Edmonton: The police detectives have arrested six suspects and issued Canada-wide warrants for a seventh in the extortion-related cases. The police have arrested the suspects under Project Gaslight.
According to the Edmonton police, they are now investigating 40 incidents related to the extortion series, with the latest occurring early this morning, Friday, July 26, involving an arson at an apartment building in the Cavanagh neighborhood.
“On Thursday, July 25, the Edmonton Police Service and RCMP officers executed search warrants at six locations in southeast Edmonton relating to Project Gaslight. Police also arrested and charged five males and one female believed to be involved in the extortion scheme that was targeting South Asian business owners in the Edmonton area,” the police said.
The suspects have been identified as Jashandeep Kaur, 19; Gurkaran Singh, 19; Manav Heer, 19; Parminder Singh, 21; Divnoor Asht, 19; and a 17-year-old male. They are all facing a host of serious criminal charges.
Canada-wide warrants have also been issued for Maninder Singh Dhaliwal, 34, who is believed to be the leader of the criminal organization responsible for the extortions, the police said.
“Jointly and individually, the seven accused are facing a total of 54 charges, including extortion, arson, intentionally discharging a firearm, break and enter, assault with a weapon, as well as a number of charges linked to committing an offence for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organization,” the Edmonton Police Service said.