What to know
- Peel Regional Police arrested 17 individuals in a major investigation into an alleged international extortion network targeting South Asian business owners.
- Police say the group allegedly targeted restaurants and trucking companies with extortion demands, with some incidents escalating to shootings and arson in Brampton and Caledon.
- Investigators have linked the accused to 24 incidents, including 16 violent events, and say 106 charges have been laid in total.
- Authorities also seized firearms, drugs, and fraudulent documents, and say immigration proceedings may apply to several of the accused as the investigation continues.
Peel Regional Police have arrested more than a dozen individuals following the dismantling of an international crime group allegedly targeting members of South Asian businesses and communities.
Police announced the results of the investigation on Monday morning, led by their Extortion Task Force. They say the operation resulted in the arrest of 17 individuals with alleged ties to an international criminal network known as “For Brothers.”
What are they accused of?
According to police, the group allegedly targeted multiple businesses—including restaurants and trucking companies, after they refused to comply with extortion demands.
Investigators say the threats escalated to violent tactics. In one case, two of the accused are alleged to have carried out a shooting and arson at a residential property in Caledon, followed by a separate shooting targeting a business in Brampton.
Police say they have identified 24 incidents connected to the accused, including 16 violent incidents linked to the “For Brothers” network.
During the investigation, officers also seized six firearms, illicit drugs, multiple cellphones, SIM cards, and fraudulent identification documents.
Who was arrested?
Police say the 17 men were arrested following the execution of search warrants at multiple locations. In total, they face 106 charges.
A full list of names, ages, and places of residence is available on the Peel Regional Police website.
Investigators also say six of the individuals may face immigration consequences, including possible removal from Canada once their cases are concluded. Six others have already been detained by the Canada Border Services Agency on immigration-related inadmissibility grounds.
Police say the investigation remains ongoing.
