The Edmonton Police Service revealed more details Thursday about an investigation into violence associated with extortion attempts they believe are connected to organized crime and being directed from someone in India.
At a news conference Thursday morning, EPS Deputy Chief Devin Laforce called the crimes part of a “new trend that is impacting us and other parts of Canada,” and described the investigation as being comprised of a “disturbing series of files.”
He said the extortion attempts are targeting members of the city’s South Asian community.
“(The EPS) task force (working on the case) is connected nationally to several policing agencies that are experiencing similar types of crimes,” Laforce told reporters. “Obviously there is complexity with these investigations when they span multiple jurisdictions, let alone trans-national connections.
“This now-national task force is working very well together and sharing information and strategies with each other. We have met with our South Asian community members and are working collaboratively with them on a number of fronts.”
Police said they are also working with the RCMP which is in dialogue with law enforcement agencies operating abroad.
A recent drive-by shooting is among 27 “events” that the EPS is looking at in connection with their ongoing investigation into the extortion attempts.
“On Jan. 10, 2024, at approximately 1:10 a.m., a suspect in a vehicle fired shots into a Cy Becker residence occupied by a family with children,” police said in a news release issued Thursday morning. “No one was struck, although bullets were recovered from inside the home.
“The occupants of the home have no known involvement in criminal activity.”
Police said the shooting is the second time that the northeast Edmonton home was targeted and that investigators believe the shooting relates to its extortion investigation.
According to police, investigators working on the case are looking into five extortion attempts, 15 arsons and seven “firearms offences” in connection with the case. When asked, they confirmed the majority of those firearms offences are shootings but did not provide details on those except for the drive-by attack on Jan. 10.
The EPS confirmed a fire that broke out Tuesday at a home under construction in Beaumont, Alta., is the latest event investigators are looking at.
Police have said a number of the arsons appear to be targeting houses being built by homebuilders of South Asian descent.
“No injuries have been reported as a result of the shootings, but a firefighter was injured in one of the arsons,” police said. “An estimated $9 million in property damage has been reported as a result of the arsons and shootings.”
Staff Sgt. David Marentette with the Beaumont RCMP detachment said one concern shared by various law enforcement agencies is what steps are being taken by the criminals involved to determine if anyone is inside before starting a fire at a home.
“It’s obviously very concerning from a community safety aspect,” he said, adding that the eyes and ears of community members are vital to the investigation.
“The community’s best placed to know what’s suspicious and what isn’t.”
Police noted that while similar events have been reported in B.C. and Ontario, “at this time, investigators do not believe these to be connected to the Edmonton series.”
Laforce added he wanted to reassure Edmontonians that police “will not tolerate our citizens, any of our communities or our city to be terrorized and extorted by these criminals.
“We need the help from the community on this.”
Insp. Lance Parker also spoke at the news conference and stressed how important it is for victims to come forward to police.
“The only way to identify these suspects and stop these crimes from happening is to gather evidence to arrest them and get them in front of the courts, and we need your witness information to do that,” he said.
“There may be people out there who have paid the extortion fee and have not reported it to police. And if that’s the case, we want to know about it.”
Global News spoke to a businessman in the homebuilding sector from the Edmonton area who is of South Asian descent. Global News has agreed not to name him for safety reasons.
“It is very concerning,” he said, adding he believes some people may have paid the protection money because they do not trust the justice system will be able to handle the situation.
“This is not only affecting people’s businesses. It’s also affecting people’s peace of mind, families.”
The businessman told Global News he is also concerned by what he suggested is a lack of support for the victims from leaders from various levels of government in Alberta.
He noted that mayors in other Canadian municipalities dealing with a similar situation have written to the federal government about the matter.
“It’s a matter of trust and confidence and support,” he said.
The businessman said while he has not personally been targeted, he knows people who have.
On Thursday afternoon, Alberta Public Safety and Emergency Services Minister Mike Ellis issued a statement saying his government “has zero tolerance towards violent and organized criminal activity.”
“We will be monitoring this closely while EPS conducts their investigation,” his statement read in part. “This raises a serious concern regarding violent and organized crime in our province.”
Ellis’ statement noted he believes “federal policies have created an environment for organized crime to thrive with little to no consequences as they prey on Albertans.”
“Alberta’s government remains committed to fighting for much needed bail reform to keep gangs and violent crime out of our province and keep our streets safe.”
