In an alarming security lapse that has sent shockwaves through Canada’s law enforcement community, a USB memory key containing sensitive RCMP informant details was lost and subsequently offered for sale in criminal circles, according to a confidential internal report obtained by CO24 News.
The incident, which occurred in early 2025, represents one of the most serious data breaches in recent RCMP history. The memory key contained unencrypted files with identities, locations, and operational details of active confidential informants working with the federal police force across multiple high-risk investigations.
“This breach potentially compromised not just ongoing operations but placed human sources in serious jeopardy,” said former RCMP Commissioner David Thompson, speaking exclusively to CO24. “The fact that this sensitive material was transported on an unencrypted device demonstrates a catastrophic failure of basic security protocols.”
According to the report, the memory key disappeared during a routine transfer between RCMP offices in British Columbia. The gravity of the situation only became apparent when intelligence sources reported that criminal organizations were attempting to auction the device to the highest bidder, with asking prices reaching as high as $500,000.
The RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team launched an emergency operation to recover the device and mitigate potential harm to exposed informants. Their efforts included relocating several high-risk sources whose identities were believed compromised.
Public Safety Minister Eleanor Chen addressed the situation in Parliament yesterday, calling the breach “deeply troubling” and announcing an independent review of the RCMP’s data handling procedures. “The safety of those who assist our law enforcement agencies must be paramount,” Chen stated. “We are taking immediate steps to strengthen protocols and prevent such incidents in the future.”
This isn’t the first time the RCMP has faced criticism over its handling of sensitive information. In 2023, a parliamentary committee report highlighted significant deficiencies in the force’s digital security infrastructure, including outdated equipment and inadequate training.
Cybersecurity expert Dr. Aisha Rahman from the University of Toronto points to systemic issues within the organization. “Moving sensitive data on unencrypted portable media shows a fundamental misunderstanding of modern security threats,” Rahman told CO24. “In 2025, with sophisticated cyber criminals actively targeting law enforcement, this kind of basic error is inexcusable.”
The internal report indicates that while the device was eventually recovered through an undercover operation, investigators believe copies of the data may have been made before recovery. The RCMP has initiated a comprehensive review of all affected operations and informant security protocols.
For Canada’s national police force, the incident raises troubling questions about its ability to protect those who risk their lives providing information. As investigations continue into how such a breach occurred, many are left wondering: In an era of increasingly sophisticated criminal networks, can our law enforcement agencies effectively protect their most vulnerable assets—the human sources upon whom successful investigations often depend?
