As bullets fly, Surrey mayor calls for 150 more police to tackle extortion

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A file photo of Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG

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The extortion cases gripping Surrey have typically involved people calling South Asian-Canadian business owners to demand a large sum of money. When the victim says they cannot or will not pay, their home or business has been sprayed with gunfire.

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Earlier this month, a woman was shot in the torso while she was inside a home. It is believed to be the first extortion-related shooting resulting in injuries. CityNews reported the woman was a 26-year-old international student. About 20 other students lived in the house as well.

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On Friday, Surrey police Chief Const. Norm Lipinski said in a statement his department is “adequately resourced” to manage files in the city, “however additional police resources are always welcome, particularly when there is a growing crime trend that involves organized crime and extends well beyond the boundaries of the city we police.”

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In a statement, B.C. RCMP said it was aware of the request made by the city. It highlighted the “extensive” RCMP-led extortion task force that is already in place, which includes CFSEU officers, as well as police from other jurisdictions.

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“There are also additional resources from these partners, police departments and other specialized units that are taking on tasks in support of the task force,” said the statement. “Arrests have been made, charges have been laid, and we continue to collect the information and evidence necessary to hold those responsible accountable.”

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A bullet hole into the window of a home where an extortion-related shooting injured a woman in Surrey. Photo by NICK PROCAYLO /PNG

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The B.C. extortion task force, formed in September, includes 40 members from various policing agencies, including the B.C. RCMP, the Surrey, Abbotsford and Delta police departments, CFSEU, Metro Vancouver transit police, and the Canada Border Services Agency. The task force receives support from a federal RCMP team for co-ordination and information-sharing on extortion cases in other provinces.

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A vehicle arson investigation by the task force this summer led to the arrests of two people. They have been charged with arson and possession of stolen property.

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There is also an active RCMP joint force operation, which was formed in January and includes police from the RCMP’s Surrey provincial operations support unit, Abbotsford police, RCMP federal policing and the B.C. RCMP major crime section. That group continues to work with the extortion task force, according to B.C. RCMP.

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An investigation led by the joint force operation into a 2024 extortion-related case resulted in charges of arson and discharge a firearm with intent against two people earlier this month.

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Surrey police have also made arrests in extortion-related cases.

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