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<\/p>\nPeel Regional Police say they have dismantled a violent extortion network that targeted South Asian business owners across the region and beyond, arresting 17 men and laying more than 100 criminal charges following a sweeping international investigation.<\/p>\n
Police announced the arrests Monday, alleging the group \u2014 known as \u201cFor Brothers\u201d \u2014 was behind a months-long campaign of intimidation, extortion, shootings and arsons targeting business owners mostly in Brampton but also in Mississauga, Caledon and British Columbia, with links extending to California.<\/p>\n
Investigators allege the accused, many of whom came to Canada from India as international students or workers, were connected to 24 criminal incidents, including 16 violent attacks involving arson and multiple shootings. Police say a total of 324 rounds were fired during the incidents linked to the group.<\/p>\n
\u201cResidents were being inundated with extortion calls,\u201d Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said during a news conference Monday. \u201cBrazen, violent criminality that was unfortunately going unchecked.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brown said business owners first began raising concerns about extortion demands roughly three years ago, telling officials they feared for the safety of their families.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere\u2019s a case where all the alleged criminals are not even Canadian citizens, but they acted with impunity in our region,\u201d Brown added.<\/p>\n
Police say several businesses, including restaurants and trucking companies, were repeatedly targeted after refusing to comply with extortion demands, with the violence escalating over time.<\/p>\n
In one case, investigators say two suspects carried out a shooting and arson at a home in Caledon before targeting a business in Brampton in a second shooting minutes later.<\/p>\n
The investigation, launched in December 2025, involved Peel Regional Police, the Ontario Provincial Police, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the FBI and FINTRAC.<\/p>\n
In April, investigators executed a series of search warrants across multiple locations, leading to the arrests of 17 men who now collectively face 106 criminal charges.<\/p>\n
Police also seized six firearms, illegal drugs, multiple cell phones, SIM cards and fraudulent identification documents during the operation.<\/p>\n
Authorities say six individuals charged by Peel police could face immigration proceedings, including possible deportation, after their criminal matters are resolved.<\/p>\n
Separately, the CBSA arrested and detained six people for alleged immigration inadmissibility. Officials say three have already been removed from Canada, two remain in custody and one was released on conditions by the Immigration and Refugee Board.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese arrests reflect the coordinated efforts of Peel Regional Police and our law enforcement partners across jurisdictions to disrupt these networks and hold those responsible accountable,\u201d said Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah. \u201cExtortion is not confined to one region but connected both nationally and internationally. Addressing it requires strong cross-border collaboration and intelligence-sharing among agencies. We recognize the fear and harm this has caused, particularly within the South Asian community, and remain committed to put a stop to these crimes and keep our communities safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Police say the investigation remains ongoing and additional arrests are expected.<\/p>\n
Since 2023, Peel police\u2019s Extortion Task Force has been investigating a growing number of violent extortion attempts involving threats, financial demands, shootings and arsons targeting members of the South Asian business community.<\/p>\n
Here are the names of those now charged:<\/p>\n
Iqbal Singh Bhagria, 25, of Brampton, ON
\u2022 Intentionally discharge a Firearm Recklessly x2
\u2022 Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
\u2022 Arson Causing Damage to Property x2
\u2022 Utter Forged Document
\u2022 Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence \u2013 Extortion<\/p>\n
Ravinder Singh, 25, of Surrey, BC
\u2022 Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence \u2013 Discharge Firearm x2<\/p>\n
Dilwarpreet Singh, 26, of Brampton, ON
\u2022 Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
\u2022 Possession of a Loaded Prohibited Firearm
\u2022 Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
\u2022 Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device or Ammunition
\u2022 Fail to Comply with Release Order
\u2022 Careless Storage of Firearm<\/p>\n
Prabhdeep Sohal, 22, of Brampton, ON
\u2022 Intentionally Discharge a Firearm Recklessly
\u2022 Unauthorized Possession of Firearm x2
\u2022 Occupant of Motor Vehicle Knowing There was Firearm
\u2022 Careless Storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device or Ammunition x2
\u2022 Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Weapon x2
\u2022 Carrying Concealed Weapon
\u2022 Extortion
\u2022 Possession of a Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
\u2022 Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device or Ammunition<\/p>\n
Ajaydeep Singh, 29, of Brampton, ON
\u2022 Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
\u2022 Possession of a Loaded Prohibited Firearm
\u2022 Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
\u2022 Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device or Ammunition
\u2022 Careless Storage of Firearm<\/p>\n
Rajan Singh, 28, of Barrie, ON
\u2022 Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
\u2022 Possession of a Loaded Prohibited Firearm
\u2022 Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
\u2022 Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device or Ammunition
\u2022 Careless Storage of Firearm<\/p>\n
Akashdeep Singh, 24, of Norval, ON
\u2022 Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
\u2022 Possession of a Loaded prohibited Firearm
\u2022 Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
\u2022 Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device or Ammunition
\u2022 Careless Storage of Firearm<\/p>\n
Jashanbir Singh, 21, of Surrey, BC
\u2022 Assault
\u2022 Extortion<\/p>\n
Parapbir Ghuman, 22, of Brampton, ON
\u2022 Discharge Firearm with Intent
\u2022 Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm x4
\u2022 Extortion x4
\u2022 Intentionally Discharge a Firearm Recklessly x3
\u2022 Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm x3
\u2022 Occupant of Motor Vehicle Knowing There Was a Firearm x3
\u2022 Careless Storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device or Ammunition x3
\u2022 Theft Under<\/p>\n
Navroop Singh, 24, of Brampton, ON
\u2022 Discharge Firearm with Intent
\u2022 Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm x4
\u2022 Extortion x4
\u2022 Intentionally Discharge a Firearm Recklessly x3
\u2022 Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm x3
\u2022 Occupant of Motor Vehicle Knowing There Was a Firearm x3
\u2022 Careless Storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device or Ammunition x3
\u2022 Theft Under<\/p>\n
Mohinder Singh, 30, of Brampton, ON
\u2022 Obstruct Justice x3
\u2022 Utter Forged Documents<\/p>\n
Mandeep Singh, 21, of Brampton, ON
\u2022 Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
\u2022 Careless Storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device or Ammunition
\u2022 Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm<\/p>\n
Amritjot Singh, 22, of Brampton, ON
\u2022 Possession of a Controlled Substance x3<\/p>\n
Jashanpreet Singh, 22, of Brampton, ON
\u2022 Fail to Comply with Release Order x4<\/p>\n
Guneet Guneet, 27, of Brampton, ON
\u2022 Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence
\u2022 Careless Storage of Ammunition<\/p>\n
Sukhwinder Singh, 32, of Brampton, ON
\u2022 Fail to appear<\/p>\n
Gautam Gautam, 22, of Manteca, CA
\u2022 Possession of a Stolen Firearm<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n