News release

RCMP surge resources to support extortion suppression and enforcement

November 13, 2025 - British Columbia, British Columbia
From: British Columbia RCMP

Content

BC RCMP is committed and providing additional resources in support of extortion investigations.

In September 2025, a specialized BC Extortion Task Force was launched to strengthen investigations into the extortion threats and violence targeting families and businesses in the South Asian community.

The BC Extortion Task Force’s primary role is to conduct investigations with the goal of identifying those involved in the extortions and related violence, securing charge approval, bringing these matters before the courts and holding those responsible accountable. 

The additional resources will enhance the BC Extortion Task Force's ongoing collaboration and information sharing with partner agencies. Intelligence sharing between law enforcement partners across the province and the country is crucial to understanding linkages between files, establishing series and identifying suspects and suspect groups.

Police of jurisdiction continue to manage and direct extortion related investigations concurrent to Task Force efforts and sharing of best practices across law enforcement agencies supports the advancement of files. Investigative efforts to date have continued to reflect that these cases are not the work of a single individual or crime group.

Notwithstanding the focus on investigative efforts, a key pillar for the BC RCMP is providing support to the communities we serve through prevention. Given the scope and complexity of extortion related crime, these additional resources are being deployed to support investigations and supress extortion related criminal activity in our province.

These resources are in addition to the dedicated Task Force partners and include but are not limited to Emergency Response Teams and Police Dog Services throughout the province, Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC), and BC Highway Patrol.  Their focus will be on prevention, deterrence and intelligence gathering in support of ongoing investigations. 

“The deployment of these resources is strategic and intelligence-led through coordinated efforts with the Provincial Extortion Task Force, with the goal of supporting communities and the ongoing work of local police,” says Assistant Commissioner John Brewer, Criminal Operations Officer for the BC RCMP. “The additional personnel will be doing targeted proactive patrols, police stops, vehicle interdictions and intelligence gathering. The support from these additional resources will not be limited to any one city or area.”   

“We encourage members of the community to remain vigilant, report and all suspicious activity immediately to your local police,” says A/Commr. Brewer.  “We also want to acknowledge and thank those that have come forward to report extortion attempts and with information. Thank you for your trust and your assistance.”

If you are being extorted do not send money, contact local police immediately. 

Contacts