Edmonton police warn South Asian community of extortion resurgence

Edmonton Police Service is hoping to build inroads with the South Asian community after an alleged resurgence of fresh extortions across the city. 

At a town hall in the Southwood Community League Monday night, police gave an update on six new instances of extortion reported since May.

Police said they are using lessons learned during Project Gaslight, a year-long investigation into threats, arsons and shootings targeting South Asian home builders in Edmonton that wrapped up in summer 2024, to combat the resurgence.

Interim police Chief Warren Driechel said this new investigation is considered distinct, but shares similarities with Project Gaslight. 

"They're very similar activity," he said.

Driechel said one of the biggest lessons during Project Gaslight was to engage the community faster.

"Part of today was us… asking for that information to ensure that if there's things we don't know, that we get that information," he told the crowd.

He said it is common for those coming forward with information to worry they will be targeted, which is why police want to help people feel safe and foster trust.

Sunny Johal attended the town hall because he said the violence happening in the South Asian community hits close to home.

"There's so much that has happened and so many Edmontonians have been impacted," Johal said.

"People will report these incidents to EPS, but… results don't happen overnight. So these townhalls help in understanding the process that EPS has been taking."

Jaspreet Kakra told CBC News that many in the community still feel unsafe and are even hiring private security.

"There's usually select times that we are out and about and we have to make sure that we're looking behind our shoulder half the time," Kakra said.

She hopes police work beyond this investigation to foster trust with the South Asian community.

"I think it's going to take more than a townhall to address these issues," Kakra said.

Previously, police have said the recent extortions are believed to be linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Premiers in Alberta and B.C. have called on the federal government to designate the group a terrorist organization.

Police warned members of the South Asian community to be on the watch for suspicious activity from youth, alleging that Project Gaslight ringleaders recruited young people to commit crimes. 

"Youth feel alienated and sometimes and they're looking for a group to belong," Supt. Robinder Gill told the crowd.

He said one of the key areas for prevention is for family to watch for activity from youth such as a sudden influx in cash, feeling they don't belong, or lying about who they spend time with.