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi issued a statement on Thursday night and said he was made aware of the situation by local businesspeople several weeks ago.
“(I) immediately reached out to the city manager and chief of police to share these concerns and have remained in touch with some of the impacted businesses,” his message read in part. “All businesses in Edmonton deserve to conduct their business without fear and intimidation.
“I am in touch with other cities in the Edmonton region and across Canada who are experiencing this issue.”
Sohi added that he was copied on a letter sent to the federal government by the mayors of Brampton, Ont., and Surrey, B.C., regarding the issue.
“I echo their calls for the federal government to develop a comprehensive strategy to address these extortion threats across Canada.”
Coun. Tim Cartmell posted a statement about the situation on social media. He told Global News it is “extremely alarming” for him to hear what is happening.
“There’s just no place or room for that kind of behaviour here in the city,” he said. “We’ve just got to do everything we can to make sure this kind of activity is held to account.
“Some of these arsons have just had complete disregard for the neighbourhood around them, for the people that live next door and that is really disconcerting.”
Cartmell said he is fielding concerns from Edmontonians who live in newer communities that are still being developed.
“(They ask,) ‘What’s happening here? And am I at risk?'” he said. “(If) you’re not sure you’re going to have to evacuate in the middle of the night because the house next door has been set on fire, that’s really alarming.”
Cartmell said he knows the issue is one a number of Canadian municipalities are looking at.
“I very much would like to make sure that we are doing something through council, through the mayor’s office,” he said, adding he has issued a statement to ensure citizens know city council is concerned.
Global News reached out to the federal justice minister’s office for comment on the matter but has yet to receive a response.
Global News also reached out to the federal public safety minister’s office which responded and asked that the request for comment be redirected to the RCMP’s head office which Global News then reached out to. This article will be updated when a response is received.
Staff Sgt. David Paton told reporters investigators want to hear more from victims or others in the community who may have information that could help police.
“We understand why they may be reluctant,” he said.
Paton said the criminals primarily target South Asian homebuilders whom they believe to be affluent and “able to provide funds.”
“(The suspects make a) demand for a significant amount of money,” he said. “(But) it’s going to take a community effort… not just the South Asian community … everybody in the city.
“Typically, our victims receive a WhatsApp (messaging app) communication … There’s a request that comes along with that for compensation to allow those victims to remain safe.
“It’s our belief that these crimes are being orchestrated from India.”
The businessman Global News spoke to said he is concerned by police highlighting that people of South Asian descent are the focus of the extortion attempts because he believes people from other backgrounds have been targeted too. He also said he believes highlighting the victims being of South Asian descent could fuel bigotry.
“Criminals do not differentiate,” he said. “This has nothing to do with race. This is a criminal versus a business person.
“Today they could be South Asian, tomorrow they could be someone else.”
Parker said six “young males” have already been arrested in connection with the arsons and firearms offences. Earlier this month, police released details about charges that have been laid so far. He said while police believe the crimes are being carried out by local people, investigators believe they are “being directed by a suspect in India” and that a criminal network is involved.
Paton said one person who is at least a person of interest in the case “has likely left the country.”
Parker added police are looking into whether a fire this week in the Orchards community on the city’s south side could be connected to the investigation.
“That has yet to be confirmed,” he noted.
The businessman Global News spoke with pointed out that he believes smaller, more “mom and pop-” type businessowners are the ones being targeted.
“(I’m) very worried,” he said. “We have talked to some of those who were thinking of building 100 units in the coming year and they have put plans on pause until this thing gets sorted out. And that will make life hard for everyone.”
He added there are also growing concerns about how these crimes could impact insurance premiums and believes the impact of something like that could be felt even more widely by people in the province and have ripple effects.
The businessman said a number of homebuilders are investing in security guards and personally going to their properties more regularly to check on them.
“People’s focus has completely gone away from running a business to defensive mode — like protecting their assets, protecting their families, protecting their businesses. That’s all their focus is at this time. They cannot focus on how to grow their business, how to build more,” he said.
“We are paying millions of dollars in taxes … and we still have to spend money on security and staying up all night to defend ourselves. Why are we paying those taxes to the government?”
Anyone with information about the drive-by shooting or other events related to the investigation is asked to call police at 780-423-4567. Video and photos of a suspect vehicle can be viewed at the bottom of this article.
When speaking with police dispatch, callers can reference file #23-802638. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at http://www.p3tips.com/250.
–with files from Sarah Komadina, Global News