Indo-Canadian organized crime has reached a disturbing new level, with nine out of Canada’s 11 most dangerous gangsters being of Punjab origin (as of 2022).
Once seen as small street-level groups, these organizations, ranging fom the Brothers Keepers to the Dhak-Duhre group, have evolved into powerful criminal syndicates with international connections.
But how did they rise to power? What impact do they have on Canadian society and global crime networks?
I'll unpack the history, major players, criminal activities, and international ties of Punjabi gangs in Canada, including their role in Indo-Canadian organized crime.
Key Takeaways:
What is Indo-Canadian organized crime? A network of criminal organizations, primarily composed of Punjabi-Canadian gangs, involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, extortion, and violent crimes across Canada.
Who are the major Punjabi gangs in Canada? Groups like Brothers Keepers, Dhak-Duhre, United Nations Gang, and Independent Soldiers are among the most notorious Indo-Canadian crime syndicates.
What crimes are they involved in? Drug smuggling, contract killings, extortion, arms trafficking, and organized racketeering, often with ties to Mexican cartels and international criminal networks.
How have they impacted Canada? Increased gun violence, gang wars, and cross-border drug operations have led to public safety concerns and strained Canada-India diplomatic relations due to alleged Khalistani extremist ties.
Recent developments? Authorities recently busted one of Canada’s largest drug super labs, dismantling a major Punjabi gang-run operation, highlighting their deep roots in international crime.
The Rise of Indo-Canadian Organized Crime & Punjabi Gangs in Canada
The emergence of Indo-Canadian organized crime can be traced back to the 1980s, when political tensions in Punjab, India, and increased immigration to Canada created an environment for criminal enterprises to thrive.
🔹 How Did Indo-Canadian Organized Crime Begin?
Early 1980s – The Khalistan Movement and Indo-Canadian Migration
The violent struggle for an independent Khalistan in India led to an influx of Sikh immigrants, including a small number of separatists who later engaged in criminal activities to fund their movement.
Some early gangsters, such as Ranjit Dosanjh and Bindy Johal, mixed political ideology with organized crime, using their networks for drug smuggling and targeted assassinations.
1990s – Drug Trade Expansion and Violent Turf Wars
As Asian Triads and outlaw biker gangs (Hells Angels) dominated the Canadian drug trade, Indo-Canadian gangs carved out their own market, using family connections in Punjab and Mexico to smuggle heroin, cocaine, and MDMA.
Infamous figures like Bindy Johal and the Dosanjh Brothers fueled gang wars in BC, leading to public shootouts and assassinations.
2000s–Present – Rise of Sophisticated Syndicates
Gangs like the Brothers Keepers and Dhak-Duhre group took over the drug trade and contract killings, becoming major players in Canada’s underworld.
Increased international alliances with Mexican cartels, Southeast Asian traffickers, and Khalistani separatists further cemented their power.
Why Are Punjabi Gangs So Powerful in Canada?
International Drug Networks: Direct supply chains from Punjab’s heroin production hubs and Mexico’s cartel operations.
Organized Crime Structure: These gangs function like Mafia-style syndicates, with hierarchical leadership, secrecy codes, and brutal enforcement.
Government and Law Enforcement Blind Spots: Many early gang leaders went undetected for years, allowing their organizations to grow unchecked.
Major Punjabi Gangs in Canada: Who’s Running the Underworld?
Over the years, Punjabi gangs in Canada have grown into some of the most violent and well-organized criminal groups in the country.
Here’s a look at the most powerful Indo-Canadian crime syndicates operating today.
🔹 1. Brothers Keepers
✅ Founded: Mid-2010s
✅ Territory: British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario
✅ Criminal Activities: Drug trafficking, extortion, targeted assassinations, organized crime
Overview: One of the most notorious Indo-Canadian gangs, the Brothers Keepers rose to power after the 2017 assassination of their leader, Gavin Grewal. This gang has been at war with the Kang Crime Group and the United Nations gang, leading to multiple shootings in Metro Vancouver.
🚨 Notable Crimes:
Engaged in high-profile murders and shootings, including targeted killings in Surrey and Burnaby.
Extensive cocaine and fentanyl operations linked to Mexican cartels.
Recently expanded into Alberta and Ontario, making them a nationwide criminal force.
2. Dhak-Duhre Group
✅ Founded: 2000s
✅ Territory: British Columbia
✅ Criminal Activities: Drug smuggling, extortion, gang warfare
Overview: Named after leaders Gurmit Dhak and Sandip Duhre, this gang was once a dominant player in Canada’s drug trade. However, internal conflicts and targeted killings have weakened their control, leaving behind a fragmented but still dangerous network.
🚨 Notable Crimes:
2010s: Gurmit Dhak assassinated in a targeted hit.
