Surrey Family Living in Fear After Extortion Task Force Raids Home
A Surrey father says his family is still deeply shaken after a dramatic daytime raid by the provincial extortion task force targeted a man living in their basement suite.
“They Broke Down the Doors” — Family Recounts the Raid
According to homeowner Sameer Arora, a tactical team of approximately 25 armed officers arrived without warning on Oct. 24, blocking the street with police vehicles while officers with weapons drawn and police dogs stormed the property.
Arora says officers smashed through the front gate and basement door.
“They would have broken down the front door as well if my children hadn’t been home,” he said.
The man targeted in the warrant — a 21-year-old tenant — was not home at the time.
Despite police assurances that the family was safe, Arora says the tenant returned later that same day and messaged him claiming innocence and blaming the raid on “a mistake by police.”
Surrey at the Centre of a Growing Extortion Crisis
Surrey continues to be the epicentre of an escalating extortion wave gripping B.C.’s Lower Mainland.
• 95 extortion incidents reported this year
• 43 cases involved shots fired
• Up sharply from 20 total files in 2024
Seven individuals have been arrested and charged so far, according to task force officials. More charges are expected.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) also confirmed that its involvement in search warrants has led to:
• 3 removals from Canada
• 78 foreign nationals under admissibility investigations
Many of those under review are foreign students, RCMP Assistant Commissioner John Brewer noted.
Concerns Over Deportation Instead of Prosecution
Experts warn that removals alone may not deter organized networks.
Criminologist Wade Deisman said deporting individuals without prosecution risks sending the message that offenders can act “with impunity,” knowing they may simply be expelled if caught.
Family Still Afraid of Retaliation
At Arora’s request — and with two police officers present — the tenant and his family moved out on Nov. 2.
Still, Arora says his household doesn’t feel secure.
“We don’t know if he’s a criminal or just a suspect,” he said. “We are not feeling safe at all.”
RCMP confirmed multiple search warrants tied to ongoing extortion investigations but said they cannot disclose details about individuals who have not been charged.
Source – https://www.cbc.ca/
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