AI Generated Summary
- In a significant move to curb a growing wave of violence and intimidation in British Columbia, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has deported three foreign nationals linked to an organized extortion ring preying on Punjabi-origin business owners.
- While the CBSA has declined to provide further details on the identities or home countries of the individuals deported, citing security and privacy laws, sources confirm that both victims and suspects have often shared ties to the Punjabi diaspora.
- The group has been responsible for pooling intelligence and resources to respond to the alarming surge in extortion cases that have rocked communities across the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley.
In a significant move to curb a growing wave of violence and intimidation in British Columbia, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has deported three foreign nationals linked to an organized extortion ring preying on Punjabi-origin business owners. The deportations, announced on November 7, mark the first tangible action under the newly formed B.C. Extortion Task Force.
The 40-member task force, established earlier this year, brings together the CBSA, the RCMP, and local police units to combat the rise of transnational organized crime in the province. The group has been responsible for pooling intelligence and resources to respond to the alarming surge in extortion cases that have rocked communities across the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley.
While the CBSA has declined to provide further details on the identities or home countries of the individuals deported, citing security and privacy laws, sources confirm that both victims and suspects have often shared ties to the Punjabi diaspora. This backdrop has complicated the ongoing investigation, given the cultural and familial links within the affected communities.
Since early 2025, a rising number of Punjabi-owned businesses—particularly in Surrey—have reported being targeted by coercive schemes. Extortionists have exploited social media platforms to demand cryptocurrency payments, often threatening or enacting violent reprisals when refused. Businesses such as Kap’s Café in Surrey have faced repeated attacks, including arson, underlining the escalating nature of the threat.
CBSA officials noted that an additional 78 individuals are currently being scrutinized for possible immigration violations and criminal connections to the extortion plots. Authorities describe the recent deportations as a “strong first step” in a broader strategy to weaken the operatives behind the intimidation efforts.
Although the full impact of the task force’s actions is yet to be seen, officials have signaled a strong commitment to restoring safety and trust among B.C.’s Punjabi business community. “We are working diligently to dismantle these networks and protect all residents from further harm,” one official said.
As investigations widen and more cases come to light, the province awaits the next wave of enforcement, hopeful that such coordinated efforts will bring an end to the violence that has shaken its entrepreneurial heart.
