Seventeen individuals are facing over 100 charges following an investigation into a series of violent extortion incidents that mainly affected South Asian businesses in the Greater Toronto Area, according to Peel police.
A collaborative effort involving provincial, federal, and U. S. authorities started last December and “dismantled a coordinated campaign of intimidation, threats, and escalating violence used to extort local businesses.”
Police reported that several establishments, including restaurants and trucking companies, were repeatedly targeted after they refused to meet extortion demands.
In one case, officers allege two suspects executed a shooting and arson at a residence in Caledon, followed shortly by another shooting aimed at a business in Brampton.
Investigators have connected the 17 suspects to 24 incidents overall, including 16 associated with For Brothers, an international crime syndicate focusing on South Asian business owners and community members in Canada and the United States.
Authorities believe that the criminal network involved in attacks against the South Asian community in Peel Region has also been active in British Columbia and has connections to California.
“Extortion is not confined to one region but connected both nationally and internationally. Addressing it requires strong cross-border collaboration and intelligence-sharing among agencies,” Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said in a statement.
“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.”
The majority of those arrested are from Ontario; two hail from British Columbia while one is from California. The group faces a total of 106 charges.
Police indicated that six individuals charged during this investigation might face immigration consequences, including possible removal from Canada once their legal cases conclude.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has separately detained six individuals for issues related to immigration inadmissibility.
Of those apprehended by the CBSA, three have been removed from Canada; two remain in custody with the agency while one was released by the Immigration and Refugee Board under conditions, according to police.
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