Police resources are being stretched thin by a spike in extortion cases involving gun violence, arson, and recent arrests. The year 2025 witnessed a surge in extortion-related crimes, with businesses and individuals in Surrey, Delta, and Abbotsford receiving threatening messages demanding money to avoid violence or property damage, particularly targeting the South Asian community.
Surrey alone reported over 100 extortion incidents this year, with many linked to shootings or gun-related incidents. Criminals have been repeatedly contacting and pressuring more than 75 victims for large sums of money. The situation escalated when Kap’s Café, associated with a Bollywood star, faced multiple shootings and had to temporarily close due to the attacks.
According to Surrey Police Service Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton, criminals have extorted tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars from victims. In Abbotsford, there were 65 extortion reports between November 2023 and December 2025, with only nine involving gunfire.
Authorities established a special task force to address the issue, and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke offered a $250,000 reward for information leading to convictions. The federal government, led by Premier David Eby, has vowed to collaborate with stakeholders to combat these crimes and ensure justice for victims, emphasizing the need for arrests, prosecutions, and incarceration of the perpetrators.