Daijiworld Media Network – Toronto

Toronto, Jun 17: In a major crackdown, Peel Regional Police in Ontario have arrested 18 individuals most of them believed to be of Indian origin and seized assets worth over 4.2 million Canadian dollars, following the dismantling of a criminal network linked to the towing industry.

The arrests were made as part of Project Outsource, a multi-agency joint operation launched in July 2024 to investigate widespread extortion and violence tied to towing operations. The investigation exposed two interconnected groups—one involved in violent extortion and the other in fraudulent towing practices.

As of June 10, the arrested include 37-year-old Haleh Javady Torabi from King City and 17 men from Brampton, whose names suggest Indian heritage. Those arrested include Inderjit Dhami, Paritosh Chopra, Gurbinder Singh, Kulwinder and Parminder Puri, Inderjit Bal, Varun Aul, Ketan Chopra, and others aged between 21 and 38.

The accused face a staggering 97 criminal charges, including extortion, fraud, firearms offences, and operating a criminal organisation. Notably, nearly half of them were already on some form of judicial release at the time of their arrest.

Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah raised serious concerns about repeat offenders and bail reform, while Solicitor General Michael S. Kerzner said the crackdown sends a strong message that violent and fraudulent networks will be taken down.

The group is linked to towing firms Certified Roadside and Humble Roadside, accused of staging collisions and intimidating rivals through threats and firearms.

This operation was conducted jointly with Peel Regional Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Halton, York, and Toronto police departments. York Police Superintendent Sony Dosanjh stressed the need for unified law enforcement efforts, especially as violent extortion cases targeting South Asian business owners have risen sharply in Peel Region in recent years.