Shots fired at Surrey businesses linked to extortion. Experts warn international students are vulnerable to gang recruitment and coercion.
Early Morning Shooting Sparks Concern in Cloverdale
Surrey police are investigating after gunfire erupted at a business in Cloverdale early Monday. Officers received a report at 9 a.m. about shots fired overnight at a location on the 5400 block of Production Boulevard. Police say the incident occurred around 12:49 a.m.
“This marks the second time a business in this complex has been targeted,” Surrey Police Service noted, recalling a similar shooting on March 23. Authorities believe Monday’s attack is connected to extortion activity.
Newton Home Also Targeted
In a separate incident, police were called to the Newton area after reports of gunfire. A home and a vehicle outside sustained damage, though fortunately, no one inside the residence was hurt. Police suspect this shooting is also linked to extortion.
Extortion Violence: Declining Numbers, Ongoing Threat
While reported extortion-related shootings in Surrey have dropped since January, the risk remains. Data from Surrey Police Service show 11 such incidents this year: ten in January and one in February.
Even with this apparent decrease, concerns are growing that international students are particularly vulnerable to being recruited for extortion schemes.
International Students in the Crosshairs
Mokham Singh Malik, a 20-year-old member of Surrey’s livability, social equity, and public safety committee, explained that gangs often target socially isolated students.
“Often, someone approaches a student offering a little money for a small task,” Malik said. “Eventually, the student may be pressured to commit serious extortion crimes, with threats to them or their family if they refuse.”
RCMP investigations have linked some threats to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang based in India, which has targeted the South Asian community in British Columbia.
Police Outreach and Prevention Efforts
Malik emphasized that while police have begun educating youth about gang recruitment, more proactive steps are needed. He suggested creating a WhatsApp tip line for reporting extortion threats and producing “extortion kits” that explain what extortion is and how to report it quickly using QR codes.
“Small steps like this show young people that the police are listening and that they can report safely,” Malik said.
Surrey Police Service continues to monitor a dedicated extortion hotline daily, has 15 staff on a province-wide task force, and conducts regular patrols in areas prone to extortion activity.
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