A new provincial task force has been formed to tackle the growing number of extortion threats and shootings targeting British Columbia’s South Asian community.
Led by the B.C. RCMP, the task force will bring together 40 members from various law enforcement agencies.
Additionally, $300,000 from the federal gun and gang action fund is being directed to local police to support extortion investigations and to Crime Stoppers for its public awareness campaign on extortion.
“No person, family or business in our province should be threatened in this way and we must do everything we can to stop these crimes,” said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
The Surrey Police Service says it is investigating 45 extortion threats and 27 related shootings in the city this year alone.
Arrests have been made in some extortion cases, according to B.C. RCMP Assistant Commissioner John Brewer, although he did not specify a number.
Surrey announces reward fund for information leading to extortion convictions
Brewer said police have forwarded charge recommendations on some of the investigations that are currently in front of Crown counsel for assessment.
“This dedicated and expanded team brings additional resources, intelligence analysts and tactical skills from multiple law enforcement agencies with the goal of protecting our communities while pursuing those responsible for the violence, intimidation and fear,” Brewer said.
Earlier this week Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke announced a $250,000 fund to reward tipsters who bring forward information that leads to successful extortion convictions in the city.
And yesterday, Mississauga’s Peel Regional Police announced Gurdeep Shergill of Delta, B.C., had been charged with extortion and two counts of shooting with intent. The charges are related to two shootings in Brampton, Ontario. Shergill was arrested in Surrey and transported to Brampton where is is awaiting a bail hearing.
Brewer said extortion perpetrators can run the gamut from family members to those connected to international gangs.
The RCMP has linked the India-based Lawrence Bishnoi gang to extortion threats in the South Asian community, setting off a call from B.C. Premier David Eby and others to have the gang declared a terrorist organization.
Surrey Police Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said one of the issues facing police is the reluctance of people with information to come forward.
“I recently spoke to a person who had their house shot at. They looked me in the eye and told me they know, people in the community know, who is behind this, but they are choosing not to come forward,” said Houghton.
“It’s frustrating and disheartening to our investigators. I think we all have some work to do on the education-side, making potential victims and victims feel comfortable moving forward,” he said.
Krieger said the province’s VictimLinkBC helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 100 languages and that victims of extortion may be eligible for support through the crime victim assistance program.
