Canadian Police Arrest 17 Indian-Origin Men in Major Cross-Border Extortion Network Crackdown

Canadian authorities have arrested 17 individuals, believed to be of Indian origin, in a major international crackdown on an organised extortion and violent crime network operating across Canada and the United States.

The operation was led by the Peel Regional Police through its Extortion Task Force, which said it dismantled a coordinated campaign of intimidation, threats, and escalating violence targeting South Asian business owners and community members. The investigation began in December 2025 as a joint probe involving Canadian agencies along with the FBI , Ontario Provincial Police, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and financial intelligence units.

Police confirmed arrests were carried out in April 2026 after coordinated search operations across Ontario, British Columbia, and the United States. The accused are linked to an international criminal network known as For Brothers , which allegedly operated in Brampton, Mississauga, Caledon, British Columbia, and extended into California.

Investigators connected the group to 24 criminal incidents , including 16 violent attacks involving shootings and arson , with reports indicating hundreds of rounds fired in multiple incidents. Victims included business owners such as restaurant operators and trucking companies who were allegedly targeted with repeated extortion demands, with violence used to enforce compliance.

Authorities said the 17 accused collectively face around 106 criminal charges , including extortion, firearms offences, arson, and participation in organised criminal activity.

During the investigation, police seized six firearms, illicit drugs, multiple mobile phones, SIM cards, and fraudulent identity documents . Officials also said six of the accused may face immigration consequences, including possible removal from Canada once criminal proceedings conclude. The Canada Border Services Agency has also intensified enforcement actions in related cases, including detention and deportation proceedings.

Police said the investigation remains active, with further arrests possible as evidence continues to be reviewed. Authorities also noted a broader pattern of rising extortion cases targeting South Asian communities in Canada, particularly in Peel Region and Surrey, with criminals reportedly using threats, spoofed calls, and social media intimidation to extort money.

The arrested individuals include Iqbal Singh Bhagria, Akashdeep Singh, Ravinder Singh, Jashanbir Singh, Dilawarpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Prabhdeep Sohal, Partapbir Ghuman, Ajaydeep Singh, Navroop Singh, Rajan Singh, Amritjot Singh, Jashanpreet Singh, Guneet Guneet, Sukhwinder Singh, Mohinder Singh, and Gautam.