An RCMP epaulette is seen in Edmonton, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Authorities in British Columbia are acknowledging the fear and disappointment among the province's South Asian community amid a spate of extortions and violence that has seen homes and businesses sprayed with bullets.

There have been dozens of threats, and some of the associated attacks have been depicted on social media by the apparent perpetrators. But there have only been a handful of arrests in B.C.

"I understand there may be frustration that there have not been more arrests," Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger told a news conference Wednesday, as the government and RCMP launched a provincial task force dedicated to investigating the threats and violence.

"There have been arrests made, but I can assure that investigations are in progress."

John Brewer, assistant commissioner of the provincial RCMP, told the news conference that police do not believe many of the attacks were committed by the same crime group or individuals, and while some may have been co-ordinated, others could have been "copied as a crime of opportunity."

Kreiger called the crimes targeting the South Asian community "deeply concerning."

"No person or family or business in our province should be threatened in this way, and we must do everything we can to stop these crimes," the minister said.

Krieger said RCMP will lead the new task force, which will consist of 40 members from enforcement agencies throughout B.C. as they try to stop the extortion wave.

She said the task force will expand thecross-jurisdictional reach of police and support co-ordinated investigations to bring those making the threats and committing violence to justice.

"This task force formalizes the sharing of intelligence about extortion threats, allowing police to be more effective in investigating organized crime activity," she said.

Extortionists have threatened business owners and individuals across the Lower Mainland. Among the cases was a Surrey business on 80 Avenue hit by gunfire in August, in a case investigators believe was extortion related.

In July, a video filmed inside the vehicle of a shooter showed them opening fire with a handgun on Kap's Cafe, a Surrey restaurant linked to Indian comic and television host Kapil Sharma. The business was shot up again the next month.

Such crimes have gripped communities across Canada, and some police have accused the India-based Lawrence Bishnoi gang of involvement, setting off a call from B.C. Premier David Eby and others to have the gang declared a terrorist organization.

The mayor of Surrey announced a $250,000 reward fund on Monday for information leading to convictions for the extortions in that city where police say they're investigating 44 such cases, including 27 that involved shootings.

Brewer said on Tuesday that the task force will bring dedicated and expanded resources, intelligence and tactical skills to help find those responsible for the violence, intimidation and fear.

He couldn't say how many cases it would be investigating as the extortion files were constantly being updated and triaged through the new task force.

"We hear and understand the public's frustration in stopping, identifying and charging those responsible," Brewer said.

"In order for these investigations to be successful, we can't speak to specific work that has been done to date, but please know that progress is being made."

He noted that there are files before Crown counsel for charge approval, adding that there have been six related arrests made in recent weeks as a result of officers executing four search warrants.

Brewer said the task force is connected to local, regional and national law enforcement, as well as the Canadian Border Service Agency, which he said "underscores the international elements of these crimes."

"While some of the victimology and the tactics, threats and intimidations are similar, we do not believe that many of these cases have been committed by the same individuals or organized crime groups," he said.

"Each investigation is unique and requires a tailored approach to advance these investigations. Whether co-ordinated or planned, or copied as a crime of opportunity, it is not acceptable and you will be held responsible."

Brewer said authorities are encouraging victims not to comply with extortion threats and report any instances to police or Crime Stoppers.

"We continue to ask anyone who has yet to come forward to please do so. Your information is extremely important to us to continue our investigations," he said. "Keep anything sent to you for evidentiary purposes and please call your local police immediately to report any extortion activity."

The province also announced Wednesday that $200,000 from the federal government's Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund would help municipal police departments investigate extortion cases.

Another $100,000 will be released through the same program to allow B.C. Crime Stoppers to continue its public awareness campaign to encourage people to report the threats and help police identify suspects.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2025.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2025