Edmonton Police Apply to Extradite Suspected Leader of Criminal Organization Wanted in String of Arsons, Extortions

The remnants of a newly built home that was burned down and is under investigation of arson in Edmonton on Jan. 5, 2024. The Canadian Press/Jason Franson

Edmonton police say a man they’ve been looking for in connection with a string of crimes in that city has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The arrest follows an Edmonton Police Service (EPS) investigation into a series of crimes targeting the South Asian business community, dubbed “Project Gaslight.”

EPS investigated 40 incidents related to extortion in that city, and there were similar investigations in other Canadian cities.

As a result of the investigation, a Canada-wide warrant was issued for Maninder Singh Dhaliwal, 35, who police believe was the leader of the criminal organization behind the extortions.

Edmonton police say they've applied to have Maninder Singh Dhaliwal sent to Canada, after he was arrested in the United Arab Emirates in 2024. Edmonton Police Service Handout Photo

EPS said he was arrested in the UAE in late 2024.

Police have applied to have him extradited back to Canada.

“This investigation has been a massive effort on the part of EPS investigators, with never-before seen complexities involving international coordination, and we are very pleased to see it conclude with the request for the extradition of Dhaliwal,” said EPS Inspector Duane Hunter.

However, Canada does not have a treaty with the UAE, so it’s not clear whether Dhaliwal will be sent back to face his charges.

Six others were arrested last year in connection with the crimes, including Jashandeep Kaur, 20, Gurkaran Singh, 20, Manav Heer, 19, Parminder Singh, 21, Divnoor Asht, 19, and a male who was 17 at the time of the offences.

They were arrested on July 25, 2024.

EPS said a total of 54 charges have been laid. These include extortion, arson, intentionally discharging a firearm, break and enter, and assault with a weapon. Other charges are linked to committing an offence for the benefit of, or at the direction of, a criminal organization.

No new incidents have been reported since July 2024, police said.

“From the standpoint of sheer volume of information our investigators reviewed, this was likely one of the largest investigations in the history of the EPS, resulting in substantial charges for all accused,” Acting Inspector David Paton said in a July 26, 2024, news release.

He said they believed the individuals who have been charged were the core members of a criminal network.

“However, we know Dhaliwal is actively recruiting other young people and we want parents, specifically from the South Asian community, to be aware and to have conversations with their young adults about the extortions and arsons that have been taking place.”

Alberta Crown Prosecution Service filed an indictment on Jan. 21, according to EPS.

Canada-Wide Investigations

Extortions targeted “affluent” members of the South Asian community in Edmonton, as well as in B.C. and Ontario, according to police.

Officials said that the crimes were planned in India, and were committed by people in Canada.

Victims would receive a WhatsApp message demanding “significant” sums of money in return for safety, police have said. Victims in B.C. cities reported receiving letters or phone calls in addition to social media messages.

Homebuilders were primary targets as they were seen as wealthy and able to pay, according to police.

Some victims who refused to pay had their businesses targeted with gunfire.

The RCMP set up a national team to coordinate investigations and share information to help solve the crimes.

Jennifer Cowan and The Canadian Press contributed to this report.