Live updates | Eby says $4M from feds will help 'chase down' gangsters involved in extortion, drugs

federal soldier public refuge government minister, B.C. Premiere, speak on crime, extortion threats

Pattern of extortions targeted at B.C.’s South Asian community comes to light

Extortion cases are piling up in Surrey — but what can be done?

RCMP brass says police were ‘on the back foot’ in dealing with extortion, but have since caught up

B.C. Launches task force to tackle rise in extortion, shootings in South Asian community

City of Surrey puts up $250,000 reward fund to combat extortion

Eby said the provincial and federal governments’ "shared goal" is to disrupt, prevent and end the threat of extortion.

He reiterated the federal government’s $4-million commitment to fund a task force to "chase down those gangsters" involved in extortion and drug dealing.

"They don’t pay any attention to the boundaries between communities for their illegal activities," Eby said.

The task force will assist local authorities to ensure a regional approach, according to Eby.

B.C. Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger kicked off the news conference around 11:10 a.m. PT.

She said the morning meeting included “very productive conversations.”

“This is to stop extortion threats that are threatening our communities,” she said.

She said the province has been working diligently to tackle the extortion issue and that they have been making “meaningful progress.”

She said extortion is happening across the country.

“Confronting this issue takes an all-hands-on-deck approach,” she said, adding more needs to be done to break the cycle of fear.

According to Delhi Police, 28-year-old Bandhu Maan Singh Sekhon from Ludhiana, Punjab, has been arrested in connection with shots fired at Kap's Cafe in Surrey, which is owned by popular Indian TV host and comedian Kapil Sharma.

There have been three shootings aimed at the café in Surrey, as well as multiple extortion attempts targeting Sharma.

Delhi Police made the arrest earlier this week.

Police allege Sekhon fled to India following "a crackdown by Surrey Police in which several of his associates were arrested."

Investigators in India allege Sekhon had travelled to Canada on an employment visa and came into contact with members of the Goldy Dhillon gang.

He is suspected of providing "logistics support" for the shooting at Kap's Cafe.

Police say Sekhon is also wanted in an international arms trafficking case in India.

Officials gave opening remarks before going into a closed-door meeting Friday morning.

Eby said the discussion will address any gaps, challenges or lack of resources that may be preventing officials from stopping the extortion threats.

The premier said work already underway on the issue includes a provincial task force with members from various law enforcement agencies, led by the B.C. RCMP.

He said between the Surrey RCMP and new Surrey Police Service, there have never been more police on the ground in Surrey, the second largest city in B.C.

Hi, I'm Pinki Wong, reporting from Surrey, where Premier David Eby is currently hosting the first trilateral meeting on extortion.

Among the people here are the federal Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree, B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma, Nina Patel from the Canada Border Services Agency, the mayors of Surrey and Abbotsford, and police force representatives from those cities.

In Eby’s opening remarks, he said it’s crucial all levels of government come together on this important issue.

He announced the federal and provincial governments will each be providing $500,000 to police for victim support. He said the funds will be used to ensure families get up-to-date information and help creating a safety plan, if required.

Eby said a further $4 million in funding will go toward a team focused on drug trafficking and gangs south of the Fraser River.

“We all are here [standing] for the community, we are united in our mission to ensure that those responsible are arrested, indicted and jailed,” Eby said.

RCMP brass says police were ‘on the back foot’ in dealing with extortion, but have since caught up

Assistant Commissioner John Brewer says it will take a team effort to put an end to the extortion crisis. He admits police were behind in dealing with the issue, but says that's no longer true.

In cases we've seen hither, extortionists typically middleman victims with a letter of the alphabet, a speech sound call in, or a WhatsApp message and demand a large amount of cash, usually from a business owner. The person often threatens their target’s safety and livelihood unless they pay up.

The extortionists have targeted homes and storefronts with gunfire to those who don't pay. In some cases, there have been arsons.

Anandasangaree said in opening remarks the theme for Friday would be underlining safety and security for individuals and the community as a whole.

“It’s essential that we restore the sense of confidence,” he said, adding residents have lost faith in the policing system, governance and prosecution.

We’ll be following a news conference in Surrey, B.C., hosted by Premier David Eby, along with federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and other officials, announcing a government response to extortion threats in the province and support for victims.

Extortion has been on the rise in three Lower Mainland cities — with more than 100 incidents reported in Surrey, Abbotsford and Delta this year alone. Most often, the crime targets members of South Asian communities, who are receiving threats and demands for money. In some of the incidents, shots have been fired at people’s homes and businesses.

"It's terrifying for families," Eby said during opening remarks Friday.

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