Toronto police say that five people have been charged in connection to the investigation of a 14-year-old teenager who was kidnapped after his stepbrother allegedly stole $4 million worth of drugs back in March.
Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders made the announcement Thursday.
“This whole abduction piece precipitated off a drug rip and the brother who was allegedly involved in that drug rip has caused the family to be in harm’s way, which led to this abduction,” he said.
READ MORE: Abducted Toronto teen sought in Amber Alert reunited with relieved family, suspects still at large
The teen was on his way to school when he was tackled to the ground by a group of men and put into a dark Jeep Wrangler in the area of Jane Street and Driftwood Avenue. His parent’s reported him missing at 5:30 p.m., as they were unaware he did not make it to class.
Investigators said it was initially reported the 14-year-old could be heard screaming, “Help me, help me” at around 8:30 a.m.
Police issued an Amber Alert just before midnight.
The teen was held at a rural property with a barn on Heritage Road, near Mississauga Road and Sandalwood Parkway West, in Brampton. Police said he was released in the area of Wanless Drive and Heritage Road in Brampton.
The Jeep Wrangler was found burned near Forks of the Credit Provincial Park.
At the time, investigators said the stepbrother’s drug theft happened in the summer of 2019. Approximately 100 kilograms of cocaine was taken that was worth around $4 million.
On Tuesday search warrants were executed and Scott McManus, 37, Samir Abdelgadir, 38, Liban Hussein, 25, and Hamed Shawnawaz, 30, were arrested and charged.
A total of thirty charges were laid, including kidnapping for ransom and forcible confinement.
Police later said an outstanding suspect, 29-year-old Solaiman Nassimi, surrendered to officers.
On Friday, police said Nassimi is facing six charges, including kidnapping for ransom and arson.
He will appear in court Friday, as will Abdelgadir. Hussein and Shahnawaz will appear May 19 and McManus is scheduled to appear May 27.
“This may not be over, there may be more charges as we continue to drill down and get everybody that’s involved in it,” Saunders said.
During the execution of the search warrants, a fifth man was arrested and charged. However, police said they do not believe he was involved in the abduction.
Jeremy Proctor, 25, was charged with multiple drug offences.
Police seized a kilogram of cocaine, more than 70 pounds of marijuana, around $130,000 in cash, body armour and cellphones and other electronic devices during the search warrants.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information about the investigation, is encouraged to contact investigators at 416 808-3100 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-847.
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