80 victims have reported to Surrey Police, with a total of 101 extortion files and 44 shots fired incidents

SURREY Police Service Chief Constable Norm Lipinski issued the following special message on extortions in Surrey:

SURREY has experienced a deeply concerning rise in extortion attempts since June. Year-to-date, 80 victims have reported to Surrey Police Service (SPS), with a total of 101 extortion files and 44 shots fired incidents related to extortion in our city. These numbers are alarming, and they have understandably caused fear, frustration, and anger within our community.

I want you to know this: SPS hears you, and we continue to take decisive action. Over the past five months, we have made extensive, focused efforts to confront this urgent issue. While the challenge is far from over, we are making meaningful progress with our law enforcement partners, but we continue to need your assistance and support.

Strengthening Investigations and Partnerships

In July, we launched the SPS Extortion Investigations Team, dedicated to Surrey-based extortion files not taken on by the BC Extortion Task Force. The Task Force—led by the BC RCMP—unites police resources from Abbotsford, Delta, Surrey, Metro Vancouver Transit Police, RCMP, Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC (CFSEU-BC), and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). SPS has assigned 15 sworn and civilian staff to the BC Extortion Task Force.

SPS is using cameras to provide 24/7 surveillance at some high-risk locations, and additional cameras are being acquired to expand coverage. In addition, our “Project Assurance” teams are providing dedicated daily patrols to identified target locations.

We have also met with police leaders from Abbotsford, Edmonton and Peel Region, who are facing similar threats. We are sharing intelligence, investigative strategies, and best practices to further develop and refine our approach.

Supporting Victims and Their Families

Protecting and supporting victims remains one of our highest priorities, and we have implemented several important measures:

• Detailed, personalized safety plans for victims and their families
• A dedicated victim management team made up of SPS Victim Services staff and police officers
• Regular contact with victims to support safety and information sharing, and to provide tools and resources to deal with the trauma of being victimized
• Proactive teams dedicated to patrolling extortion target locations.

I have also personally met with several victims to hear directly how these threats and associated violence are impacting community members.

Keeping the Community Informed

We recognize how important transparency is. While the integrity of investigations must be protected, SPS continues to provide as much information as possible. This has included dozens of news releases related to extortions and media interviews (English and Punjabi), attendance at three community forums, a public awareness campaign to promote the Surrey Extortion Tip Line and reward fund, and providing updates during public Surrey Police Board meetings. SPS officers have also visited more than 1,000 businesses to provide information and encourage reporting.

Results

To date, seven individuals have been charged with extortion-related offences, three individuals have been removed from Canada by CBSA and 78 are under CBSA investigation (CBSA news release), a number of search warrants have been executed, and several suspects have been arrested and questioned to advance our investigations.

Some community members have asked why some individuals are arrested and later released. Under the Criminal Code, police may detain someone for up to 24 hours if there are reasonable grounds. In provinces like BC where charge approval is required by Crown Counsel, when additional evidence is required to support charges, police are legally obligated to release the individual after 24 hours, pending further investigation. This is part of due process and ensures that charges are upheld in court.

Police Resources

Many residents have also asked whether SPS has the resources required to combat this surge, while we continue to provide daily police service to a busy city that generates approximately 200,000 calls for service each year. The reality is that a sudden and significant crime wave—especially one with transnational elements—places strain on any municipal police service, particularly during a policing transition.

This is precisely why specialized provincial and national units exist. We are fortunate to be supported by the BC Extortion Task Force, CBSA, CFSEU-BC, and other agencies with expertise in organized and transnational crime. We also welcome the RCMP’s recent announcement of surge resources—including Emergency Response Teams, Police Dog Services, CFSEU-BC, and BC Highway Patrol —to further bolster extortion prevention, deterrence, and intelligence gathering in BC.

In addition to the support we are receiving, our Frontline officers, investigators, and support staff are working, quite literally, around the clock to address this public safety crisis.

Moving Forward Together

Extortions are relatively new and deeply troubling threat in Canada—one of the most significant we have seen in recent years. These criminals rely on fear as their primary weapon. They want residents to feel vulnerable, isolated, and reluctant to come forward.

We cannot let that happen.

The strength of our response depends on solidarity between police and the community. When we stand together—sharing information, reporting suspicious activity, and supporting victims—we make it far harder for criminals to operate in our city. We have heard people say that they have information, but they are scared to come forward. Police need to hear from you – that is the only way we will be successful. We have safeguards in place to protect those who share information, and we will handle your concerns with care and discretion.

SPS remains steadfast in our commitment to protect this community. We will continue to pursue offenders, support victims, and keep the public informed. In turn, we ask that you continue to report any threats, violence, or suspicious activity to police, as well as any information you may have.

We cannot allow criminals to divide our community or undermine the trust between the police and the public. If we stand together, we will confront—and overcome—this urgent threat to our safety and well-being.

Report an extortion in Surrey: 604-599-0502

Surrey Extortion Tip Line: 236-485-5149
A reward fund of $250,000 is available for information leading to conviction

Learn more: www.surreypolice.ca/extortions