Alberta vehicle theft probe: 5 charged, 80-plus vehicles linked
Alberta RCMP say five people have been charged after a multi-year vehicle theft and fraud investigation. Police linked more than 80 vehicles to the case.
Crime Canada newsroomPublished
Alberta RCMP say five people have been charged following a multi-year vehicle theft and fraud investigation that began in June 2024. Police announced the charges on Nov. 4, 2026, and said they linked more than 80 vehicles to the investigation.
Those stolen, fraudulently obtained or illegally exported vehicles had an estimated value of $6 million, police said. The total excludes vehicles allegedly obtained fraudulently from the government.
According to the RCMP, the investigation involved allegations of vehicle theft, re-vining, resale across Canada, overseas exports and insurance fraud. Police said they recovered several stolen vehicles and seized more than four million illegal cigarettes while executing search warrants between December 2025 and March 2026.
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In November 2025, investigators learned that the group had received potentially hundreds of government vehicles intended for disposal under false pretences, police said. The vehicles were exported or resold in Canada instead of being salvaged, according to the RCMP.
Starting in spring 2025, GC Surplus had contracted Penny Metal recycling to destroy 950 decommissioned RCMP vehicles. Police said there was no indication when the contracts were awarded that the vehicles would be handled contrary to the agreements.
Five people charged
Mohamed Mark Hajar, 41, of Edmonton, is charged with 11 counts of trafficking in property obtained by crime and eight counts of smuggling under the Customs Act. He was summoned to court on Nov. 16, 2026.
Peter Huy Nguyen, 41, of Edmonton, is charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000. He was released for an Edmonton court appearance on Nov. 16, 2026.
Jamal Andy Ghnaim, 34, of St. Albert, is charged with theft over $5,000, obtaining property under a false pretence, trafficking in property obtained by crime and fraud over $5,000.
Ghassan Fayad, 47, and Hamzee Fayad, 41, both of Edmonton, are each charged with possession of unstamped tobacco. Both were released to appear in court at later dates.
Police said the person at the centre of the initial investigation died before charges could be laid and would not be named.
About these reports
This article is based on the official statement linked below. Charges are allegations; everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Official source: RCMP