Canadian police arrested 17 men linked to an alleged Punjabi-origin extortion network targeting South Asian business owners in Ontario and British Columbia, with authorities filing 106 charges and warning of cross-border organised crime operations.
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Seventeen men, most of them of Indian origin and linked to the Punjabi diaspora, have been arrested in Canada for allegedly running an international extortion racket targeting South Asian business owners in the Greater Toronto Area and other regions, according to Peel Regional Police.
The arrests were announced on Sunday following a Joint Forces investigation led by the Peel Regional Police Extortion Task Force. Authorities said the probe, launched in December 2025, led to coordinated raids across several locations in April this year and resulted in 106 criminal charges. Police added that some of the accused could also face deportation proceedings after the completion of criminal cases.
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Investigators alleged that the accused were associated with an organised crime network identified as “For Brothers”, which allegedly operated across Brampton, Mississauga, Caledon, and parts of British Columbia, while also maintaining links extending to California in the United States.
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According to police, the group primarily targeted restaurant owners, trucking businesses, and members of the South Asian community by issuing repeated extortion demands. Officials said those who refused to pay were allegedly subjected to violent acts, including shootings and arson attacks.
Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said extortion networks were operating beyond regional and national boundaries and required coordinated international action.
“Extortion is not confined to one region but is connected both nationally and internationally. Addressing it requires strong cross-border collaboration and intelligence-sharing among agencies,” Duraiappah said.
He said the operation reflected joint efforts by several law enforcement agencies to dismantle organised criminal networks and hold those responsible accountable. Duraiappah also acknowledged growing fear within the South Asian community and said police remained committed to ensuring public safety.
Police linked the accused to 24 incidents, including 16 violent offences involving shootings and arson. Investigators claimed at least 324 rounds of ammunition were fired in incidents connected to the alleged network.
One incident highlighted by investigators involved a shooting and arson attack at a residential property in Caledon, followed shortly afterward by another shooting at a commercial establishment in Brampton.
Authorities said six firearms, illegal narcotics, mobile phones, SIM cards, and fraudulent identity documents were seized during the operation.
The arrested individuals were identified as Iqbal Singh Bhagria, Akashdeep Singh, Ravinder Singh, Jashanbir Singh, Dilawarpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Prabhdeep Sohal, Partapbir Ghuman, Ajaydeep Singh, Navroop Singh, Rajan Singh, Amritjot Singh, Jashanpreet Singh, Guneet Guneet, Sukhwinder Singh, Mohinder Singh, and Gautam Gautam. Police clarified that the allegations against them have not yet been tested in court.
Canadian authorities said six of the accused could face immigration-related action, including removal from Canada following criminal proceedings.
Separately, the Canada Border Services Agency detained six individuals on grounds of immigration inadmissibility. CBSA President Erin O’Gorman said enforcement against extortion-linked immigration violations had been intensified.
“As of May 7, 2026, we have opened 446 immigration investigations, issued 118 removal orders, and enforced 55 removals,” O’Gorman said.
The arrests come amid mounting concern in Canada over a rise in extortion attempts targeting South Asian communities, particularly in regions with large Punjabi populations such as Peel Region in Ontario and Surrey in British Columbia.
Peel Police had established a dedicated Extortion Investigative Task Force in 2023 after a spike in complaints from business owners alleging threats, intimidation, and violence. Earlier investigations, including Project Outsource conducted during 2024-25, had also uncovered alleged links between organised extortion networks, violent crimes, and towing industry fraud.
Canadian law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned that criminal groups allegedly use social media, spoofed phone numbers, and threats of drive-by shootings or arson attacks to extort money from members of the South Asian business community. Officials have also said many incidents remain unreported because victims fear retaliation.
Earlier this year, the Canadian federal government announced funding support of up to one million Canadian dollars for Peel Police to strengthen action against extortion-related crimes, improve victim support, and enhance coordination between agencies.
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