2012: Sandip Duhre shot dead at Vancouver’s Sheraton Wall Centre.
Multiple gang wars with the Brothers Keepers and the United Nations gang.
3. United Nations Gang
✅ Founded: 1997
✅ Territory: British Columbia, Alberta, U.S. (Seattle, California)
✅ Criminal Activities: International drug trafficking, contract killings, money laundering
Overview: While not exclusively Punjabi, this gang has a significant number of Indo-Canadian members. It is one of the largest transnational criminal groups in Canada, with operations extending into Mexico and the U.S..
🚨 Notable Crimes:
Major supplier of MDMA and cocaine from Asia to North America.
Responsible for multiple high-profile murders and retaliatory killings.
Linked to cartel alliances in Mexico and underground arms networks in the U.S..
4. Independent Soldiers
✅ Founded: 2000s
✅ Territory: British Columbia, Alberta
✅ Criminal Activities: Drug trade, organized crime, contract killings
Overview: Originally formed as a multi-ethnic criminal group, the Independent Soldiers later became heavily Indo-Canadian in leadership. They are known for their alliances with the Hells Angels and the Wolf Pack gang.
🚨 Notable Crimes:
2010s: Several high-ranking members assassinated in gang disputes.
Heavily involved in cross-border drug smuggling operations.
Connected to fentanyl distribution rings in Canada.
🔹 5. Kang Crime Group
✅ Founded: 2010s
✅ Territory: British Columbia
✅ Criminal Activities: Drug trafficking, targeted killings, extortion
Overview: Originally part of the Brothers Keepers, the Kang Crime Group split due to internal power struggles. They are now locked in a violent war with their former gang, leading to multiple public shootings in Metro Vancouver.
🚨 Notable Crimes:
Linked to multiple assassinations of rival gang leaders.
Tied to Mexican cartels for large-scale drug distribution.
Expanded operations into Alberta and Ontario.
6. The Russians
✅ Founded: Early 2000s
✅ Territory: British Columbia
✅ Criminal Activities: Drug trafficking, arms smuggling, money laundering
Overview: Despite their name, The Russians are actually Indo-Canadian gangsters, primarily composed of international students from Punjab. They are known for their brutal enforcement tactics and drug trade connections.
🚨 Notable Crimes:
Heavy involvement in fentanyl smuggling operations.
Money laundering through underground casinos and cryptocurrency networks.
Ties to organized crime syndicates in India and Southeast Asia.
The Violence Epidemic: Gang Wars in Canada
🚨 Recent Gang Shootings in Canada:
2022: Brothers Keepers vs. United Nations Gang – Multiple public shootings in Surrey, Vancouver, and Burnaby.
2023: Kang Crime Group leader shot outside a restaurant in Richmond, BC.
2024: Drug-related execution-style killing in Brampton, Ontario.
Law enforcement struggles to contain these violent outbreaks, as gang members are often released on bail or flee Canada to avoid prosecution.
Drug Trafficking: The Backbone of Indo-Canadian Organized Crime
Indo-Canadian gangs dominate the drug trade in Canada, importing and distributing heroin, MDMA, fentanyl, and cocaine. Their connections to the Golden Crescent (Afghanistan, Pakistan, India) and Mexican cartels allow them to operate on an international scale.
🛑 Drug Seizures Linked to Punjabi Gangs:
April 2021: 10 kg of cocaine, 8 kg of ketamine, 3 kg of heroin, and 2.5 kg of opium seized in Brampton, Ontario.
November 2024: RCMP busts Canada’s largest drug super lab, operated by Indo-Canadian gangsters, seizing millions in fentanyl and MDMA.
2023–2024: CBSA intercepts record-high heroin shipments from Punjab, linked to Canadian-based Punjabi crime syndicates.
How Indo-Canadian Gangs Operate in the Drug Trade:
🔸 Heroin smuggled from Punjab via India’s ports → Shipped to Canada.
🔸 Fentanyl from China → Processed in Vancouver super labs.
🔸 Cocaine from Mexican cartels → Distributed across Canada and the U.S.
International Ties: The Khalistani Separatist Connection
One of the most controversial aspects of Indo-Canadian organized crime is its alleged links to pro-Khalistan extremist groups. Khalistani separatists, who seek an independent Sikh state, have been accused of using gang networks for financial and logistical support.
How Are Punjabi Gangs and Khalistani Extremists Connected?
✔️ Gangs provide money laundering services to Khalistani groups.
✔️ Drug profits finance separatist activities in India and Canada.
✔️ Extremist groups use gang enforcers for assassinations.
Extortions Targeting South Asian Businesses
In 2024, Edmonton police exposed a dangerous extortion racket run by young Punjabi gangsters, arresting six individuals—including a 17-year-old—on charges of arson and assault with weapons.
