Convictions mark one of British Columbia’s first successful prosecutions tied to a growing wave of extortion-related violence
Three Indian-origin youths from Punjab have been sentenced by a Canadian court for their involvement in an extortion-linked shooting at a residence in Surrey, British Columbia, in what police describe as one of the province’s first convictions connected to extortion-related crimes.
The three men — Taranveer Singh, Harjot Singh and Dayajeet Singh Billing — pleaded guilty in Surrey Provincial Court on June 9 to charges stemming from an incident that occurred in the early hours of February 1 in Surrey’s Crescent Beach neighbourhood.
According to investigators, multiple shots were fired at a house near Crescent Road and 132 Street. A small fire was also reported outside the property. No injuries were recorded. The Surrey Police Service later linked the attack to ongoing extortion threats targeting members of the local community.
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Police arrested the three suspects shortly after the incident through a joint effort involving Project Assurance, the force’s anti-extortion patrol unit, and its Major Crime Section
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Authorities had identified the accused as foreign nationals and coordinated with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) during the investigation
Taranveer Singh, who was 19 at the time of the offence, pleaded guilty to reckless discharge of a firearm. He received a five-year prison sentence and, after credit for time already served, is expected to remain in custody for nearly four and a half more years.
Harjot Singh and Dayajeet Singh Billing, both 21 at the time of the incident, pleaded guilty to throwing an explosive substance. Each was sentenced to just over two years in prison. After accounting for time served, Billing will spend about 20 more months in custody, while Harjot Singh will serve approximately 18 months. Both will also be subject to two years of probation following their release.
Surrey Police Service Staff Sgt Lindsey Houghton said the convictions could signal the beginning of more successful prosecutions in extortion-related investigations across British Columbia. While none of the three men was charged directly with extortion, police maintain the attack was linked to extortion activity.
The CBSA said foreign nationals found inadmissible under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act may face removal proceedings after completing their sentences.
