A routine traffic stop in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has led to a key arrest in a widening investigation into extortion and violence targeting members of the city’s Indian community, police say.
Officers from the Calgary Police Service pulled over a vehicle in the city’s north-east on 7 March after observing a traffic violation. The car was quickly identified as matching one linked to an extortion-related shooting days earlier in the Saddleridge area.
Police seized the vehicle and spent weeks analysing evidence gathered at the scene, linking it to a broader pattern of extortion-related shootings across the city.
Nearly a month later, investigators charged 21-year-old Jaskaran Singh with discharging a firearm with intent. Authorities said the arrest forms part of an ongoing probe into organised extortion networks operating within the South Asian community.
“This is a significant win for our investigators and for the community,” Superintendent Jeff Bell said, adding that further arrests are expected as inquiries continue.
The charge marks the second arrest in a week connected to the investigation. Earlier, police charged 45-year-old Rana Cheema with extortion and uttering threats.
Police say extortion-related crime has escalated sharply in Calgary since early 2025, with 41 reported attempts, including 18 shootings targeting homes, businesses and vehicles. No injuries have been reported, but authorities say the incidents have heightened fear within the community.
Chief Constable Katie McLellan said the investigation has revealed links beyond the city, with some suspects allegedly directed from overseas. She also noted that a number of individuals involved are in Canada on temporary visas, including student and work permits.
The investigation is being conducted in collaboration with national agencies, including the Canada Border Services Agency, which has launched hundreds of immigration-related investigations tied to extortion cases. As of mid-March, the agency had opened 372 cases, issued 70 removal orders and carried out 35 deportations.
Police say extortion attempts often involve threats delivered through international phone calls or messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, with victims pressured to make payments. Authorities are urging anyone targeted to avoid responding, preserve evidence and contact police immediately.
Investigators believe the scale and coordination of the activity point to organised criminal networks operating across multiple jurisdictions.
“This isn’t just a Calgary problem,” McLellan said.
Police say the investigation remains a top priority, with further arrests anticipated as officers continue to dismantle the networks behind the violence.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
