It has been four months since B.C. launched its Extortion Task Force.
In that time, the Task Force has taken charge of 32 files from jurisdictions across the Lower Mainland, according to a release from BC RCMP.
Seven people have been criminally charged out of these investigations and municipal policing partners have also secured charges in some of the investigations in conjunction with the Task Force, police said.
“Extortion investigations are complex and investigators and Crown prosecutors must rely on lawfully obtained physical, digital and forensic evidence to put the pieces of the puzzles together and to prove the charges,” assistant commissioner John Brewer of the BC RCMP said in a statement.
“The Task Force understands this reality is unrelenting in its efforts, has over 1,000 exhibits and hundreds of hours of CCTV footage that is being meticulously analyzed to find every vital piece of evidence. The BC RCMP continues to lead the Task Force and drive investigations with our municipal partners because public safety remains our top priority. All our investigations remain active with our efforts extending beyond provincial borders through close collaboration with police partners nationwide.”
Police said that as each extortion-related file comes in, it is assessed to determine whether it’s connected with any previously identified case, and then investigators will work with policing partners across the province and Canada.
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The Task Force has also obtained almost 100 judicial authorizations and executed multiple search warrants across the Lower Mainland, Southeast District and in Alberta.
As of Monday, Jan 19, there are 21 victims (16 repeat victims), 34 reported extortions, and seven extortion-related shots fired incidents in the City of Surrey since the beginning of the year, according to the Surrey Police Service.
When asked about the number of shootings in Surrey so far this year, Brewer said that talking about the incidents without talking about the success the Task Force has had to make strides in the investigation is causing “unnecessary angst in the community.
“I know people are upset,” he said. “I know people are scared, my job here is to assure them that every police officer in this province and especially in the Lower Mainland who is part of this Task Force is working around the clock to ensure their safety.”
Brewer said what is happening in Surrey is not a crisis.
“What’s happening out there with drug overdoses? That’s a crisis, people are dying,” he said. “This is a threat to public safety, absolutely and I take it very seriously, but please, police here are working very hard; they work around the clock, they worked over the holidays to get this done. All I’m asking is while you’re reporting the news on those extortions, also please report what’s fair and report what police are doing, local police, but also BC RCMP and also nationally.”
Brewer added that investigations take time to be done and completed correctly.
When asked about a Surrey homeowner who is being investigated for firing back during an extortion-related shooting, Brewer said they do not condone anyone firing back and putting themselves in possible harm’s way.
“We are now actively hunting these extortionists,” he added. “And they know we’re hunting them, make no mistake. They are changing their MO because we’re hunting them and we will continue to hunt them, we will root them out from every dark corner they try to hide in and we will either put them before the courts or they will be deported.”
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is also an integral part of the Extortion Task Force, RCMP said.
As of Jan. 20, the CBSA is investigating 111 foreign nationals who may be inadmissible for Immigration and Refugee Protection Act–related offences, according to police.
So far, nine of these individuals have been removed from Canada.
“Please know that we are moving forward with each investigation to ensure that those who are responsible for these acts are held accountable,” Brewer said in a statement. “Working with our partners in the Task Force, specialized units and police of jurisdiction, we’ve taken a multi-pronged approach to each file. The combined strength of all agencies involved ensures that the necessary expertise is available throughout the province and across the country to advance investigations.”
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