Canada Extortion Case: Five Indians Arrested, One Lured

Five Indian nationals have been arrested and charged in Canada in connection with an alleged extortion and violence case involving arson and shootings at an auto dealership in British Columbia, police said. One of the accused, 23-year-old Sanket Singla, was identified by investigators while he was in India and was arrested at Toronto airport on October 1 after being brought to Canada as part of a controlled police operation.

The investigation began in June 2025 after co-owners of an auto dealership in Langley reported receiving what they described as significant extortion demands. The business was subsequently targeted in two attacks involving arson and shootings at its locations in Surrey and Langley. The Langley detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the attacks highlighted the serious nature of the threats and violence linked to the alleged criminal activity.

Investigators formed a dedicated project team and conducted operations across Canada and internationally to identify those allegedly involved. Police said the investigation uncovered suspected links to extortion, trafficking of prohibited firearms and trafficking of controlled substances. Singla was identified as one of the suspects while he was in India, following which investigators worked with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency and RCMP liaison officers internationally.

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Police said a controlled operation was carried out to facilitate Singla's entry into Canada, leading to his arrest at Toronto airport. The other four accused were arrested in Surrey and remain in custody. They were identified as Sahil, 24, Simranjeet Singh, 24, and Harsh, 21, all residents of Surrey, along with Jagdeep Singh, who is from Ottawa.

The charges include extortion, recklessly discharging a firearm, causing damage by fire or explosion to property, throwing an explosive substance with intent to destroy or damage property and unauthorised transfer of a prohibited firearm, among other offences. Investigators also seized four firearms, ammunition and magazines, along with suspected fentanyl, cocaine and opium. Police said evidence indicated possible involvement of other suspects in extortion and violence across communities in British Columbia and Alberta.

The investigation, known as Project E_PURSUANCE, was led by the Langley RCMP with support from the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia and the RCMP's Federal Policing Pacific Region through the BC Provincial Extortion Task Force. Superintendent Harm Dosanje, Officer in Charge of Langley RCMP, thanked the victims for coming forward and supporting the investigation, saying the case had now been brought before the courts.

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