Mr. Lisi, who has twice been convicted of assault, criminal harassment and making threats, was charged in the new case with extortion, although the police would not give details about the charge or identify the extortion victim. The Toronto Star has reported that Mr. Lisi, known as Sandro, tried to recover the video on Mr. Ford’s behalf after the initial news reports about its contents.

The unexpected announcement by the police came shortly after a court released parts of a police affidavit used to obtain a search warrant against Mr. Lisi in a drug investigation that recently resulted in his arrest on marijuana trafficking charges. Although heavily censored, the more than 300 pages of testimony and surveillance photos show Mr. Lisi and Mr. Ford apparently exchanging small packages on several occasions.

The document indicates that a major investigation by the police was started because of the news media reports about the crack video, as well as unspecified evidence from the investigation that produced the computer containing the video.

After Mr. Lisi began making U-turns and other unspecified maneuvers in his black Range Rover to shake off police surveillance teams, the police switched to using an airplane to observe his movements at times. The police also used wiretaps, cameras mounted on telephone poles and tracking devices attached to cars. The meetings and package exchanges between Mr. Ford and Mr. Lisi took place at children’s soccer matches, at gas stations and behind schools late at night, according to court documents.

Police photos of one episode show Mr. Ford in a bathroom of a gas station near his home. Mr. Lisi arrived at the station, and after exchanging text messages and making some purchases, he appeared to have left an envelope in Mr. Ford’s Cadillac Escalade.

The document also appears to support other reports by The Star that Mr. Ford has problems with alcohol that are interfering with his work. While Mr. Ford has strongly denied excessive drinking, the police recovered a number of empty vodka and juice bottles apparently left behind by the mayor after meetings with Mr. Lisi.

Several news outlets reported that some Council members were avoiding reporters. Of those who spoke to journalists, the ones calling for Mr. Ford’s resignation were generally his political opponents. His political allies mainly offered tepid support, while calling for caution before making judgments about the mayor.

The Toronto Sun, a morning tabloid that has long been supportive of Mr. Ford, not only joined its rivals in calling for his resignation, but also published a 24-page special afternoon edition devoted to the mayor’s situation.