Latest news with #OntarioRCMP
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
RCMP arrest individual for exporting banned technology to Russia Français
NEWMARKET, ON, June 6, 2025 /CNW/ - The Ontario RCMP have arrested a Canadian businessman for violating Canadian sanctions that prohibit technology trade and exports to Russia. Following a three-year investigation, the Ontario RCMP's Sanctions Unit has obtained Attorney General of Canada consent to commence a criminal prosecution under the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c. 17, and the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations, SOR/2014-58. Anton Trofimov (43) of Toronto, Ontario, is facing the following charges for sanctions evasion: Export, sell, supply or ship a good referred to in Column 1 of Schedule 7 to Russia, contrary to section 3.9 (1) of the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (SOR/2014-58), thereby committing an offence contrary to section 8 of the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c.17; Export, sell, supply or ship a good referred to in the Restricted Goods and Technologies List to Russia, contrary to section 3.6 (1) of the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (SOR/2014-58), thereby committing an offence contrary to section 8 of the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c.17; Possess proceeds of property obtained by crime, contrary to section 354(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada. Trofimov made a first appearance in the Ontario Court of Justice at Toronto on May 22, 2025. "Canada's sanctions are a critical component to our economic security, and these types of violations pose serious risks in maintaining international peace and global security. Individuals and businesses are responsible for ensuring the end destination of all exports do not fall under these sanctions. The RCMP will continue to pursue individuals or groups who attempt to profit from illegal trade." Chief Superintendent Chris Leather Officer in Charge of Criminal Operations, RCMP Central Region The RCMP works closely with domestic and international partners, including the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, Global Affairs Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, the United States Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to prevent and disrupt the illicit trade of technologies with sanctioned states. "This arrest is an example of how close collaboration with our Canadian partners can result in significant impact such as disruptions to Russia's attempts to evade U.S. and Canadian sanctions." Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office. "This arrest demonstrates both the importance of the CBSA's ongoing work to interdict the proliferation of strategic Canadian technology and the crucial cooperation between the CBSA and RCMP in identifying exporters intent on violating sanctions. The CBSA's Counter Proliferation Operations Section examines more than 1 million export declarations per year and collaborates with external and internal partners to meet Canada's commitment to enforcing sanctions on strategic exports to Russia." Daniel Anson, Director General, Intelligence and Investigations, Canada Border Services Agency Prosecutions under the Special Economic Measures Act are conducted by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. The purpose of the Canada Sanctions regime is to enable the Government of Canada to take economic measures against certain persons in circumstances where an international organization of states, of which Canada is a member, calls on its members to do so. The RCMP Sanctions Program performs several roles within the Government of Canada's sanctions regime, including conducting investigations into potential contravention of sanctions, the receipt of information from third parties in accordance with the legislation, and providing assistance to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. For more information on Canadian sanctions enforcement, please visit our website. For more information about the high priority items list subject to export controls, please visit the Global Affairs Canada website. If you have any information related to violation of Canada's sanctions legislation, you can contact the RCMP at [email protected].
