Rising Threat Across B.C. Communities

Police in Surrey, Abbotsford and Delta have reported more than 100 extortion incidents in 2025, marking one of the most significant crime waves in recent years. The targets are primarily business owners who receive anonymous demands for money, often followed by shootings or arson if they refuse. Authorities say the pattern is now widespread across British Columbia and connected provinces.

How the Scheme Typically Unfolds

Victims often report receiving a phone call, text message or letter instructing them to pay large sums to avoid harm. If the demand is ignored, shots are frequently fired at homes or storefronts, leaving shattered glass and rising fear within local business communities. Police say the tactic is designed to intimidate victims into silence and compliance.

Early Incidents in Alberta

The trend first drew national attention in October 2023 in Edmonton, where police documented extortion, arson and drive-by shootings targeting home builders. Investigators at the time noted many victims were from South Asian business networks. Edmonton Police later reported evidence that some suspects coordinated through WhatsApp, demanding hundreds of thousands of dollars.

First Reports in British Columbia

By November 2023, similar incidents emerged in Surrey. Gunfire struck the Payal Business Centre, prompting RCMP to issue public warnings urging business owners to come forward. The same month, the fatal shooting of Edmonton resident Harry Uppal revealed links to the Brothers Keepers, a B.C.-based organized crime group.

Spread to Ontario and National Coordination

In December 2023, police in the Greater Toronto Area reported extortion attempts involving threats, vandalism and firearms offences. Peel Regional Police formed an Extortion Investigative Task Force, signaling the issue had moved beyond localized incidents to a broader criminal network operating across provinces.

Community Calls for Action

January 2024 brought the first major public response in Surrey, where hundreds gathered at a local temple to call for greater police presence and support for victims. Officials urged targeted individuals not to pay extortionists and to work directly with law enforcement. However, reports of continued threats persisted across multiple sectors.

Industry Groups Sound the Alarm

By mid-2024, the trucking industry raised concerns after several company owners reported repeated threats and property damage. Some business owners described gasoline attacks, vandalism and repeated phone demands for payment within strict deadlines. Police continued to warn that paying extortionists emboldens further attempts.

High-Profile Attacks Draw International Attention

In September 2024, gunfire and arson targeted the Victoria-area home of Punjabi singer AP Dhillon. Media later reported an online claim of responsibility linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a criminal network based in India. Federal police have since stated that several key extortion operations in Canada show links to Indian-based organized groups.

Federal Allegations of State-Linked Activity

In October 2024, RCMP leadership alleged the “highest levels” of the Indian government had connections to violent intimidation operations on Canadian soil, including extortion. Attempts to share evidence with Indian law enforcement have reportedly stalled, further complicating international cooperation.

Escalation into 2025

From June to August 2025, shootings increased across Surrey, with multiple cafés, trucking businesses and private residences struck by gunfire. Some locations, including Kap’s Café, were targeted repeatedly. Property damage and fear of injury escalated across business districts.

Provincial Response and Task Force Creation

On September 25, 2025, the Province of British Columbia formed a joint provincial task force led by the RCMP, involving municipal police and federal border agencies. Shortly after, the federal government designated the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization, granting additional enforcement tools including asset seizure and terrorism-related charges.

Recent Arrests and Ongoing Investigations

Police announced multiple arrests in October 2025 related to shootings and arson cases, though several suspects were released pending further investigation. On Oct. 7, a Surrey woman became the first confirmed injury in an extortion-related shooting, intensifying public concern. By early November, the Canada Border Services Agency reported reviewing 78 foreign nationals and removing three from the country.

Continuing Challenges Ahead

Officials say dismantling the networks behind the extortion wave remains complex due to cross-border coordination, encrypted communication and influence from criminal groups abroad. Community leaders and police continue to urge victims to report threats immediately, emphasizing that silence enables further violence.

The post B.C. Extortion Wave Traced to Transnational Crime Networks first appeared on Maple News Wire.

Red Deer Reports Major Crime Severity Decline

A new Statistics Canada report shows Red Deer recorded a 20% drop in its crime severity index between 2023 and 2024 — the city’s most significant decline in over a decade and the second-largest among Canada’s 40 census metropolitan areas.

StatsCan Data Highlights Local Shift

The data, released last week, places Red Deer just behind Kamloops, B.C., which saw a 21% decline. The crime severity index (CSI), a tool used by StatsCan to measure both the volume and seriousness of police-reported crime, now stands at 118.7 in Red Deer — still higher than the national average of 77.9, but notably down from a peak of 222.1 in 2017.

RCMP Attribute Drop to Targeted Initiatives

Const. Cory Riggs of Red Deer RCMP credits the improvement to focused community policing and strategic crime prevention. “We’ve seen meaningful declines in assaults, thefts, and break-ins,” Riggs said. In 2024 alone, the city reported 369 fewer break-ins compared to the previous year.

One major initiative making an impact is the virtual opioid dependency program, launched as a pilot in early 2024. The project teams officers with paramedics to patrol high-risk areas, offering immediate support and referrals for individuals with addictions.

