Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): Canadian authorities have intensified their crackdown on a wave of extortion cases in British Columbia, with investigators examining the involvement of 111 foreign nationals as part of a wide-ranging probe spanning multiple provinces. Officials have made it clear that refugee or asylum status will not shield suspects from criminal or immigration operation.
In an operational update released late Wednesday (India time), the British Columbia Extortion Task Force said it is sifting through vast amounts of evidence, including hundreds of hours of CCTV footage, to dismantle networks believed to be behind threats and extortion attempts targeting communities in the Lower Mainland. Several of the individuals under scrutiny are suspected to be of Punjabi origin.
The task force, established on September 17, 2025, has taken over 32 extortion-related cases from different police jurisdictions across the region. Investigators are reviewing physical, digital and forensic material to identify patterns, establish links between incidents and pinpoint organised groups allegedly coordinating the crimes.
Authorities said newly reported extortion complaints are continuously being assessed for connections to existing cases, while the task force also provides operational support to local police departments across British Columbia.
A key component of the investigation involves close coordination with national policing agencies and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), particularly in cases where immigration violations may be involved. Since the task force began operations, officers have obtained close to 100 court authorisations and carried out multiple search warrants in the Lower Mainland, the Southeast District and parts of Alberta. These efforts have led to arrests, searches and the collection of witness statements to preserve evidence.
So far, seven people have been formally charged as a direct result of the task force’s work, with additional charges laid by municipal police through parallel and joint investigations.
BC RCMP Assistant Commissioner John Brewer described extortion cases as complex and evidence-heavy, requiring painstaking analysis to meet legal thresholds. He said investigators are reviewing more than 1,000 exhibits as part of their efforts, stressing that public safety remains the driving priority.
The CBSA confirmed it is examining 111 foreign nationals for possible inadmissibility under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. As of January 20, 2026, nine individuals linked to the investigations have already been removed from the country. The agency reiterated that filing a refugee claim does not protect individuals who break Canadian law.
Local police forces continue to pursue their own inquiries, setting up specialised teams and sharing intelligence with the task force and the RCMP’s National Coordination and Support Team to avoid overlap and strengthen cases.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing and extend beyond provincial borders, with officials emphasising that those responsible for intimidation and extortion will be pursued through every available legal and enforcement channel.
