Criminal network tied to towing industry used violence, extortion: Peel police
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Peel Regional Police say they shut down an alleged tow truck organized crime ring that used violence, extortion and intimidation.
Chief Nishan Duraiappah said the investigation started with the Extortion Task Force, alleging it culminated in a major criminal takedown.
“The nature of the extortions vacillate through shooting, firearms, to threats via What’s App messaging or phone calls, right down to arsons,” said Duraiappah. “We have seen the full range.”
As Duraiappah spoke, he stood encircled in a police lock-up yard by $4.2. million worth of high-end vehicles — including an orange Lamborghini SUV worth $280,000, and a green Mercedes G-Wagon worth close to $500,000 — allegedly used by the kingpins of the crew, along with all the tow trucks.
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Police said the seizure of 18 tow trucks totalled $2.8 million and that officers targeted the Certified Roadside and Humble Roadside towing companies. Officers arrested 18 suspects, and seized a small cache of weapons, including a crossbow, a Taser, baseball bats, $45,000 in cash and two bullet proof vests — one sporting a front patch identifier that read “Police.”
Det.-Sgt. Brian Lorette, of the Extortion Investigative Task Force, said their investigation started with extortion cases dating to July 2024. He alleged criminals staged dozens of vehicle collisions for insurance fraud purposes.
Police also alleged that thugs used intimidation and violence which was directed at the South Asian business community back in 2023 and towards local tow truck operators in Peel.
“Our investigators identified a specific Brampton-based group believed to be behind a significant proportion of these crimes,” alleged Lorette. “As well, as offences in the towing industry.”
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He added the investigation, which focused on the towing industry in Brampton and Mississauga, allowed police to “target a group and disrupt and dismantle its operations.”
Lorette said the group was involved in “extortions, firearms-related offences and frauds and other property related crimes.”
“We believe the guns and tow trucks seized during this investigation — as well as the arrests made — will have a significant impact on our region,” said Lorette. “As well as across the GTA and throughout Canada.”
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown thanked police who executed 67 arrest warrants in the GTA.
“I remember when we started to hear about extortions, it was terrifying, terrifying in the community,” said Brown.
“We had a round table with community, town halls. And everybody was scared, they heard about these incidents,“ said Brown. “And there was a real concern that we were only hearing the tip of the iceberg.”
“That there was more and more of these very dangerous extortions happening.”
Paritosh Chopra, 32, and Inderjit Dhami, 38 — both of Brampton — were charged with participation in a criminal organization and instructing commission of an offence for a criminal organization.
Chopra faces additional charges of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and four charges of fraud over $5,000, while Dhami faces additional charges of extortion, pointing a firearm and commission of an offence for criminal organization.
All in all, 97 charges have been laid against suspects, including Brampton residents: Varun Aul, 31; Inderjit Bal, 29; Gurbinder Singh, 28; Kulwinder Puri, 25; Parminder Puri, 31; Ketan Chopra, 30; Norman Tazehkand, 32; Pawandeep Singh, 25; Dipanshu Garg, 24; Rahul Verma, 27; Karan Boparai, 26; Mankirat Boparai, 22; Simar Boparai, 21; Jovan Singh, 23; Abhinav Bhardwaj, 25. Haleh Javady Torabi, 37, of King City, has also been charged.
The allegations against the suspects have not been tested in court.
Police said of the 18 arrested, 15 were held for bail and seven have “been processed by the courts.” Of the latter seven, the courts have released six on bail and one has been held in custody.
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