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
RCMP arrest individual for exporting banned technology to Russia
NEWMARKET, ON, June 6, 2025 /CNW/ - The Ontario RCMP have arrested a Canadian businessman for violating Canadian sanctions that prohibit technology trade and exports to Russia. Following a three-year investigation, the Ontario RCMP's Sanctions Unit has obtained Attorney General of Canada consent to commence a criminal prosecution under the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c. 17, and the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations, SOR/2014-58. Anton Trofimov (43) of Toronto, Ontario, is facing the following charges for sanctions evasion: Export, sell, supply or ship a good referred to in Column 1 of Schedule 7 to Russia, contrary to section 3.9 (1) of the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (SOR/2014-58), thereby committing an offence contrary to section 8 of the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c.17; Export, sell, supply or ship a good referred to in the Restricted Goods and Technologies List to Russia, contrary to section 3.6 (1) of the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (SOR/2014-58), thereby committing an offence contrary to section 8 of the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c.17; Possess proceeds of property obtained by crime, contrary to section 354(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada. Trofimov made a first appearance in the Ontario Court of Justice at Toronto on May 22, 2025. "Canada's sanctions are a critical component to our economic security, and these types of violations pose serious risks in maintaining international peace and global security. Individuals and businesses are responsible for ensuring the end destination of all exports do not fall under these sanctions. The RCMP will continue to pursue individuals or groups who attempt to profit from illegal trade." Chief Superintendent Chris Leather Officer in Charge of Criminal Operations, RCMP Central Region The RCMP works closely with domestic and international partners, including the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, Global Affairs Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, the United States Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to prevent and disrupt the illicit trade of technologies with sanctioned states. "This arrest is an example of how close collaboration with our Canadian partners can result in significant impact such as disruptions to Russia's attempts to evade U.S. and Canadian sanctions." Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office. "This arrest demonstrates both the importance of the CBSA's ongoing work to interdict the proliferation of strategic Canadian technology and the crucial cooperation between the CBSA and RCMP in identifying exporters intent on violating sanctions. The CBSA's Counter Proliferation Operations Section examines more than 1 million export declarations per year and collaborates with external and internal partners to meet Canada's commitment to enforcing sanctions on strategic exports to Russia." Daniel Anson, Director General, Intelligence and Investigations, Canada Border Services Agency Prosecutions under the Special Economic Measures Act are conducted by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. Fast Facts The purpose of the Canada Sanctions regime is to enable the Government of Canada to take economic measures against certain persons in circumstances where an international organization of states, of which Canada is a member, calls on its members to do so. The RCMP Sanctions Program performs several roles within the Government of Canada's sanctions regime, including conducting investigations into potential contravention of sanctions, the receipt of information from third parties in accordance with the legislation, and providing assistance to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. For more information on Canadian sanctions enforcement, please visit our website. For more information about the high priority items list subject to export controls, please visit the Global Affairs Canada website. If you have any information related to violation of Canada's sanctions legislation, you can contact the RCMP at Federal_Policing_Intake_Unit@ Twitter: @RCMPONTFacebook: rcmpontarioYouTube: RCMP_Ontario_GRCWebsite: RCMP in Ontario SOURCE Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Central Region View original content: Sign in to access your portfolio
Hamilton Spectator
22-05-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
RCMP investigating drug smuggling ‘scheme' that turned Burlington man's Caribbean vacation into a nightmare
After two months and eight days detained in the Dominican Republic, Burlington's David Bennett returned home last Friday night. 'It's been a magical reunion and we've really been focused on rest, recovery and connecting with family, friends and the forest,' Bennett's wife Jane Wilcox said on Tuesday, May 20, adding the couple went on some short hikes over the Victoria Day long weekend with their dog, Jada. Bennett arrived home shortly after 7 p.m. May 16, the day after restrictions on his travel were lifted. 'It was very sudden,' Wilcox said. 'We only found out the travel ban was lifted Thursday evening just after 8 p.m. so it was a whirlwind and stressful 24 hours.' Dominican authorities dropped the drug trafficking charges by May 1, but Bennett's long-awaited return home was delayed further while paperwork to lift travel restrictions was filed and processed. 'Dave is soaking up good food and positive energy from our home and community,' Wilcox stated in an email. Bennett was detained on March 7 as he and his wife prepared to fly home after a Punta Cana vacation. They learned Dominican authorities had found a bag at the airport containing marijuana and cocaine, allegedly shipped from Canada and bearing a name similar to Bennett's. Despite their insistence the bag didn't belong to Bennett, he was arrested. After spending a few nights in jail, he was granted bail on March 10 but wasn't allowed to leave the country while the investigation continued. In a statement emailed to the Burlington Post, an RCMP spokesperson said the agency is 'aware of reports in the media of travellers being detained abroad for luggage containing illegal drugs' who suspect their baggage tags were switched, or tampered with, without their knowledge. Tampering with baggage tags may be done by 'airport insiders co-operating with smugglers,' according to the statement. 'The objective is to place a tag from legitimate luggage onto luggage containing contraband, such as illegal narcotics, in order to get it onto the plane,' the RCMP spokesperson said. The Ontario RCMP's Toronto Airport Detachment is investigating cases of baggage tag tampering in attempts to smuggle illegal drugs and contraband out of Canada. 'Our investigators have successfully identified and arrested individuals who we believe are involved with this scheme,' the RCMP spokesperson said. 'We are also co-operating with any and all foreign police partners to provide evidence that may assist any files related to these investigations. We are unable to share specific details surrounding victims or accused at this time as the investigations are ongoing.' An RCMP spokesperson said earlier this month the agency was providing information to Dominican authorities 'that can assist Mr. Bennett in coming back to Canada,' but they did not confirm any specific details of the case.
