Calgary police have charged two more men in connection with a disturbing pattern of extortions targeting South Asian business owners and entrepreneurs across the city.
Sandeep Singh, 30, and Amandeep Mallhi, 39, each face one count of extortion and one count of possession of the proceeds of crime following a search warrant executed on May 28. The charges stem from a May 5 incident in the northeast community of Saddle Ridge, where extortionists demanded money from a business owner while threatening violence against the owner, their friends, and family members.
A Growing Problem
The arrests represent the latest enforcement action in what has become a coordinated crackdown on an alarming crime wave. Since April 2025, Calgary Police Service has documented 46 extortion-related incidents targeting the South Asian community. Most disturbingly, 19 of those incidents have involved shootings at residential homes, commercial establishments, and vehicles — a clear escalation in violence tied to these criminal demands.
To date, 14 individuals have been charged with 54 criminal offences related to this extortion series, signalling a sustained police response to what authorities describe as organized criminal activity.
Community Tips Break the Case
Superintendent Jeff Bell of the Calgary Police Service's criminal operations and intelligence division emphasized the critical role community members played in this arrest.
"In this case, we were able to quickly make arrests because information came from the community in a timely manner," Bell stated in a Monday press release.
Bell urged other victims not to comply with extortion demands. "Victims of extortion shouldn't pay, and should instead contact police immediately," he said, stressing that paying only encourages further criminal activity and puts lives at greater risk.
Multi-Agency Response
Calgary Police Service is working alongside the Canada Border Services Agency and other law enforcement partners to combat the extortion ring. Each arrest, authorities say, reinforces their commitment to protecting all Calgarians and sends a deterrent message to those involved in these crimes.
Singh and Mallhi are scheduled to appear in Calgary court on Monday, June 3. Residents with information about extortion or related crimes are encouraged to contact Calgary Police Service or Crime Stoppers.
This article is based on reporting from CBC Calgary. For the full original story, visit CBC News.