Police Sound Alarm as Extortion Files Surge in Surrey
A worrying trend is unfolding in Surrey, where extortion-related police investigations have more than doubled in just two months. According to the Surrey Police Service (SPS), there were only 10 active cases on file at the start of June. As of now, that number has soared to 26. While not all of these incidents occurred recently, officers believe growing public confidence is leading more victims to come forward.
SPS Sergeant Tige Pollock explained that multiple efforts—ranging from public forums to new reporting lines—are helping rebuild trust. “When people see we’re taking action, they feel safer reporting it,” he said. This response follows mounting fears within the South Asian business community, already shaken by violence possibly tied to extortion threats.
Rise in Reporting, Not Just a Rise in Crime
Pollock cautioned against calling it a sudden spike. Instead, he suggested the surge reflects delayed reporting from victims who now feel heard. The recent launch of SPS’s counter-extortion team, combined with provincial funding for tip lines, has likely helped increase reporting.
Public awareness campaigns are making a difference. In fact, incidents that had previously gone unreported are now being documented and actively investigated. The message is clear: authorities are stepping up—and they want the community to do the same.
Regional Echoes of Fear and Frustration
Surrey isn’t alone in facing this disturbing trend. In Edmonton, police are warning of a “second wave” of extortion threats. After arresting multiple suspects in 2024, authorities had hoped the issue was under control. But since May, six new incidents have been reported, pointing to a resurgence.
The frustration is growing among victims—especially those in the South Asian community—who feel justice is slow in B.C. compared to other provinces. While Alberta and Ontario have made several arrests and laid charges, B.C. residents say they are still waiting for meaningful accountability.
Organized Crime at the Core, Say National Officials
The RCMP’s National Coordination and Support Team (NCST), created last year to streamline extortion crackdowns, continues urging the public not to pay extortionists. Supt. Adam MacIntosh emphasized that payment only fuels the cycle of threats.
“These groups thrive because it’s profitable,” MacIntosh warned. “They wouldn’t continue if no one paid. But we understand—it’s frightening. Still, silence helps them more than fear ever will.”
His message is clear: community support and transparency with law enforcement are the only long-term solutions.
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