton men have been arrested and charged with more than 100 offences in relation to the thefts that involved the stealing and re-selling of cargo to a network of discount stores and other businesses across Southern Ontario.

Police allege the suspects would steal tractors and empty cargo trailers and then would attend logistic companies, freight forwarders and various other commercial properties, where loaded trailers of various cargo would be located.

“The stolen vehicles were then used to remove loaded cargo trailers containing freight ranging from consumable goods to appliances,” police said in a release.

The investigation began last April after police targeted an organized crime group operating in Peel Region, the Greater Toronto area and Golden Horseshoe.

The suspects used storage facilities throughout the Greater Toronto Area to hide the stolen property until it could be sold to purchasers. It is believed some of the thefts occurred from Etobicoke yards.

“Many of the items would end up in food markets, liquidators and dollar stores, where unsuspecting consumers would purchase the illegally obtained items,” according to police.

Three suspects from the crime group were arrested on October 27 after search warrants were conducted at their residences.

As a result of the numerous search warrants conducted throughout the project, 20 stolen cargo loads, tractors and trailers, with an aproximate value of $4 million were recovered.

Many of the stolen goods were successfully returned to their owners.

Charged are Dharwant Gill, 39, Ravneet Brar, 25, and Devesh Pal, 23, all of Brampton. They face a total of 50 counts of possession of stolen property and 43 counts of possession of stolen property for the purpose of trafficking.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to call the Peel Regional Police Commercial Auto Crime Bureau at 905-453-2121 ext. 3319.

You can also contact Peel Crime Stoppers anonymously by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.