Peel police say most accused in GTA extortion investigation arrived on student or work permits

Peel Regional Police say most of the 17 Punjabi-origin young men charged in connection with an alleged extortion network in Ontario had arrived in Canada from India on student visas or temporary work permits.

Police said the accused were allegedly linked to the “For Brothers” gang and that investigators have found no connection between the group and the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Authorities said the investigation began in December 2025 and focused on alleged extortion attempts targeting business owners within the Punjabi community across the Greater Toronto Area.

According to police, the investigation involved multiple incidents in which business operators were allegedly threatened or pressured for money. Investigators have not publicly released further details on the specific allegations before the courts. The charges against the accused have not been proven in court.

The Conservative Party of Canada praised Peel police for the arrests and investigation but argued that policing alone cannot address organized international crime linked to extortion activities. The party called on the federal Liberal government to close what it described as legal loopholes that allow extortion suspects to avoid serious consequences.

In a statement, the Conservatives also renewed calls for mandatory minimum prison sentences of at least 10 years in extortion cases connected to organized crime and illegal firearms. The party further repeated its support for proposed “Stand on Guard” legislation aimed at expanding self-defence protections for Canadians facing criminal threats.