Toronto: Peel Regional Police has claimed a major breakthrough after arresting 17 people of Punjabi origin allegedly linked to an organised criminal network involved in extortion, shootings and arson attacks targeting South Asian business owners in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Police said the gang, known as the “For Brothers” group, carried out multiple violent incidents against restaurants, trucking companies and other businesses in Brampton, Mississauga, Caledon and parts of British Columbia. Investigators also revealed that the network had links extending to California.
According to police, the group allegedly intimidated local business owners and extorted large sums of money through threats and violence.
The investigation began in December 2025 as a Joint Forces Operation involving Peel Regional Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Canada Border Services Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).
Police said the 17 accused were linked to 24 criminal incidents, including 16 violent offences. Authorities alleged the gang was responsible for several arson and shooting attacks in which 324 rounds of ammunition were fired.
In one incident, two suspects allegedly opened fire at a residential property in Caledon before setting the house ablaze. Minutes later, another shooting targeted a business establishment in Brampton.
Police have registered a total of 106 criminal charges against the accused. During the investigation, officers seized six firearms, narcotics, multiple mobile phones, SIM cards and fake identity documents.
Authorities further stated that six of the arrested individuals could face deportation proceedings. Meanwhile, the Canada Border Services Agency has detained six additional people for alleged immigration violations. Of them, three have already been deported from Canada, two remain in custody and one has been released under conditions.
