THE Edmonton Police Service (EPS) announced on Thursday that it has arrested Safaldeep Singh, who has suspected ties to an international criminal network known to target South Asian business owners and community members across Canada.

On May 4, EPS Patrol officers conducted a traffic stop on a Dodge Charger following reports of dangerous driving. A search of the vehicle incident to arrest led to the seizure of controlled substances and a loaded firearm. The three occupants, Safaldeep Singh, 22, Sandeep Singh, 28, and Divianshu Divianshu, 22, were arrested and charged with several drug trafficking and firearms related offences.

Safaldeep Singh has suspected ties to the “For Brothers” gang, an organized criminal network linked to shootings and extortion which targeted South Asian business owners and community members across the Greater Toronto Area, Canada and the United States.

Two search warrants conducted at Safaldeep Singh’s residence on May 28 and June 23 resulted in the seizure of evidence consistent with vehicle re-vinning operations linked to extortion-related crimes. On June 23, Safaldeep Singh was apprehended and charged with trafficking in property obtained by crime, possession of stolen property and unauthorized possession of a firearm. He was also arrested on Canada-wide warrants originating in Ontario for conspiracy to commit murder and extortion.

After Safaldeep Singh was processed on the EPS charges in Edmonton, he was transferred to Ontario to face the charges on his Canada-wide warrants.

“We’ve been investigating extortion networks and their multi-jurisdictional linkages in Canada for some time now, and we have established a coordinated approach with a focus on effective intelligence collection, sharing, and enforcement action across provinces,” says Staff-Sgt. Eric Stewart, EPS Investigations Branch. “In this investigation, we’re especially grateful to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Peel Regional Police for their close collaboration, which led to Singh’s arrest and the connection to violent occurrences on the other side of the country.”

“Extortion and targeted violence have had a profound impact on victims, families, and businesses, particularly within the South Asian community. Bringing those responsible to justice requires seamless collaboration across jurisdictions, and this investigation is a testament to what can be achieved when police services and our law enforcement partners work together toward a common goal. We thank the Edmonton Police Service for their exceptional collaboration and remain committed to pursuing those who seek to intimidate and harm our communities,” said Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich.

“The CBSA collaborates closely with law enforcement partners to combat extortion-related crimes,” said Janalee Bell-Boychuk, Regional Director General of the CBSA Prairie Region. “Individuals who harm our communities and exploit our immigration laws are being held accountable for their actions.”

This investigation is part of Project Insight, the newest iteration of the EPS’ framework for investigating South Asian extortions in Edmonton. Project Insight is a strategic response to the increasingly complex and resource-heavy nature of these investigations. A core component of this framework is enhanced real-time intelligence sharing, ensuring a unified and timely response to threats that span jurisdictions.

Police urge anyone who is targeted by extortion attempts, which typically involve threats or demands to make payment using messaging platforms like WhatsApp, to take the following steps:

• Do not respond to the threatening communication.
• Preserve evidence by taking screen shots of incoming calls or messages.
• Contact police immediately.
• If you are concerned for your immediate safety, find a safe place to stay, such as a friend or family member’s home, until police can reach you.

The EPS says it takes reports of extortion very seriously, and is asking anyone with information regarding the accused, or extortion crimes affecting the South Asian community, to contact police at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.