VANCOUVER – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced that it has successfully removed three individuals from the country as part of its ongoing efforts within the British Columbia (B.C.) Extortion Task Force. This specialized unit was established earlier in the year to tackle the increasing issues of extortion and violence in the province.
The CBSA, in its recent statement, revealed that it is also investigating an additional 78 foreign nationals who may be inadmissible to Canada. These individuals are believed to be connected to a series of shootings and extortion attempts that have plagued various communities in B.C.
The B.C. Extortion Task Force is composed of a collaboration of investigators from the CBSA, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), gang enforcement units, and several other local police departments. This multifaceted approach aims to combat the alarming rise in extortion cases that have specifically targeted South Asian business owners within the province.
Nina Patel, the regional director general for the CBSA’s Pacific region, highlighted the essential role that the agency's teams play in disrupting organized transnational criminal groups. Her remarks underscore the commitment of the CBSA to uphold the safety and security of communities by addressing these serious criminal activities.
So far, the task force has resulted in multiple arrests and several convictions related to the crimes being investigated. Some of these offenses have been linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, an organization based in India that has recently been classified as a terrorist entity by the Canadian federal government. This designation allows authorities to further pursue and dismantle criminal operations that pose a threat to public safety.
The investigations are ongoing, and the CBSA continues to work alongside various law enforcement agencies to bring more criminals to justice. As the task force delves deeper into the network of extortion attempts and related violence, it aims to reassure the public and local business owners that proactive measures are being taken to ensure their safety.
In summary, the B.C. Extortion Task Force represents a significant effort by Canadian authorities to address and combat the organized crime that is disrupting communities in British Columbia. By removing individuals deemed inadmissible and investigating numerous foreign nationals, the task force seeks to protect vulnerable populations and maintain order in the region.
