In a significant action against organised crime, the Canadian authorities have deported three foreign nationals accused of running an extortion network that targeted business owners of Punjabi origin across British Columbia. The operation marks the first major breakthrough by the BC Extortion Task Force, set up earlier this year to counter rising threats against the South Asian business community.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on November 7 confirmed the deportations following an investigation that linked the accused to a wave of threats, intimidation and arson incidents aimed at Punjabi-owned establishments in Surrey, the Lower Mainland, and the Fraser Valley. Officials said 78 more persons are under investigation for suspected links to the same network and could face deportation or criminal charges.
According to CBSA and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the extortion racket operated systematically—demanding payments through social media or encrypted apps, often in cryptocurrency. When victims refused to comply, they faced violent retaliation, including firebombing and gunfire directed at their properties.
Among the targeted businesses was the well-known Kapil Sharma's - Kap’s Cafe in Surrey, which faced repeated extortion threats and attacks earlier this year. The growing pattern of violence prompted the creation of the BC Extortion Task Force, which includes the RCMP, CBSA and multiple local police departments.
While the authorities have not disclosed the nationalities of the three deported individuals, they confirmed that both the victims and several suspects share Punjabi roots. “Privacy laws prevent us from sharing identities, but this action reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring public safety and community confidence,” said a CBSA spokesperson.
Investigators believe that many victims hesitated to report threats due to fear of retaliation, allowing such criminal networks to spread unchecked. Police have urged business owners to report every incident, no matter how minor, as it helps track and dismantle these transnational groups.
Meanwhile, Punjabi community representatives welcomed the deportations but expressed concern that the extortion culture, which mirrors similar patterns seen in Punjab, is spreading among gangs operating from Canada. They have called for stronger coordination between Canadian and Indian authorities to curb cross-border funding and gang links.
