Indian National Allegedly Lured, Arrested At Toronto Airport In Extortion Probe

A 23-year-old Indian national was allegedly lured from India to Canada and arrested at Toronto airport after investigators identified his alleged role in an extortion and violence probe, Canadian police said.

Five Indian nationals have been arrested and charged in connection with the investigation, which began after the co-owners of an auto dealership in British Columbia reported receiving what police described as “significant extortion demands”.

The investigation has also uncovered allegations involving firearms, controlled substances, arson and shootings targeting the dealership.

Dealership Targeted In Arson And Shooting Attacks

The Langley detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) began investigating the case in June 2025.

According to police, the auto dealership's Surrey and Langley locations were targeted twice in attacks involving arson and shootings.

“This underscores the serious nature of the threats and the violence associated with this criminal activity,” the Langley RCMP said in a release on Friday.

Investigators subsequently established a dedicated project team and conducted operations across Canada and internationally to identify individuals allegedly involved in the extortion network.

Police said the investigation uncovered alleged links to extortion, trafficking in prohibited firearms and trafficking in controlled substances.

23-Year-Old Arrested After Entering Canada

Among those charged is Sanket Singla, 23, who was in India when investigators allegedly identified his role in the case.

Working with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and international RCMP liaison officers, investigators conducted what police described as a “controlled operation”.

The operation resulted in Singla entering Canada, after which he was arrested at Toronto airport on October 1.

The unusual cross-border operation allowed investigators to bring Singla into Canadian jurisdiction before taking him into custody, according to police.

Four Others Arrested In Surrey

Four other accused were arrested in Surrey and remain in custody, police said.

They were identified as:

• Sahil, 24, Surrey resident
• Simranjeet Singh, 24, Surrey resident
• Harsh, 21, Surrey resident
• Jagdeep Singh, from Ottawa

The accused face multiple charges, including extortion, recklessly discharging a firearm, causing damage by fire or explosion to property, throwing an explosive substance with intent to destroy or damage property and unauthorised transfer of a prohibited firearm, among other offences.

The allegations have not been tested in court.

Guns, Ammunition And Suspected Drugs Seized

The investigation also led to the seizure of several potentially dangerous items.

According to the RCMP, police recovered:

• Four firearms
• Assorted ammunition and magazines
• Suspected fentanyl
• Suspected cocaine
• Suspected opium

Investigators also obtained evidence relating to the possible involvement of other suspects in alleged extortion and violence across communities in British Columbia and Alberta.

Project E_PURSUANCE

The investigation, codenamed Project E_PURSUANCE, was led by the Langley RCMP as a joint-force operation.

It received significant support from the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia and the RCMP's Federal Policing Pacific Region, through the BC Provincial Extortion Task Force.

Superintendent Harm Dosanje, Officer in Charge of Langley RCMP, thanked the alleged victims for coming forward and supporting the investigation.

“I want to sincerely thank the victims for their courage in coming forward, their support throughout the investigation, and the trust they placed in us to thoroughly investigate this matter and bring it before the courts,” Dosanje said.

The investigation remains ongoing, with police examining evidence concerning other individuals who may have been involved in alleged extortion and violent offences across western Canada.