Five foreign nationals arrested in B.C. extortion investigation
The suspects, all in their 20s, face charges including extortion, arson and firearms offences after attacks on an auto dealership.
LANGLEY — Five foreign nationals are in custody facing a string of charges following an RCMP investigation into extortion targeting British Columbia's South Asian community.
Superintendent Harm Dosange of the Langley RCMP said the investigation began in June 2025 when co-owners of an auto dealership reported significant extortion demands.
"He says the extortion demands were followed up by shootings and arsons in Langley and neighbouring Surrey, B.C.," according to CityNews.
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The RCMP said the demands were followed by two targeted attacks on the business's locations in Surrey and Langley.
All five accused are in their 20s and face charges including extortion, damaging property by fire or explosion, throwing an explosive substance, drug trafficking and numerous firearms offences.
Four people were arrested in Surrey, while the fifth, a man named Singla, was arrested at Toronto Pearson International Airport after being flown from India.
"Investigators facilitated a controlled operation that allowed Mr. Singla to enter Canada for the purpose of effecting his arrest," the RCMP said in a news release.
Police said they found it was in the public interest to have him appear before Canadian courts.
At a news conference, Dosange said the project has also resulted in the seizure of firearms and drugs, including what police suspect to be cocaine, fentanyl and opium.
"We'll have more to say [on] that at a later date and time," the superintendent said.
A court document obtained by CBC News provides details police did not share publicly.
It claims Singla and another man, Simranjeet Singh, intentionally or recklessly caused damage "by fire or explosion" to a Mustang vehicle in June 2025.
The document also alleges the two threw Molotov cocktails into the auto shop with intent to destroy or damage property.
Singla, along with men named Sahil, Simranjeet Singh, Harsh and Jagdeep Singh, are each charged with intentionally or recklessly causing damage to a Ford van by fire or explosion.
Sahil is also charged with trafficking cocaine, as well as transferring prohibited firearms, including a Kodiak Defence firearm and Glock handgun.
Police were asked if the new charges were related to the India-based Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which has been connected to extortions in the Lower Mainland.
"If there's evidence on the file, that would be something that would then go before the courts. So we wouldn't speak to that," said Chief Superintendent Duncan Pound with B.C.'s extortion task force.
He added that perpetrators will sometimes claim they are connected to high-profile gangs to seem more intimidating to victims.
Dosange said the project's investigators faced unprecedented obstacles in their work across Canada and internationally.
Police are not releasing photos of the suspects, as they are already in custody.
"I know everybody wants more information, it will come … just not right now," said Dosange.
With files from The Canadian Press, CBC News and CityNews