Peel Regional Police have filed over 100 criminal charges in what officials describe as one of the biggest extortion cases in the area’s history.
The investigation started in December 2025 and involved collaboration with the Surrey Police Service from B. C., Canadian border services, and the FBI, according to PRP Chief Nishan Duraiappah.
In April, police carried out several search warrants at various locations, resulting in the arrest of 17 men. Fourteen of them are from Ontario, two from B. C., and one from California. They collectively face 106 charges, including 11 for extortion and 75 related to firearms, police told reporters on Monday.
“Extortion is not a new crime, but it has evolved,” PRP Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich stated, pointing out that the South Asian community has become a key target for such violence.
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“The community deserves to live without fear and being victimized,” Duraiappah remarked.
Authorities report that businesses such as restaurants and trucking companies have been repeatedly targeted after they refused to meet extortion demands. In one instance, officers claim two of those arrested were involved in a shooting and arson at a residence in Caledon, Ont., followed by another shooting aimed at a business in Brampton.
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Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you’ll never miss the day’s top stories. “Their business model was based on fear; their tools were violence; and their target was our community,” Milinovich said. Seventeen men have been arrested following a major extortion investigation in Peel Region. Peel Regional Police According to federal statistics, cases of extortion across Canada have surged more than 500 percent over the past ten years. The PRP noted there were 476 instances of extortion reported in the region in 2025. This year, PRP launched a task force dedicated to tackling extortion that has already laid nearly 500 charges so far, according to Duraiappah. More on Crime More videos Story continues below The suspects are believed to be linked to a gang called For Brothers that operated mainly out of Brampton, Caledon, and Mississauga. However, Duraiappah emphasized that this investigation extends beyond Peel’s borders with connections reaching British Columbia as well as into the United States and India. “This investigation is far beyond Peel; it has ties to British Columbia as well as the United States and India,” he mentioned while noting that one suspect is connected to an attempted homicide case back in India. Totaling up all findings, investigators claim these men are associated with 24 different cases of extortion involving 16 violent incidents like arson and shootings. During this probe, authorities also confiscated six firearms along with illicit drugs, cellphones, SIM cards, and fake IDs. The police informed that six of those arrested have been taken into custody by Canada Border Services Agency due to immigration issues. Of those detained individuals, three have been deported from Canada while two remain held captive and one was released under specific conditions. An additional six may also face immigration proceedings once their criminal matters are resolved. Erin O’Gorman, president of CBSA stated that as of May 7th this year they’ve initiated 446 immigration investigations resulting in issuing 118 removal orders alongside deporting 55 individuals linked with extortion crimes. Over half of these investigations pertain specifically to the Greater Toronto Area. O’Gorman expects these figures will rise given recent changes made by Bill C-12 which tightens immigration policies across the country. Story continues below The PRP mentioned that their inquiry remains active with expectations for more arrests soon.© 2026 , a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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