Surrey Police report record 101 extortion cases as crisis deepens across city
Surrey Police are grappling with an alarming surge in extortion cases, reporting 101 active files for 2025—the highest number ever recorded and a clear sign of a worsening public-safety emergency. According to the Surrey Police Service (SPS), the extortion attempts have targeted both individuals and businesses, with many victims facing repeated threats and violence, including at least 44 shootings linked directly to these crimes.
Victims repeatedly targeted
Independent MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale and former RCMP officer Elenore Sturko called the situation “an absolute travesty,” stressing that some victims have endured multiple shootings, Molotov cocktail attacks, and property damage after refusing to pay extortion demands.
“We are well beyond the crisis stage,” Sturko warned, saying Surrey is now in a state of emergency due to the scale of organized-crime intimidation.
Police and city launch emergency measures
The spike in extortion cases prompted rapid action from both municipal and provincial authorities. SPS and BC RCMP have formed a joint task force, adding emergency response teams, specialized units, and support from nearby police agencies.
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke recently announced a $250,000 city-funded reward pool to encourage information leading to convictions. A 7-day-a-week extortion tip line is now active as part of a broader campaign urging community members to report threats immediately.
Political pressure grows
Sturko and other political leaders say gaps in policing during Surrey’s RCMP-to-SPS transition have allowed criminal networks to expand their influence. She is pressing Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger and federal officials to deploy significant additional resources to Surrey.
“This must become a top public-safety priority,” Sturko said, adding that confidence in policing has been undermined by the surge in violent extortion.
Ongoing investigations and arrests
Recent months have led to multiple arrests tied to extortion investigations. Joint operations between SPS, RCMP, and federal agencies have resulted in charges ranging from arson to reckless discharge of a firearm. Police have also increased public education, running a province-wide awareness campaign teaching residents how to identify and report extortion attempts before they escalate.
Authorities emphasize that victims should never comply with payment demands.
Impact on families and businesses
The toll on Surrey’s community is significant. Families report living in fear after targeted shootings, while businesses—especially in certain neighbourhoods—have absorbed repeated threats, vandalism, and intimidation.
City officials continue to host forums and outreach efforts, aiming to rebuild public trust as investigations intensify.
A turning point in Surrey’s fight against organized crime
Leaders across policing and politics agree: addressing the extortion crisis will require coordination between law enforcement, government, and Surrey residents. With extortion numbers at an all-time high, 2025 marks a watershed moment in the city’s campaign against organized-crime networks.
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