B.C. forms a 40-member RCMP-led task force to stamp out extortion targeting South Asian businesses; includes funding and city reward.
Provincial Action Strengthens Law Enforcement Network
The provincial government has established a 40-member RCMP-led task force to confront the growing extortion crisis targeting South Asian businesses across British Columbia. Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger announced the formation of the unit during a press event in Surrey on Wednesday.
The new force is composed of officers from across the province, combining resources from Lower Mainland RCMP, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, municipal police departments, and federal agencies. The aim is to provide a single command structure with the capability to pursue extortion schemes that cross jurisdictions.
Scope, Composition & Mandate Explained
This task force is described as having a province-wide mandate focused entirely on organized crime-related extortion threats. Krieger emphasized that the unit is distinct from existing policing operations because of its diverse membership and its unified command framework.
Among its members are:
- 10 officers from Lower Mainland RCMP detachments
- 12 from the CFSEU
- Teams from Surrey, Abbotsford, Delta, Metro Vancouver Transit Police, and Canadian Border Services Agency
Support staff and analysts will also contribute to intelligence gathering and tactical operations.
The Need: What’s Driving the Initiative
Reports of extortion complaints surged in Surrey, with 45 complaints in 2025 alone. While data for the rest of B.C. has not been fully disclosed, Krieger and senior law enforcement officials say the threat is widespread.
South Asian businesses have been disproportionately affected — they are being pressured with threats, violence, and economic coercion. These incidents are viewed as symptoms of organized crime exploiting vulnerable communities.
Funding, Rewards, and Community Support
To support the task force and broader community responses, the government has earmarked CAD$200,000 via a federal gun and gang violence fund. This will assist municipal police forces in regions not covered by the new task force. An additional CAD$100,000 has been allocated for a CrimeStoppers campaign aimed at raising awareness and tips.
Earlier this week, the City of Surrey launched a CAD$250,000 reward fund for information leading to convictions in known extortion cases. According to Mayor Brenda Locke, it is among the largest such municipal reward offerings in Canadian history.
Enforcement Strategy & Expected Outcome
Assistant Commissioner John Brewer of the B.C. RCMP detailed that the task force will leverage enhanced intelligence analysis, tactical expertise, and cross-jurisdiction cooperation to bring perpetrators to justice.
The expectation is that by uniting multiple agencies under one command, response times will improve, investigations will be more comprehensive, and victims from the affected communities will receive stronger protection. The ultimate goal is to stem the tide of extortion by dismantling the networks behind it.
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