Police arrest a terrorist suspect heading to Somalia, Toronto

On March 29, 2011, the RCMP arrested an individual in the Toronto area for terrorism-related offenses. A male suspect was arrested and charged under Section 83.18 of the Criminal
Code of Canada for attempting to participate in terrorist activity, and for providing counsel to a person to participate in terrorist activity.

The suspect was arrested without incident at Toronto Pearson International Airport yesterday. It is alleged that he was about to board a plane bound for Cairo, Egypt transiting through London, England, to then go to Somalia. He is currently being detained pending his court hearing. The suspect’s name will be publicly released once charges are formally laid in court later today.

This joint national security criminal investigation between the RCMP “O” Division Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (O-INSET) and the Toronto Police Service Intelligence Division, named “Project SEVERE”, began in October 2010. In the course of this investigation, it was revealed that the suspect was allegedly planning to travel to Somalia to join Al Shabaab and participate in their terrorist activities. The RCMP and the Toronto Police Service were able to obtain numerous critical pieces of evidence required to lay criminal charges.

“The RCMP plays a critical role in the fight against global terrorism, and this investigation is an example of our dedication to this important cause. We will continue to work with partners to eliminate terrorist criminal activity in Canada and abroad,” says RCMP Inspector Keith Finn, Officer In Charge of O-INSET. 

"The Toronto Police Service, in partnership with our law enforcement colleagues at O-INSET, plays a valued role investigating and mitigating potential threats to national security. Project Severe is an example of how successful this partnership can be in ensuring the safety and security of the public," said Superintendent Tom Fitzgerald, Unit Commander of the Toronto Police Service’s Intelligence Division.

Through INSETs, the RCMP works in partnership with numerous agencies to investigate all national security threats to the fullest. INSETs increase the RCMP’s capacity to collect, share and analyze intelligence among partners, and its ability to enforce the laws that protect our national security and to ultimately bring criminals to justice.

The RCMP has the primary responsibility for preventing, detecting, and investigating terrorism-related criminal activity in Canada and abroad, and is committed to protecting the safety and security of Canadians. The public is encouraged to contact the RCMP National Security Information Network at 1-800-420-5805 to report any suspicious activities that could pose a threat to Canada’s national security. 

One of the responsibilities of the Toronto Police Service’s Intelligence Division is to work with our law enforcement colleagues to investigate and interdict individuals or groups who may be involved in terrorist activities or threats to national security in order to provide a safe environment for the people of Toronto.