Edmonton extortions: 7.5-year sentence handed down in Project Gaslight

The remnants of a newly built home that was burned down and is under investigation of arson in Edmonton on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson.

One of the people charged in an extortion scheme targeting Edmonton’s South Asian business community has been sentenced to 7.5 years in prison.

Manav Heer was convicted of extortion, arson, conspiracy, and unlawful use of an imitation firearm.

He was given credit for 847 days of pre-trial custody, leaving him with just over five years of prison time to serve.

Heer was arrested as part of Project Gaslight, which involved 40 incidents including fires, arson attempts and shootings in 2023 and 2024.

The Edmonton Police Service says Maninder Dhaliwal is the ringleader of the gang that committed the crimes.

Dhaliwal is currently in custody in the United Arab Emirates on unrelated charges.

EPS has applied to extradite him to Alberta to face trial in connection with Project Gaslight.