Edmonton police investigating new reports of extortion targeting South Asian community
6 incidents, including at least 1 arson, reported since early June
Edmonton police are looking into a new round of threats and extortion attempts against members of the city's South Asian community.
Six incidents, including at least one arson, have been reported since early June, according to interim Edmonton police Chief Devin Laforce.
It comes nearly a year after arrests in the Project Gaslight investigation put an end to months of fear over threats, followed by arsons and shootings, targeting South Asian home builders in the Edmonton area.
The latest incidents seem to be separate from the Project Gaslight crimes, but there's "some association and some linkages," Laforce said Thursday.
He added that the pattern of extortions is similar, with calls or messages — sometimes over the platform WhatsApp — demanding money.
The investigation is still underway, but police believe the recent extortions are linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
The India-based criminal organization has been in the news recently, with B.C. Premier David Eby and Brampton, Ont., Mayor Patrick Brown calling on the federal government to designate the group a terrorist organization. Alberta's premier and public safety minister issued their own statement in support of the move on Monday.
Laforce said the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) would also like to see that.
"These crimes go across the country," he said.
"And certainly in Alberta, as we're impacted as well, looking at the potential different powers and authorities or investigative techniques that could afford … is certainly something that we're in support of."
Kash Heed, a former West Vancouver police chief and B.C. solicitor-general, said he sees the idea as a "political move" that's unlikely to help.
He said police agencies like EPS, which have made arrests in extortion investigations, are getting results from investigations on the ground. Heed puts more importance on establishing trust and communication with the local community.
"When I look at that, I see no value at this point of announcing Lawrence Bishnoi, giving him an automatic rise in notoriety by labelling him a terrorist organization."
The Bishnoi gang's founder and namesake has been in jail in India for the past decade.
Heed said it's also possible that extortion suspects in Canada are using the infamy of the Bishnoi name without a meaningful link to the organization.
"That's the added part of instilling that fear when you're going after — extorting — South Asian people who have been successful in businesses."
The Bishnoi gang hasn't been publicly mentioned in relation to the Project Gaslight investigation. When one of the young men arrested in that case pleaded guilty this year, court documents indicated some of the alleged players in the extortion scheme were linked to B.C.-based gang Brothers Keepers.
Laforce said EPS is bringing in resources from the Calgary Police Service and the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams for the new extortion investigation. Community liaison constables are also working to connect with people and encourage them to report any concerns.
"When you're dealing with an extortion, they're preying on that fear of violence," he said.
"When you have somebody that's scared, and they're seeing violence that's actually occurring, how can you blame them for being scared?"
He urged people to provide police with information, so they can follow up on it through investigation and "build in that public safety that's needed by actually holding these people accountable."
EPS is holding a town hall at the Southwood Community Hall on July 28 to give an update on the investigation and address community concerns.
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With files from Scott Stevenson
