Over 100 BC extortion cases in 2025 show international links to India-based gangs, making investigations difficult, says former RCMP officer.
Global Links Complicate B.C. Extortion Investigations, Expert Warns
Rising Violence Across the Province
British Columbia continues to grapple with a surge in extortion threats, demands, and violent incidents—two years after the first report signaled what would become a province-wide pattern. As of Nov. 7, police have documented more than 100 extortion-related cases in 2025, underscoring the persistence of the crisis.
The most recent incident occurred on Nov. 8, when a shooting in South Surrey was confirmed by police to be linked to an extortion attempt. The province will host a town hall on Thursday night in Surrey to address public concerns.
International Networks Behind the Threats
A significant portion of the extortion activity has been tied to the India-based Bishnoi gang, which has publicly claimed responsibility for some shootings in Canada. Authorities say evidence also connects the group to individuals linked with Indian government agencies, further complicating the investigative landscape.
Former RCMP officer and current Kwantlen Polytechnic University criminology professor Galib Bhayani says the cross-border nature of these crimes makes them extremely difficult to dismantle.
“These extortion attempts are happening from India,” Bhayani told CBC’s The Early Edition. “Our relationship with India in terms of information sharing is not good. At other levels, it’s not good as well.”
A Strained Diplomatic Landscape
The challenges in cooperation stem from a breakdown in Canada–India relations over the past two years. Tensions escalated in 2023, when then–prime minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian government agents of involvement in the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara—allegations the Indian government rejected as politically motivated.
Diplomatic ties deteriorated further in 2024, with both countries expelling each other’s top diplomats.
In a major escalation, RCMP commissioner Michael Duheme said last year that the force had strong evidence pointing to the “highest levels” of the Indian government orchestrating violence on Canadian soil, including targeted murders, intimidation, and extortion. Attempts to share this evidence with Indian authorities were unsuccessful, he added.
Local Challenges and Cultural Complexity
Bhayani says many local police forces in B.C. lack experience with internationally coordinated extortion networks, which require substantial resources, specialized intelligence, and multilingual capabilities.
“The intimidation and the execution of these crimes are highly localized,” he said. “They often involve individuals who understand cultural norms, language, and business practices of the victims. Traditional policing is insufficient for this.”
Without strong international cooperation, Bhayani says police must rely heavily on domestic intelligence and community reporting.
Task Force Established but Details Limited
In September, the B.C. government announced a special RCMP-led extortion task force made up of 40 officers, investigators, and intelligence analysts from multiple agencies. The team is tasked with coordinating investigations across jurisdictions and addressing the rapidly evolving threat landscape.
Maple News Wire reached out to the RCMP for an update on ongoing investigations under the task force. A response was not received by publication time.
Province Seeks Public Reassurance
Officials say Thursday’s Surrey town hall aims to provide updates, address community fears, and outline safety measures. The event comes amid growing concerns about the scale of the extortion network and its reach into B.C.’s business community.
