Canadian police have broken a major extortion network after arresting 17 Punjabi-origin young men, linked to a group called “Four Brothers”, which was involved in shootings, arson attacks and threats targeting South Asian business owners across parts of Canada and the United States.
17 Accused in Peel Police Extortion Network Investigation Were Not Canadian Citizens
— Toronto Crime Watch (@CrimewatchTO) May 25, 2026
Peel Regional Police say 17 men who are not Canadian citizens have been arrested in connection with an alleged international criminal network known as “For Brothers,” accused of targeting… pic.twitter.com/h6IPYBe4BH
The network spread across Canada and linked to California
The operation was mainly active in Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon in the Greater Toronto Area, but investigators also found links reaching British Columbia and California in the US. Police said the group targeted restaurants, trucking companies and other businesses, demanding money and using violence and fear against those who refused to pay.
The investigation started in December 2025 and was carried out jointly by Peel Regional Police, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the FBI and FINTRAC.
24 incidents linked to the group
Police connected the 17 accused to 24 incidents, including 16 violent attacks linked to the “Four Brothers” network. Investigators said these incidents included shootings, arson attacks and repeated threats against business owners and their families. In total, 324 rounds were fired during these attacks.
In one case, two suspects were involved in a shooting and arson at a house in Caledon, and just minutes later, another shooting took place at a business in Brampton.
106 charges filed, weapons and fake IDs seized
Search operations carried out in April 2026 led to the arrests. The accused, aged between 21 and 32, face a combined total of 106 criminal charges.
During the raids, police recovered six firearms, illegal drugs, several mobile phones, SIM cards and fake identity documents.
The arrested men 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 Gautam. Most of them are from Brampton, while others are from Norval, Surrey, British Columbia, Barrie, and Manteca, California.
Immigration action also underway
Authorities said six of the accused could face immigration action after their criminal cases end. Separately, CBSA detained six people over immigration-related issues. Three have already been deported, two remain in custody, and one was released under conditions.
Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said the case shows that extortion networks are now operating across borders and have created fear within the South Asian community. Police added that the investigation is still ongoing and more arrests may happen in the coming days.
