Surrey (Rajeev Sharma): Ottawa has announced a fresh round of law enforcement support to address a sharp rise in extortion-related crimes in Surrey and neighbouring communities in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, as authorities warn the situation is spiralling rapidly.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the federal government would move quickly to strengthen frontline policing, calling the growing pattern of threats and violence “completely unacceptable.” In a public statement, he stressed that dismantling the criminal networks behind the extortion schemes would require close coordination between federal, provincial and local agencies.
Under the new measures, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will deploy up to 20 additional officers to support the BC Extortion Task Force and municipal police forces operating in Surrey. The RCMP will also provide helicopter assistance to enhance surveillance, emergency response and investigative operations in areas affected by repeated incidents.
The announcement comes after Surrey formally declared the situation a national emergency, citing a dramatic rise in cases since the start of 2026. Police records show roughly 35 suspected extortion incidents reported in the first three weeks of January alone, including multiple targeted shootings. By mid-month, at least eight shootings were confirmed to be linked to extortion demands.
Law enforcement officials have warned that if the current rate continues, the city could see more than 600 extortion cases by the end of the year — a stark contrast to the 132 attempts reported across all of 2025, 49 of which involved firearms.
Federal officials said the latest deployment adds to earlier support measures, including a $4 million allocation announced in November 2025 to boost the Regional Integrated Drug Enforcement Team, as well as $1 million earmarked to assist victims of extortion through a joint federal–provincial initiative. Senior police leaders are also expected to meet soon to refine enforcement tactics and improve intelligence-sharing mechanisms.
The decision follows discussions between Minister Anandasangaree and several senior officials, including British Columbia Premier David Eby, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, Canada Border Services Agency President Erin O’Gorman and BC Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger. Ottawa reiterated its wider public safety push, which includes proposed bail and sentencing reforms, tighter border controls and plans to recruit 1,000 new RCMP officers and 1,000 additional CBSA personnel nationwide.
Investigators say the surge in extortion cases began around June 2025 and has largely targeted members of South Asian communities, including business owners and individuals. The crimes are often attributed to transnational organised groups that issue monetary demands through phone calls, text messages, social media and letters, backed by intimidation tactics such as shootings, arson attacks and threats against families.
Local officials have continued to press for stronger national intervention, arguing that cross-border criminal links and enforcement gaps have allowed the problem to escalate at an alarming pace.
