Two dozen charges laid against 5 people in Peel region extortion investigations

A month after launching its Extortion Investigative Task Force, Peel Regional Police say dozens of charges have been laid in connection to a number of cases targeting the South Asian community. Faiza Amin reports.

Five people have been charged by Peel Region’s Extortion Investigative Task Force in connection with a series of incidents throughout the GTA including mischief to property, threats, and firearms-related offences.

Peel police say four people were arrested and charged in connection with an incident involving a Caledon business owner in Dec. 2023 and Jan. 2024. On Jan. 24, 2024, 23-year-old Gagan Ajit Singh, 23-year-old Anmoldeep Singh, 25-year-old Hashmeet Kaur, and 21-year-old Iymanjot Kaur were arrested following the search of a Brampton home. The three men and one woman face a total of 23 charges including extortion, uttering death threats, arson as well as fraud, and firearm offenses.

On Jan. 25, 2024, police arrested 39-year-old Arundeep Thind of no fixed address after a 32-year-old claimed to have received a phone call and threatening messages on WhatsApp demanding large sums of money.

Police say they are currently investigating 29 reported incidents of extortion in Peel region dating back to November 2023. Nine of the incidents have involved shootings with multiple rounds being fired at businesses, although no injuries have been reported. Investigators say the businesses being victimized are South Asian restaurants and bakeries, trucking and transport, independent used car dealerships, and jewellery stores.

Police say victims are typically contacted through social media platforms and payment in Canadian or Indian currency is demanded under threats of violence.

“We have heard the community and hear the fear in our South Asian community and the business community. This not only affects the businesses but their owners and families… and it is absolutely our responsibility to respond and end this trend,” said Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah, who urged business and community leaders to come forward if they have been similarly threatened.

“Anyone targeting this community will not be tolerated at all.”

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said the alleged extortion threats have had a chilling effect on many in his community. 

“I can’t tell you how harrowing it was to get phone calls in the fall from families that were terrified, business owners that were terrified (and) expressing complete desperation and dismay,” said Brown. 

“This was terrorizing the South Asian community … So today is a day of relief. We have started the process to unravel this.”

Brown said the latest arrests send a clear message that such alleged extortion will not be tolerated.  

Peel police are in touch with police in Alberta and British Columbia, where a similar trend of alleged extortion has been seen, and investigators are also working with law enforcement in India.

Police launched the Extortion Investigative Task Force last December in response to a number of targeted threats towards members of the South Asian business community. Victims are contacted through a variety of social media platforms and demands for money are made under threats of violence.

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