Ottawa: Canadian authorities have deported three individuals in connection with a sweeping investigation into a wave of extortion and violent threats aimed at South Asian business owners in British Columbia. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) confirmed the deportations on Friday, noting that the action is part of a coordinated effort with the province’s recently established Extortion Task Force.
According to the CBSA, the agency is also reviewing the immigration status of 78 additional foreign nationals who could be deemed inadmissible to Canada due to alleged ties to organized crime and ongoing extortion schemes. The individuals under scrutiny are suspected of participating in or facilitating criminal networks responsible for a spate of shootings and intimidation incidents targeting small businesses, particularly within South Asian communities.
In its official statement, the CBSA emphasized that these investigations are part of a broader mandate to “protect the integrity of Canada’s borders and communities.” The agency underscored its collaboration with law enforcement bodies at both the federal and provincial levels, aiming to dismantle criminal groups exploiting immigration pathways to sustain cross-border illicit activity.
Authorities have not released the identities of those deported, but officials noted that further enforcement actions may follow as investigations progress. The surge in extortion cases involving threats, arson, and violence against shop owners and restaurateurs has sparked widespread fear across parts of British Columbia, prompting an intensified law enforcement response and policy discussions on the intersection of immigration, organized crime, and public safety.