Canada Steps Up Action on Surrey Extortion Crisis

Canada ramps up deportations, high-level talks with India, and local measures to tackle Surrey’s growing extortion crisis.

Canada Pushes Back Against Extortion Threats

Canada is stepping up its fight against a wave of extortion cases rocking Surrey, B.C. Federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree revealed that Canadian officials have made “very important progress” in talks with India to address cross-border criminal activity fueling the crisis.

A senior Canadian delegation – including the National Security and Intelligence Advisor, CSIS Director, and RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme – recently visited India to hold “high-level conversations” aimed at boosting cooperation and sharing intelligence. “We want to ensure information is exchanged to curb the bold, cross-border activities of those involved,” Anandasangaree explained.

Deportations Underway, Investigations Expand

In a significant step, Canada Border Services Agency has already removed five individuals linked to the extortion network, while 95 additional cases are under active investigation. “There’s positive movement on this, though there’s more work to be done,” the minister added.

Surrey Leaders Rally on Public Safety

Anandasangaree joined Premier David Eby and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke at a roundtable meeting on Friday to strengthen strategies against extortion threats and support victims. The meeting comes amid a troubling surge: Surrey police have opened more than 100 extortion-related files this year, including 44 shootings and 75 unique victims.

Both provincial and municipal governments are taking action. In September, B.C. launched a provincial task force targeting extortion crimes affecting the South Asian community. This group brings together Lower Mainland RCMP detachments, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, Surrey Police, Abbotsford Police, Delta Police, Canada Border Services, and Metro Vancouver Transit Police.

Local Measures and Incentives

Surrey has created a public safety department to back police efforts and announced a $250,000 reward for information leading to convictions in extortion cases. Mayor Locke also requested 150 additional police officers from federal and provincial authorities to combat the crisis.

As Canada combines high-level diplomacy, deportations, and local action, officials hope to turn the tide against an extortion wave that has shaken Surrey’s community.

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