Dubbed “Project Gaslight,” the investigation has uncovered a violent network terrorizing South Asian businesses, with police linking it to the infamous Brother’s Keepers gang.
Maninder Singh Dhaliwal was believed to be orchestrating the extortion. Months after a Canada-wide warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with Project Gaslight, Dhaliwal was apprehended late 2024 in the United Arab Emirates on different charges.
Edmonton police say they don't know what charges Dhaliwal faces in the Emirates or the status of his case there.
India’s Response
The Indian government has demanded Canada take action against suspected gang members with Khalistani ties, accusing the country of harboring terrorists. In 2023, India released a wanted list of Canadian-based criminals linked to extremism, increasing diplomatic tensions.
Canada’s Response: The Canadian government has downplayed these allegations but continues to investigate links between Punjabi gangs and separatist groups.
RCMP task forces have increased monitoring of cross-border financial transactions, hoping to disrupt terror financing networks.
📌 Notable Cases:
2023: India requests extradition of Indo-Canadian gang leaders accused of funding Khalistani militants.
2024: Canadian authorities uncover money laundering schemes tied to both gangs and separatist organizations.
The Khalistani link remains a major geopolitical issue, affecting India-Canada relations and Canada’s international reputation.
Racial Stereotyping & Stigmatization
The Indo-Canadian community faces increased discrimination due to the actions of a small criminal minority. Many law-abiding Sikh Canadians are frustrated by the negative portrayal of their community, leading to tensions within Canadian society.
🔹 Law Enforcement Challenges: Why Can’t Canada Stop These Gangs?
1️⃣ Bail System and Legal Loopholes
Many gang members are released on bail even after being caught with drugs, firearms, or involved in violent crimes.
Weak sentencing laws allow convicted criminals to serve short prison terms, often returning to crime immediately upon release.
2️⃣ Transnational Operations Make Arrests Difficult
Indo-Canadian gangs operate across borders, making them difficult to prosecute.
Members flee to India, Mexico, or the U.S. when facing legal trouble in Canada.
Extradition requests from Canada to India or vice versa rarely succeed due to political tensions.
3️⃣ Gang Recruitment of Young Indo-Canadians
Many gang recruits are teenagers from Punjabi-Canadian communities, lured by fast money, luxury lifestyles, and social media clout.
The death rate among young Indo-Canadian gangsters is alarmingly high, yet recruitment remains steady.
Schools and community groups struggle to prevent youth from joining gangs due to peer pressure and lack of intervention programs.
4️⃣ Money Laundering & Crypto Transactions
Millions of dollars from drug sales are funneled through real estate, underground casinos, and cryptocurrency.
Canada’s real estate market is a hotbed for money laundering, with gangsters investing in luxury homes and businesses.
Lack of financial oversight has allowed drug money to flow undetected, funding further criminal activities.
Major Crackdowns and Task Forces
Despite challenges, Canadian authorities have taken aggressive action against Indo-Canadian organized crime in recent years.
✅ April 2021 – $2.3M Drug Bust in Ontario
RCMP arrested 28 Indo-Canadian gang members involved in heroin and cocaine smuggling.
Confiscated 48 firearms, 10 kg of cocaine, and $730,000 in cash.
✅ November 2024 – Canada’s Largest Drug Super Lab Shut Down
RCMP discovered a Breaking Bad-style fentanyl and MDMA lab in British Columbia.
Seized millions in street drugs and arrested key Punjabi gang members.
✅ 2023–2024 Extradition Requests
India requested the deportation of several Indo-Canadian gang leaders accused of funding Khalistani separatists.
Canada began investigating money laundering links between Punjabi gangs and extremist groups.
✅ Anti-Gang Task Forces
Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) – Tracking Indo-Canadian gang murders.
CFSEU (Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit) – Targeting high-level drug operations.
RCMP’s Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit – Investigating international money laundering schemes.
Can Canada Win the War Against These Gangs?
❌ Current Outlook: Ongoing Struggles
Gang violence remains high, with public shootings still occurring in Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary.
Young Indo-Canadians continue to join gangs, despite community efforts to intervene.
Money laundering and crypto transactions make it harder to track gang profits.
✔️ What Needs to Change?
🔺 Stronger laws on bail and sentencing for gang-related offenses.
🔺 Better cross-border cooperation with India and Mexico to shut down drug routes.
🔺 Stricter financial oversight to prevent money laundering through real estate.🔺 Community-based prevention programs to keep young people out of gangs.
The fight against Indo-Canadian organized crime is far from over. While Canadian law enforcement has made significant arrests and drug busts, gangs continue to evolve, using new technologies and global networks to stay ahead.
Can Canadian law enforcement adapt to these evolving threats?
Let me know what you think in the comments!
💡 If you have any tips about Vancouver gangs, or Vancouver crimes, contact me or leave a comment.
Stay safe!
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