Calgary police have released photographs of 15 men charged in connection with a series of alleged extortion cases targeting members of the city’s South Asian community.
The Calgary Police Service says 16 people have been charged with a combined 56 offences as part of the investigations. Police said one accused remains in custody, while the others have been released on bail.
According to investigators, most of those charged are Indian nationals of Punjabi origin who were living in Canada on student or work permits. Police said none of the accused are Canadian citizens.
The charges are connected to a broader investigation into alleged extortion schemes involving threats, intimidation and violence. Police have identified 49 extortion-related incidents across Calgary, including 19 shootings.
Investigators allege criminal networks used shootings targeting homes and vehicles, along with other threats, to pressure victims into making payments.
Police also believe some suspects may have used aliases or false identities, making it more difficult for investigators to establish their activities and connections.
Superintendent Jeff Bell said the decision to publicly release the photographs is intended to generate additional information about the accused, including their associates, places they frequent and any other names they may have used.
“These incidents are often co-ordinated and involve networks of individuals,” Bell said, urging members of the public to provide information that could assist the investigation.
Bell also expressed concern that most of the accused have been released on bail. He acknowledged, however, that bail decisions are made by the courts after considering submissions from prosecutors and defence lawyers.
Police say similar patterns of extortion involving threats and violence have emerged in several Canadian cities with significant South Asian populations.
Investigators are continuing to seek information from the public, particularly members of Calgary’s South Asian community, as they work to identify potential associates and determine the full scope of the alleged network.
Those charged include Ravjot Toor, 20; Germanjeet Singh, 22; Jaskaran Singh, 21; Karanbir Singh, 21; Amandeep Singh, 21; Anurag Sidhu, 21; Ishandeep Singh, 19; Amandeep Mallhi, 39; Sandeep Singh, 32; Daksh Gautam, 25; Akashdeep Singh, 19; Gagandeep Singh, 29; Pardeep Singh, 24; Taranveer Singh, 24; and Gurkaran Dhaliwal, 21.