CBC
08-04-2025
- CBC
An RCMP officer and a retired Vancouver cop say not even police are safe from high-tech spyware
Social Sharing Retired Vancouver police officer Paul McNamara was out with his family in August 2023 when he had a phone conversation with a friend, Ontario RCMP officer Pete Merrifield. As he talked, he noticed his phone became unusually hot, "like it was about to melt down." At the time, McNamara, who retired from the Vancouver Police Department in 2016, was on vacation in Montreal. When he tried to order an Uber, he says his phone was locked due to "too many password attempts." He found it odd, but brushed it off as a glitch. Then, that fall, he learned that the national police force had used controversial spyware called an On-Device Investigative Tool (ODIT) to remotely hack into his and Merrifield's phones. This was revealed thanks to evidence in an ongoing court case involving another former RCMP officer where McNamara and Merrifield were witnesses. McNamara says ODITs allow police to read messages on a person's phone in real time, even on encrypted apps like Signal, but two-step authentication can still otherwise block access to data on certain apps that would require police to know the person's password. While concerns from privacy advocates and human rights groups have focused on these tools being used to spy on journalists and other citizens, in this case spyware was used on a current and former police officer who say they were only ever told they were witnesses, not suspects, in a foreign interference case. The two are now raising alarms about how the invasive technology was used in their case and the implications it has for broader police use. Meanwhile, one expert told CBC he worries this type of spyware has surpassed legal frameworks protecting Canadians' privacy rights. Deputy RCMP Commissioner Bryan Larkin defended the national police force's use of spyware to conduct surveillance and collect data from digital services. 'We recognize that there's legislative gaps, we want to mitigate those risks' Larkin said. Canada has no legislation regulating spyware In 2022, a House of Commons privacy committee ordered the RCMP to disclose its "device investigation tools." In response, the RCMP revealed it had been using ODITs to hack phones and other devices since 2017 without notifying the public or the federal privacy commissioner. Canada currently has no legislation regulating spyware use. A 2024 RCMP report says the force only deploys ODITs "for serious criminal investigations, such as organized crime, national security and terrorism, cybercrime, or other serious crimes," and that the technique is only used with judicial authorization, and "when other investigative means of collecting evidence have proven to be ineffective." According to the report, some of the tool's technical capabilities include "intercepting communications, collecting and storing data, capturing computer screenshots and keyboard logging, and/or activating microphone and camera features." Canada's Public Safety ministry has refused to disclose which vendors supply the RCMP with ODITs and has not denied that other government agencies might also use them. Just last month, a Citizen Lab report detailed "a growing ecosystem of spyware capability" among the RCMP and multiple Ontario-based police services. "If it's not kept in check, it could be a disaster — which we believe it is," McNamara said in a phone interview with CBC News. OPP may have secretly used controversial tech that can spy on citizens 19 days ago Duration 7:46 A controversial spyware that delivers easy and complete access to a stranger's phone is now allegedly in use by Ontario Provincial Police. Metro Morning spoke to researchers with Citizen Lab to find out more about the controversial technology — and their investigation into the OPP. Toronto-based criminal defence lawyer Adam Boni says ODITs make traditional wire tapping "look like something from the stone age," and that the RCMP's use of them has been "shrouded in secrecy." He says he has concerns about the lack of independent monitoring and review processes around spyware technology. "There's a whole cluster of issues that demand transparency and accountability, and we're just not seeing that," he said. "Whenever you have that type of really powerful state surveillance being utilized, and at the same time, steps being taken to prevent full disclosure of what's being done, it raises serious concerns in terms of privacy rights." Officers surveilled in foreign interference investigation McNamara and Merrifield filed a lawsuit together last year against the federal government, seeking $5.5 million in damages and alleging defamation, claiming they lost their security clearances — and in McNamara's case, his job — because of "inaccurate, incomplete, misleading and/or false" information provided by CSIS to their employers. They say CSIS wrongly implicated them in assisting William Majcher, a former RCMP inspector who was charged in 2023 with helping China conduct foreign interference in a case that is still ongoing. Though both McNamara and Merrifield say they had known Majcher for years, they both deny having any unlawful associations with him. Both men say they were interviewed by Montreal RCMP regarding their relationships with Majcher, and both say