“Crimes such as theft and break-and-enters are often tied to drug dependencies,” Riggs explained. “This approach gives us a way to break that cycle.”

Experts Urge Deeper Analysis

Despite the positive trend, some experts caution against drawing simple conclusions. Dan Jones, Chair of Justice Studies at NorQuest College, noted that fluctuations in the CSI can reflect changes in court sentencing and reporting habits as much as actual crime levels.

“Sometimes, fewer reports don’t mean less crime,” said Jones. “We need to ask: Are people calling police less because they don’t trust the system or don’t think it will help?”

Still, he acknowledged Red Deer’s improvement is remarkable compared to Edmonton’s 5% drop over the same period.

Ongoing Focus Despite Progress

While the CSI remains above average, RCMP officials stress that the 15-year low reflects progress. With a population of roughly 112,000, Red Deer remains Alberta’s largest RCMP-policed urban centre.

“Things are moving in a good direction,” Riggs said. “But it’s important we keep adjusting based on real-time community data and stay proactive.”

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The post Red Deer Crime Severity Sees Steepest Drop in 15 Years first appeared on Maple News Wire.

A City Shaken by Fear
The disturbing footage showed a shooting outside a local business and spread quickly across platforms like Meta, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok. Although it was eventually removed, the damage had already been done.
“This wasn’t just an attack on one person,” Locke said. “It was meant to send a message—a message of fear that now echoes through our entire community.”
She recalled her visit to Kap’s Cafe, where business owners and customers, once excited about the vibrant atmosphere, now speak in whispers of worry. “That fear is real,” she emphasized. “I felt it firsthand.”

A Blistering Critique of Big Tech
Locke did not hold back in her criticism of social media giants. She condemned the platforms for allowing criminal groups to spread fear and violence unchecked, while often blocking legitimate news content.
“Corporate responsibility and basic decency should not be optional,” she said. “Yet, while news is restricted, criminals are using these platforms like digital megaphones—to recruit, threaten, and glorify brutality.”

Three Key Demands from Tech Companies
To stop the cycle, Locke laid out clear steps for social media companies:
Ban permanently any accounts tied to criminal organizations.

Remove content that promotes, supports, or glorifies violence.

Launch real-time detection tools to remove harmful material before it spreads.

“These aren’t suggestions,” Locke warned. “They’re necessary measures. We need a true partnership—between residents, businesses, police, and the very tech platforms that shape public conversation.”

A Call for Digital Responsibility
Mayor Locke’s message is crystal clear: the digital world can no longer be a safe haven for those who peddle fear and violence. If tech platforms want to be part of the community, she argues, they must also help protect it.
And for the people of Surrey, that change can’t come soon enough.

The post Surrey Mayor Slams Social Media for Hosting Crime Videos first appeared on Maple News Wire.

Sweeping Reforms Unveiled by Public Safety Minister

In a move to tighten Canada’s border controls, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree introduced Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act, in Ottawa on Tuesday. The proposed legislation, still under parliamentary consideration, aims to address a broad range of security challenges—from organized crime and fentanyl trafficking to financial crimes and immigration enforcement.

Expanded Powers to Protect the Public

The bill grants law enforcement expanded authority to act without a warrant in time-sensitive situations, such as intervening in child exploitation cases. It also allows investigators greater access to Canada Post mail for criminal investigations by amending the Canada Post Corporation Act, empowering both police and postal inspectors to examine mail under judicial authorization.

Financial Controls to Combat Money Laundering

A key provision in the bill imposes new reporting and restriction requirements on cash transactions exceeding $10,000, targeting money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Department officials clarify that routine transactions, like home purchases through banks, are exempt. These changes aim to close loopholes exploited by criminal enterprises while minimizing impact on lawful financial activities.

Border and Immigration Overhaul

The legislation introduces broad powers for Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers to inspect transportation and storage facilities and gives the Canadian Coast Guard a role in national security patrols and intelligence analysis. It also proposes enhanced immigration controls, including the ability to suspend, cancel, or deny immigration applications, reflecting an increasingly security-focused approach to border management.

Context: U.S. Pressure and Cross-Border Tensions

The legislation comes amid ongoing U.S. pressure on Canada to bolster border enforcement. President Donald Trump previously cited Canadian inaction on drug trafficking as a justification for imposing controversial tariffs. Anandasangaree emphasized North American cooperation at Tuesday’s press conference, announcing plans to brief Trump’s border advisor, Tom Homan, on the bill later that day.

Implementation and Interagency Coordination

If passed, the bill would mandate interdepartmental coordination across Public Safety, CBSA, and other federal agencies. The government has already committed $1.3 billion to modernize border surveillance, including expanded drone and helicopter patrols. Officials describe Bill C-2 as a keystone in Canada’s national security and public safety strategy moving forward.

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The post Liberals Table Strong Borders Act Targeting Crime, Cash, and Immigration first appeared on Maple News Wire.