5 more arrests in Peel extortion incidents targeting South Asian businesses
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The fight against extortion targeting South Asian businesses in Brampton and Mississauga continues to be a high priority for Peel Regional Police, who on Wednesday announced additional arrests along with the seizure of firearms as part of their ongoing investigation.
In late 2023, Peel Region experienced what Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said was a “disturbing trend where business owners became the victim of extortion attempts for large sums of money under the threat of violence.”
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Added Duraiappah: “These incidents deeply impacted victims and their families and were felt throughout our community and communities right across this country.”
Peel police responded by establishing the Extortion Investigative Task Force (EITF), which is comprised of specialized members of the police service.
The task force has investigated more than 60 incidents, made 21 arrests and laid 154 criminal charges. Additionally, the investigations have led to the seizure of 20 firearms, more than 11 kilograms of methamphetamines, more than $10,000 in proceeds of crime and the recovery of six stolen vehicles.
On Wednesday, police announced that the task force has arrested five additional suspects, seized four firearms and laid multiple charges.
Bandhumaan Sekhon, 27, of British Columbia, was arrested on Aug. 19 for an incident in January. He was charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, unauthorized possession of a prohibited device or ammunition, knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm, careless use of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition, possession of property obtained by crime, and possess firearm with altered serial number.
Harmanjit Singh, 25, of Brampton, was arrested on July 4 for an incident in May. He was charged with extortion, utter threat to cause bodily harm or death, point firearm, assault with a weapon and obstruct peace officer.
Tejinder Tatla, 44, of Brampton, was arrested on July 25 for threats that were made toward a business owner and his family members in June. A search warrant led to the seizure of three firearms. He has been charged with extortion and unsafe storage.
Rukhsar Achakzai, 21, of Brampton, was arrested on July 30 for incidents dating back to September 2023. She was charged with extortion and mischief under $5,000.
All four were held in custody for a bail hearing in Brampton and have since been released with court-imposed conditions.
Dinesh Kumar, 24, of Hamilton, was arrested on Aug. 14 for an incident in July. He was charged with extortion and was released from custody with a future court date and conditions to abide by.
“These incidents have included damage to property, threats of violence, and firearm-related offences. Victims of these incidents are often contacted through social media platforms, such as WhatsApp and Facebook, which allow online chat groups,” Peel police said in a news release issued on Wednesday.
Anyone with information or who is a victim of an extortion-related offence, is asked to call the Extortion Investigative Task Force at 1-866-966-0616, email taskforce@peelpolice.ca or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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