The Province, B.C. RCMP and municipal police agencies are launching a specialized task force to strengthen investigations into the extortion threats targeting families and businesses in the South Asian community. “The Province is standing up a new provincial task force that builds on the ongoing work of existing joint forces operations and brings in new partners under a single command structure led by the RCMP,” said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “This comprehensive approach will expand cross-jurisdictional reach, supporting co-ordinated investigations to bring criminals threatening and perpetrating violence in our communities to justice.” The extortion task force will consist of 40 members drawn from various policing agencies, including the B.C. RCMP, Abbotsford Police Department, Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – B.C. (CFSEU-BC), Delta Police Department, Metro Vancouver Transit Police, Surrey Police Service and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The task force will receive support from the federal RCMP National Co-ordination and Support Team (NCST), which offers co-ordination and information sharing on extortion cases with law-enforcement agencies in affected provinces including B.C., Alberta and Ontario. Led by the B.C. RCMP, the task force will stand apart from existing units due to its diverse membership and provincewide mandate, with its primary focus on co-ordination efforts in targeting organized-crime activity involved in extortion-related threats. “The B.C. RCMP is committed to advancing the investigative efforts taken to date and enhancing the co-ordination and collaboration of the joint forces operation,” said John Brewer, assistant commissioner, B.C. RCMP. “This dedicated and expanded team brings in additional resources, intelligence and tactical skills from multiple law-enforcement agencies, with the common goals of protecting our communities from these extortions, while pursuing and holding those responsible for the violence, intimidation and fear accountable.” The Province is also making $200,000 available through the federal government’s Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund (GGVAF) to help municipal police departments investigate extortion cases. The funding will assist municipal police operations in their community-driven efforts to disrupt and investigate extortion-related matters. These investments are in addition to more than $100 million the Province commits annually to anti-gang enforcement and intelligence programs that target and disrupt organized crime, gang activity, illegal guns and the drug trade. To sustain public-education efforts, the Province has provided an additional $100,000 from the GGVAF to continue the B.C. Crime Stoppers public-awareness campaign encouraging people to report extortion threats to help police identify and stop those responsible. This additional funding will support six more weeks of the campaign, helping individuals, families and business owners stay informed and safe. Quick Facts: The B.C. Crime Stoppers extortion public-awareness campaign was developed in consultation with individuals with a deep knowledge of extortion, experience in policing, and lived experience within the South Asian community. The campaign will be available in English and Punjabi and will feature radio, digital-media and SkyTrain advertisements. From June 25, 2025, until Sept. 5, 2025, the campaign generated more than 4.7 million views, and police have reported an increase in phone calls related to extortion attempts.