Individual confesses to arson-based blackmail scheme involving local home construction entrepreneurs in Edmonton
In a significant development, the alleged leader of an arson extortion syndicate that targeted South Asian homebuilders in Edmonton has been identified as Maninder Singh Dhaliwal, who is currently residing in the United Arab Emirates [4].
Project Gaslight, an investigation into 40 arsons, extortions, and a shooting that occurred in 2023 and 2024, uncovered this international criminal operation [1][3]. The syndicate is linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which operates from Indian jails and through associates in Canada, but Dhaliwal is specifically identified as the alleged leader of the Edmonton-based syndicate [1].
The syndicate's methods were brutal and intimidating. Extortions included demands for large sums of money from the homebuilders, threats to burn down their homes, and shoot and kill their relatives. In some cases, shots were also fired into the homes the builders lived in with their families [2].
The investigation, led by hundreds of officers, intercepted phone calls, seized phones, and analysed conversations between gang members on various messaging platforms [2]. One conversation revealed plans to hire more people, create larger arson teams, obtain firearms, and identify additional extortion targets in the South Asian homebuilder community [2].
Photos and videos of destroyed homes were sent to the builders as a means of intimidation [2]. In some instances, multiple homes were burned in one night as part of the arson scheme [2]. The arson scheme targeted South Asian homebuilders in Edmonton between October 2023 and January 2024 [3].
One of the gang members, Manav Heer, pleaded guilty to extortion, conspiring to commit extortion, attempting to cause fire to property, and dangerous driving. He was involved with the Brothers Keepers gang and an arson scheme. In one case, he crashed his father's BMW, causing a severe brain injury to a seven-year-old boy, who as a result has lost his vision, is likely to lose his hearing, and may require a lifelong caretaker [1].
In the days leading up to his arrest, Heer expressed frustration over the pay being reduced for some gang members to $1,500 per arson from $2,000 [3]. A request has been made to extradite Dhaliwal to Canada to face charges [4]. Some of the homebuilders targeted by the Project Gaslight arson scheme fled Alberta, and one bought an armored vehicle and hired 24/7 security [3].
Crown prosecutor Breena Smith stated that the investigation, named Project Gaslight, was a significant operation that aimed to bring those responsible for these crimes to justice [1]. Seven individuals, including Heer, were arrested and charged in July 2024. Charges against one accused have since been stayed, and another has already pleaded guilty [3]. The ongoing investigation serves as a reminder of the importance of law enforcement in protecting communities from such criminal activities.
The Project Gaslight investigation, a significant operation aimed at justice, revealed a connection between the syndicate's arson and extortion crimes and news related to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Videos of destroyed homes, used as means of intimidation, were shared in the syndicate's conversations on various messaging platforms, indicating a link between the crime-and-justice sector and general-news.
