Edmonton police seek extradition as leader accused in arson extortion scheme arrested in U.A.E.
Posted January 21, 2025 4:27 pm.
Edmonton police say they have completed their investigation series into the extortion series known as Project Gaslight.
Maninder Singh Dhaliwal, 35, who is believed to be the leader of the criminal organization responsible for the series of extortions was arrested in in the United Arab Emirates on separate criminal charges in late 2024. Police had issued a Canada-wide warrant for his arrest six months ago.
On Tuesday, the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service filed an indictment. Criminal charges resulting from EPS’ Project Gaslight will proceed to trial at the Alberta Court of King’s Bench.
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“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 Inspector Duane Hunter, with the EPS Organized Crime Branch.
“This outcome shows criminals that international borders will not protect them, and we will not tolerate this kind of violence in our community, no matter where it originates from.”
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Several people including Dhaliwal have been arrested in connection to Project Gaslight — Jashandeep Kaur, 20; Gurkaran Singh, 20; Manav Heer, 19; Parminder Singh, 21; Divnoor Asht, 19, and a man who was 17 at the time of the offences.
They are facing a total of 54 charges. The charges include extortion, arson, intentionally discharging a firearm, breaking and entering, assault with a weapon, as well as a number of charges linked to committing an offence for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organization.
Edmonton police investigated 40 incidents related to the extortion series. No new incidents have been reported since the last arson occurred on July 26, 2024.
