Extortion charges laid after Surrey home targeted in shootings, one suspect sought by police

Three foreign nationals have been charged with extortion and firearms offences following shootings at a Surrey home in November, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The charges were announced Friday by the B.C. RCMP-led Extortion Task Force, which was established to investigate a series of threats, shootings and arsons across British Columbia. Police have said the incidents have largely targeted members of the South Asian business community.

According to police, 22-year-old Avtar Singh, 28-year-old Sandeep Singh and 24-year-old Jagdeep Singh are charged with extortion and unlawfully discharging a firearm in connection with shots fired at a home in Surrey on Nov. 8 and again four days later. Avtar Singh had already been charged in December with unlawfully discharging a firearm in a related matter.

Police said Avtar Singh and Sandeep Singh remain in custody. Jagdeep Singh’s whereabouts are unknown. He is wanted by police and by the Canada Border Services Agency on an immigration warrant.

The task force is investigating dozens of extortion files provincewide. In Surrey alone, officers have received 56 reports of extortion since the start of the year, police said.

Police have not released further details about the allegations, which have not been tested in court. Anyone with information is asked to contact Surrey RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

Context: Police say the investigation is focused on a pattern of violence and threats affecting businesses, particularly within Surrey’s South Asian community. The Extortion Task Force continues to coordinate enforcement and intelligence efforts across the province.