December 11, 2024
Investigative update on the Extortion Investigative Task Force
VIDEO
Region of Peel- 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 taskforce@peelpolice.ca or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
For media inquiries, please contact the on-duty Public Information Officer at (905) 453-2121, ext. 4027.
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N/R: 24-227
Inc: PR240203225, PR240204389, PR240224948, PR240233944, PR240031456
Peel Regional Police – https://www.peelpolice.ca//modules/news/index.aspx?newsId=9f6f1a19-11fa-4d6c-b88b-5605019bdf04
