Police charge four Surrey men as part of huge extortion bust

Four Surrey men have been charged as part of an RCMP operation focused on the extortion crisis.

RCMP announced the results of Project E_PURSUANCE, an investigation that began in June 2025 following an extortion report from the co-owners of an auto dealership. 

This was followed by two targeted attacks on the business involving arson and shootings, at their Surrey and Langley locations, RCMP said. 

As a result of the investigative efforts, five foreign nationals were arrested and charged. On October 1, the BC Prosecution Service laid charges against the following individuals:    

Sanket Singla, 23–year-old, from India, who has been charged with:  

• Extortion, contrary to s. 346(1.1) (b) of Criminal Code; 
• Two counts of Recklessly Discharging a Firearm into or at a place, contrary to s. 244.2(3)(b) of the Criminal Code; 
• Two counts of Causing Damage by Fire or Explosion to Property, contrary to s. 434 of the Criminal Code; and  
• Throwing an explosive substance with the intent to destroy or damage property, contrary to section 81(1)(c) of the Criminal Code.  

  Sahil, 24-year-old, resident of Surrey, who has been charged with:   

• Extortion, contrary to section 346(1.1) (b) of Criminal Code;  
• Causing Damage by Fire or Explosion to Property, contrary to section 434 of the Criminal Code;  
• Unauthorized transfer of a prohibited firearm, contrary to section 99(1)(a) of the Criminal Code;  
• Two counts of unauthorized transfer of a prohibited firearm, contrary to section 99(1)(a) of the Criminal Code;   
• Three counts of unauthorized transfer of prohibited device, ammunition or magazine, contrary to section 99(1)(a) of the Criminal Code; and 
• Two counts of trafficking cocaine, contrary to section 5(3)(a) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.  

Simranjeet Singh, 24-year-old, resident of Surrey, who has been charged with:   

• Extortion, contrary to section 346(1.1) (b) of Criminal Code;  
• Two counts of recklessly Discharging a Firearm into or at a place, contrary to section 244.2(3)(b) of the Criminal Code; 
• Two counts of causing Damage by Fire or Explosion to Property, contrary to section 434 of the Criminal Code; and 
• Throwing an explosive substance with the intent to destroy or damage property, contrary to section 81(1)(c) of the Criminal Code.  

 Harsh, 21-year-old, resident of Surrey, who has been charged with:   

• Extortion, contrary to section 346(1.1)(b) of Criminal Code;  
• Two counts of recklessly Discharging a Firearm into or at a place, contrary to section 244.2(3)(b) of the Criminal Code; and 
• Causing Damage by Fire or Explosion to Property, contrary to section 434 of the Criminal Code.  

Jagdeep Singh, 24-year-old, resident Ottawa, Ontario, who has been charged with: 

• Extortion, contrary to section 346(1.1) (b) of Criminal Code;  
• Recklessly Discharging a Firearm into or at a place, contrary to section 244.2(3)(b) of the Criminal Code; and
• Causing Damage by Fire or Explosion to Property, contrary to section 434 of the Criminal Code. 

“Singla was in India,” says a police statement. “Through ongoing efforts, investigators identified his alleged role in this matter and determined that it was in the public interest to have him appear before the courts in Canada. Working in close coordination with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and our international RCMP Liaison Officers, investigators facilitated a controlled operation that allowed Mr. Singla to enter Canada for the purpose of effecting his arrest.”

The investigation resulted in the seizure of numerous items, including four firearms, assorted ammunition and magazines, and illicit substances such as suspected fentanyl, cocaine, and opium.