Brampton, Canada, 29 October 2024— Police have arrested five persons of Punjabi descent, including a mother and her two sons, on charges of arms and drug smuggling.
The Peel Regional Police said that the arrested suspects are Narinder Kaur Nagra, 61, along with her sons Navdeep Nagra, 20, and Ravneet Nagra, 22, as well as Ranveer Araich, 20, and Pavneet Nahal, 21. Together, they face approximately 160 charges related to various violations.
The investigation commenced in July when traffic police discovered a firearm in the possession of a 20-year-old man. This discovery prompted a deeper inquiry into the group’s suspected involvement in drug trafficking within the Peel Region and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Between July and September, officers from the Specialized Enforcement Bureau initiated ‘Project Sledgehammer’ to target this alleged criminal organization. In September, a coordinated effort involving the Peel Regional Police, Waterloo Regional Police, York Regional Police, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) resulted in five residential search warrants across the GTA.
This operation led to the arrest of the five suspects, the seizure of 11 firearms, 32 prohibited magazines, over 900 rounds of ammunition, and 53 Glock selector switches, along with a significant quantity of drugs.
“The widespread availability of illegal firearms poses a grave threat to community safety. Violent offenders are exploiting this access, creating a dangerous cycle of crime that endangers every resident,” said Chief Nishan Duraiappah.
“We are committed to disrupting and dismantling these criminal networks and have deployed substantial resources to tackle this issue.”
Chief Duraiappah also noted the department’s achievements in 2024, noting, “We have recorded unprecedented success, with significant investigations, arrests, and charges related to violent crimes. I extend my deepest appreciation to our officers for their unwavering dedication and exceptional work throughout this investigation.”
