The B.C. government is pursuing civil forfeiture of a 22-year-old Honda Civic that was used by suspects in a January extortion-related shooting in Surrey, even though no criminal charges have been laid. The vehicle, recovered by Surrey Police Service (SPS) shortly after the incident, is now the subject of a lawsuit filed by the director of civil forfeiture.
Details of the Shooting
The shooting occurred on Jan. 20 at approximately 4:30 a.m. at Skyline Auto Group, located in the 7200-block of King George Boulevard in Surrey. According to a statement of claim filed last month, surveillance footage captured the grey four-door Honda Civic approaching the business with the passenger window down, a front passenger wearing a red face covering, and multiple muzzle flashes emanating from the passenger side. Police found evidence of firearms being discharged near the building and two vehicles in the lot, causing damage. No one was inside the business at the time, and no injuries were reported.
Recovery of the Vehicle
On Jan. 26, 2026, SPS conducted a dual-purpose traffic stop of the vehicle. Inside were the registered owner, Damanveer Singh, in the passenger seat, and his brother Taranvir Singh driving. Investigators compared photos from the traffic stop with the security footage and confirmed it was the same car. Police stopped the Honda again on Feb. 25 in the 9600-block of 129th Street, seizing the vehicle. Damanveer Singh was driving at that time.
Civil Forfeiture Proceedings
Singh, who has no criminal record in B.C., filed a dispute after receiving a notice that the government was seeking administrative forfeiture of the car. This led to court proceedings. The civil forfeiture director argues the vehicle should be forfeited as an instrument of unlawful activity, citing crimes including mischief, recklessly discharging a firearm at a building and vehicles, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and using a firearm in the commission of an offence. The director also contends that even if Singh was not directly involved in the shooting, he knew or ought to have known how the vehicle was being used. No statement of defence has been filed.
Broader Context
This case is part of a larger crackdown on extortion-related violence in British Columbia. The SPS emphasized that the shooting occurred when the business was unoccupied, and no injuries resulted. The civil forfeiture action allows the government to seize assets linked to criminal activity without requiring criminal convictions, a tool increasingly used to disrupt organized crime.
