B.C., Ottawa, commits more money to crack down on extortion crime

The federal government and the B.C. government have committed $500,000 each to improve services for people directly affected by extortion incidents and extortion-related threats in the province.

B.C. Premier David Eby announced on Friday morning that the federal government has committed an additional $4 million for a task force to chase down people involved in criminal drug activity south of the Fraser River.

“There is a close connection between the gangs involved in extortion and the gangs involved in criminal drug dealing in these communities as well,” Eby added.

“This team will assist local police in working across borders and boundaries and taking a regional approach to ensure that these gangs are arrested and to recognize that they don’t pay any attention to the boundaries between communities for their illegal activities.”

As part of the investigative efforts, the Task Force conducted a search warrant execution on a home with the support of the Lower Mainland District Integrated Emergency Response Team (LMD IERT), according to BC RCMP.

Multiple people were in the home at the time and arrested, items have been seized, and the search and investigation remain ongoing.

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Canada’s South Asian communities, including those in Surrey, B.C., have seen a wave of extortion-related threats and violence, with British Columbia establishing a team dedicated to such cases earlier in the fall.

6:27 Dave Hayer’s perspective on the current extortion threats

The city of Surrey has also set up a $250,000 reward fund in a push to gather information that would lead to a conviction in extortion cases in the area.

Recently, the Law Society of B.C. sent out a notice to its members saying it is aware of recent incidents involving extortion threats.

4:26 VPD hosting anti-extortion community forum

Vancouver police organized a community safety forum on Wednesday night to speak with residents about the recent extortion incidents.

While no extortion cases have been reported in Vancouver, residents said they are still concerned about the rise in incidents.

“We don’t want what’s happening south of us in our city, and the only way to prevent that is if the community itself works with the police authorities and cooperates and works together,” Jagdeep Sanghera, vice-president of the Khalsa Diwan Society, said.

Earlier this month, the Canada Border Services Agency announced it had deported three people connected to extortion investigations.

As of Nov. 28, 2025, the CBSA has initiated immigration investigations into 96 foreign nationals who may be inadmissible and has removed from Canada five individuals related to these investigations.

“If individuals come into the country with the purpose of perpetrating violent extortion, they will be removed from Canada following all appropriate laws,” said Nina Krieger, the province’s public safety minister and solicitor general.