they were informed they were being interviewed as witnesses. Neither were charged with any crime. Though Merrifield has since had his security clearance restored, both he and McNamara say they suffered stress, anxiety and depression, as well as embarrassment and loss of reputation. Their lawsuit is still ongoing. It was through evidence that turned up in court files related to the Majcher case, that they learned the RCMP gained access to their cellphones using an ODIT. They believe RCMP investigators hacked their phones because they were unable to get an ODIT on Majcher's phone, as he was based in Hong Kong. CBC News also obtained an April 2023 affidavit filed by the RCMP to deploy the ODITs to the officers' phones in the Majcher case that appears to indicate they applied them to the wrong numbers at least twice. "We don't know if they were defunct numbers, dormant numbers, or if they actually snatched data of an innocent private citizen," Merrifield said in a phone interview with CBC News. An internal RCMP document from May 2023, also published in the Majcher court case, states the ODITs on McNamara and Merrifield were required "for the purpose of collecting historical messages as well as documentary evidence in support of the offences being investigated" in relation to Majcher. The RCMP appear to have run into multiple issues accessing the phones. A Sept. 7, 2023, email published in court documents related to the Majcher case details failed attempts to crack passwords for several apps or accounts. "[H]itting the same account over and over again with a wrong password could lead to the account being locked and raise suspicion by the owner," the email read. Though McNamara says he can't know for sure that the attempts to crack these passwords were related to him, as there were other numbers subject to the ODITs, he told CBC News in an email that it seemed "more than coincidence" that he was also having issues with his phone at around the same time. Merrifield, McNamara feel 'betrayed' and 'violated' Merrifield, who has worked with U.S. federal agencies and overseen security for visits by world leaders, foreign dignitaries and royalty through his work with the RCMP, says he feels "betrayed" by the police force "in a way I could not fathom in my worst f--king nightmare." He has a history of disputes with RCMP brass and is the co-founder and vice-president of its union, the National Police Federation. He also learned from the April 2023 affidavit that the RCMP had ordered an ODIT on his union phone during the time he was engaged in collective bargaining conversations that year. He says this breached not only his privacy, but the privacy of some 19,000 union members. In the lawsuit, Merrifield also accuses CSIS of previously using ODITs against him in the Majcher case. A CSIS spokesperson told CBC News in an email that the agency is "unable to comment on the matter as it is currently before the courts." "It's terrifying. I don't care who you are. It's the most powerful tool available to law enforcement or intelligence," Merrifield said. "There's no hiding from it. They can turn your phone into a camera. They can turn it into a microphone. You can turn the power off, they can still use the device. It's the most intrusive thing that exists in the world today." CBC News reached out to the RCMP for comment on McNamara and Merrifield's allegations, but the force declined to be interviewed. It instead sent an emailed statement saying, "It would be inappropriate for the RCMP to comment on this case as the matter is before the courts." McNamara, who once worked undercover in high-profile covert operations with the Vancouver Police Department, says learning the ODITs were ordered on his devices has left him feeling "violated." Allowing ODITs to become a mainstream investigative tool erodes citizens' right to privacy, he says, and is a serious breach in ethics, moral obligations and legal procedures. "Having been in the police, we get this mission creep, where the police will push the boundaries," McNamara said. "And so we start to normalize the behaviour, when they shouldn't be doing this." Technology has surpassed legal framework: lawyer A spokesperson for the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada said in an email that the RCMP's use of ODITs primarily falls under part six of the criminal code, which sets out provisions for police to get judicial authorization for intercepting private communications in criminal investigations. The email also noted that the RCMP is subject to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, including the section eight protection against unreasonable search and seizure, which acts as an additional check on the use of ODITs. The spokesperson would not speak to this specific case, but said the office conducts "voluntary consultations" with government institutions that are typically focused on program design and implementation, and those consultations "are conducted in confidence." Boni says police use of ODITs in general signals that Canada has entered an era where technology has vastly surpassed the legal frameworks in place for protection of privacy. He says lawyers, legislators and judges need to take a hard look at whether or not sufficient checks and balances are in place to prevent abuses before they occur.
