The shocking video of a home riddled with bullets in Brampton, a man casually wielding two pistols, served as a brutal awakening for many. But for communities across Canada, particularly those with large South Asian populations, this wasn’t a sudden threat – it was a terrifying escalation of a problem brewing for years.
Extortion isn’t about petty theft; it’s a calculated campaign of fear. Businesses and families are targeted, facing threats of violence, arson, and intimidation unless they pay exorbitant sums. The brazenness is chilling, with demands reaching as high as half a million dollars, often delivered after documenting the threat with video.
While local thugs carry out the terrifying acts on Canadian soil, the money rarely stays here. Investigations reveal a disturbing pattern: funds are frequently wired to powerful, organized crime groups operating in India, fueling a transnational network of terror.
The notorious Bishnoi gang in India has claimed responsibility for some of these rackets, but they are not alone. A web of other groups, and copycat operations, are exploiting vulnerabilities within Canadian communities.
The situation is particularly acute in areas like Brampton and Surrey, British Columbia. Surrey’s mayor recently passed a unanimous motion calling for a national state of emergency, citing 35 extortion incidents already this year. Residents live in constant fear, and the economic impact is devastating.
The call for help extends beyond increased police presence. Mayor Locke is demanding expedited deportations for non-citizens involved in these crimes, recognizing a critical flaw in the system that allows perpetrators to remain free while investigations unfold.
Peel Region, just west of Toronto, has been grappling with this surge for three years. Local police are diligently working to arrest and prosecute those involved, but they are hitting a wall. Tracing the flow of money – the lifeblood of these operations – requires resources beyond their reach.
Mayor Patrick Brown is urgently requesting dedicated staff from FINTRAC, Canada’s financial intelligence unit, be embedded directly within the Peel Regional Police. Currently, requests for financial information can take weeks, a delay that allows criminals to vanish or escalate their threats.
The need for collaboration doesn’t stop there. Brown also advocates for assigning Canada Border Services Agency agents to the Peel unit, streamlining the process of identifying and removing individuals who pose a threat to public safety.
This isn’t simply a policing issue; it’s a systemic challenge. A significant number of those arrested in connection with these crimes are already out on bail, parole, or probation, highlighting weaknesses in the court system.
The question of immigration status looms large. Evidence suggests that some individuals are exploiting visa loopholes, remaining in Canada despite criminal activity. This fuels the urgency for a comprehensive review of immigration policies and enforcement.
Local police, however effective, are fighting a battle against a transnational enemy. The scale, sophistication, and cross-border nature of these crimes demand a coordinated, national response. The time for decisive action is now.
