5 extra persons are going through charges as a part of an investigation into extortion makes an attempt made in opposition to South Asian companies in Brampton and Mississauga, police say.
The 5 accused — 4 males and one woman — have been arrested and charged not too long ago and have been launched from custody with situations, Peel Regional Police mentioned in a information launch on Thursday.
The girl and three of the boys have been charged with extortion. Police mentioned they’ve additionally recovered 4 firearms.
In line with police, the arrests and charges observe incidents in September 2023 and January, Could, June and July of this yr.
The latest arrests, charges and seizures of weapons are all a part of an investigation into extortion-related incidents by the Peel Regional Police Extortion Investigative Activity Drive (EITF), a staff made up of investigative and intelligence items supported by tactical groups.
Police alleged within the launch that extortion-related incidents in Peel Area have concerned calls for for giant sums of cash below the specter of violence. The incidents have additionally concerned property injury and weapons offences.
“Victims of those incidents are sometimes contacted by means of social media platforms, akin to WhatsApp and Fb, which permit on-line discussion groups,” police mentioned within the launch.
Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah mentioned in a video assertion that police observed a “disturbing” pattern in late 2023 through which enterprise homeowners have been changing into the victims of extortion makes an attempt for giant sums of cash below the specter of violence.
“These incidents deeply impacted victims and their households and have been felt all through our neighborhood and communities proper throughout this nation,” he mentioned.
Activity pressure has investigated over 60 incidents, chief says
In response, police arrange the duty pressure. Because it was launched, Duraiappah mentioned police have investigated greater than 60 extortion-related incidents, made 23 arrests and laid 154 charges.
Duraiappah mentioned police have additionally seized 20 firearms, a number of rounds of ammunition, a number of excessive capability gun magazines, greater than 11 kilograms of methamphetamines and greater than $10,000 in proceeds of crime. He added that police have recovered six stolen autos.
“The EITF continues to work carefully with legislation enforcement companions throughout Canada and the U.S. to analyze these incidents, and we anticipate our efforts will result in additional arrests and charges,” Duraiappah mentioned.
“Anybody who receives a requirement for cash below the specter of violence is urged to not make any type of fee and to name the police instantly.”
In line with police, the 5 accused are a 27-year-old man from B.C., a 25-year-old man from Brampton, a 44-year-old man from Brampton, a 24-year-old man from Hamilton and a 21-year-old woman from Brampton.
