Update: EITF Cracks Down on Extortion in Brampton and Mississauga: Multiple Arrests, Firearms Seized

Investigators from the Peel Regional Police Extortion Investigative Task Force (EITF) have made multiple arrests and seized four firearms in connection to recent extortion-related incidents occurring in Brampton and Mississauga, targeting the South Asian business community.

The EITF continues to work closely with law enforcement partners across Canada to investigate these incidents. Anyone who receives a demand for money under the threat of violence is urged not to make any form of payment and to call the police immediately. These incidents can be reported to the Peel Regional Police EITF at 1-866-966-0616.

Most recently, the EITF has arrested five additional suspects, seized four firearms, and laid multiple charges. These threats have all included demands for large sums of money under the threat of violence.

Bandhumaan Sekhon, a 27-year-old from British Columbia, was arrested on August 19, 2024, for an incident that occurred in January of 2024. He was charged with the following;

• 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

• Possess Firearm with altered Serial Number

He was held in custody for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton and has since been released with court-imposed conditions.

Harmanjit Singh, a 25-year-old from Brampton, was arrested on July 4, 2024, for an incident that occurred in May of 2024. He was charged with the following;

• Extortion

• Utter Threat to Cause Bodily Harm or Death

• Point Firearm

• Assault with a Weapon

• Obstruct Peace Officer

He was held in custody for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton and has since been released with court-imposed conditions.

Tejinder Tatla, a 44-year-old from Brampton, was arrested on July 25, 2024, for threats that were made toward a business owner and his family members in June of 2024. A search warrant led to the seizure of 3 firearms during this investigation. He has been charged with the following;

• Extortion

• Unsafe Storage

He was held in custody for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton and has since been released with court-imposed conditions.

Rukhsar Achakzai, a 21-year-old from Brampton, was arrested on July 30, 2024, for incidents dating back to September 2023. She was charged with the following;

• Extortion

• Mischief under $5000.00

She was held in custody for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton and has since been released with court-imposed conditions.

Dinesh Kumar, a 24-year-old from Hamilton, was arrested on August 14, 2024, for an incident that occurred in July of 2024. He was charged with the following;

• Extortion

He 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.

To date, the EITF has investigated over 60 incidents, made 21 arrests, and laid 154 criminal charges. These investigations have also led to the seizure of 20 firearms, over 11kg of methamphetamines, over $10,000 in proceeds of crime, and the recovery of 6 stolen vehicles.

Anyone with information or who is a victim of an extortion related offence, is asked to contact the Extortion Investigative Task Force at 1-866-966-0616, by email at [email protected] or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.