British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): Canadian immigration officials have removed three foreign nationals believed to be connected to a violent extortion ring that has been targeting Punjabi-owned businesses across British Columbia.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced the deportations this week, describing them as part of a wider crackdown by the B.C. Extortion Task Force—a joint initiative involving the CBSA, RCMP, and regional police forces.
Authorities say the expulsions follow extensive intelligence work tracing links between several transnational crime networks and a surge in intimidation and arson incidents directed at South Asian business owners.
“These actions demonstrate that we are taking decisive steps to protect communities from organized crime,” said a senior CBSA official. “We will continue to pursue and remove individuals who pose a threat to public safety.”
While the agency withheld details such as the identities or nationalities of those deported, citing federal privacy laws, law enforcement sources confirm that the individuals were part of an ongoing investigation into extortion attempts demanding cryptocurrency payments from local shop owners and restaurateurs.
The coordinated enforcement effort comes amid months of fear within the Punjabi business community, particularly in Surrey, Abbotsford, and the Fraser Valley, where a string of violent incidents has been reported since early 2025. In several cases, when business owners refused to comply with monetary demands, their properties were vandalized or set on fire.
One of the most widely reported cases involved Kap’s Café in Surrey, which has been targeted multiple times despite heightened police patrols.
The B.C. Extortion Task Force, a 40-member unit formed earlier this year, has so far identified over 70 foreign nationals under immigration review for potential criminal ties or violations of admissibility laws. Officials describe the latest deportations as the first wave of enforcement actions resulting from the task force’s investigations.
Community leaders have welcomed the move but say more needs to be done to ensure safety. “People are scared to open their shops or speak up,” said a Surrey-based business association representative. “We appreciate the government’s response, but the problem is far from over.”
Investigators continue to examine how overseas crime syndicates may be coordinating the extortion efforts through encrypted online networks. Authorities urge business owners receiving threats to immediately contact police rather than attempting to negotiate with the perpetrators.
Federal officials say additional arrests and deportations are expected as the probe deepens, emphasizing that dismantling the organized network remains a national security priority.
