In British Columbia, Public Safety Minister Garry Begg has revealed that police intelligence links numerous extortion cases affecting the South Asian community to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, operating out of India. This connection has prompted the provincial government to seek the gang's designation as a terrorist organization, which would enable Canadian authorities to freeze its assets and equip law enforcement with additional tools to combat its criminal activities.
On a recent Thursday, Begg announced that the provincial government would allocate $100,000 for a 60-day Crime Stoppers awareness campaign aimed at encouraging victims and witnesses of extortion to come forward. He emphasized the fear that currently permeates the community and stated that the campaign intends to alleviate these concerns. "If you are a victim of extortion, if you do receive a call, the most important thing you can do is report it to the police," Begg underscored, aiming to empower victims to take action.
Premier David Eby had previously indicated his intention to request the federal government to classify the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization. This designation would not only facilitate asset freezing but also provide law enforcement agencies with a broader scope of authority to combat such crimes effectively. According to Begg, the Bishnoi gang has made public claims linking them to several extortion cases within British Columbia.
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke expressed her profound support for the governmental actions, describing the extortion threats as "economic terrorism." She urged victims not to remain silent due to fear, reinforcing the importance of reporting all extortion threats. "The violence and intimidation our community faces are unacceptable,” Locke stated, highlighting the concerning rise in extortion attempts, threats, and associated violent incidents linked to gang activity.
Locke pointed out that many residents of Surrey are "too frightened to go to police" to report incidents of extortion. "Our community members must feel confident to report these crimes. Fear should never silence victims or witnesses,” she stressed, further encouraging open dialogue and reports of such crimes.
Local police previously noted that South Asian community members have been targeted for cash extortion through threats of violence or death. The Bishnoi gang is believed to have connections to these threats. Surrey Police Service Chief Const. Norm Lipinski mentioned that there have been 12 extortion files in the community since the start of the year, though he indicated that these cases have not yet advanced to prosecution. "We feel that is under-reported," Lipinski acknowledged in relation to the number of extortion cases being investigated.
In nearby Abbotsford, BC, police confirmed they were investigating cases related to the Bishnoi gang, particularly involving affluent members of the South Asian community. Last weekend, community members gathered to address the issue, and local police reported a noticeable increase in complaints about threats communicated through letters, calls, and online messages.
Eby stated on Wednesday that British Columbia is in communication with Ontario and Alberta, as they experience similar extortion issues. He urged additional provincial support in the push to classify the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization, believing that a cohesive approach would expedite federal action. Eby added, "We hope they're able to move very quickly to support police by declaring this organization (and) any other allegedly involved organizations in this designation, so that police have the tools that they need to end this conduct as quickly as possible."
This ongoing issue illustrates the significant challenges posed to communities by organized crime and the steps being taken by provincial and local authorities to combat these threats effectively.
