The Peel police arrested 15 people after investigating a car theft gang that allegedly stole fully loaded commercial vehicles and then sold their cargo to unsuspecting buyers.

The police say the investigation, dubbed "Project Big Rig," began in March and was a joint operation between the Peel Regional Police, York Regional Police, Toronto Police Service, Halton Regional Police, and Ontario Provincial Police.

Mark Haywood from the Peel police's commercial auto crimes unit said during a press conference in Mississauga on Wednesday morning, "As a result of this investigation, six locations within the Greater Toronto Area were targeted, and arrest warrants were executed."

Haywood added, "Through the hard work of the investigative team, I am pleased to share that the investigation resulted in the recovery of 28 containers of stolen goods valued at $6.99 million, as well as the recovery of 28 additional stolen tractors and trailers valued at $2.25 million, for a total recovery value of $9.24 million."

Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Milinovitch also spoke at the press conference, stating, "As one of the largest transportation hubs in the country, the Peel area is often targeted for organized auto theft and commercial goods theft."

He furthered, "With five major highways running through our region, nearly $1.8 billion in goods pass through our area every day, and we often see that the proceeds from stolen goods and car theft are used to fuel and finance organized crime."

The police noted that individuals arrested as a result of Project Big Rig have been charged with crimes ranging from possession of property obtained by crime to auto theft and tracking stolen goods.

Haywood said, "The crime gang was not targeting specific types of commercial vehicles; rather, they stole a range of goods."

All 28 loads were varied in shape, size, and value, ranging from vehicles and snowmobiles to SUVs, down to food products, but they were an eclectic mix of products they were stealing.

There was a specific method they were using in which they entered many facilities through the fence, cutting the fence, entering, and stealing the product; they would typically steal a truck and exit through the fence.

Haywood added, "The shipment was then sold, often to third parties unaware they were buying stolen goods."

He also stated that from now on, it will be necessary to carry out more joint operations like Big Rig to combat this type of organized crime, which almost always operates across jurisdictional lines.

Haywood said, "We are constantly working with our partners; it is not a problem we can simply drive our way out of. We certainly need to continue investigations, and these joint operations are really the only way we can combat many of these thefts."