A former senior RCMP officer has revealed that British Columbia's escalating wave of extortion threats and shootings appears to be connected to organized crime in India, marking a significant development in understanding the violence plaguing local communities.
From Local Crime to International Conspiracy
Galib Bhayani, a criminology instructor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and former RCMP chief superintendent, initially believed the extortion threats targeting business owners were local criminal activity. However, after examining the pattern of cases emerging in British Columbia, Alberta, and Brampton, Ontario, his perspective shifted dramatically.
"You start to put pieces of the puzzle together," Bhayani stated. "So it became really apparent to me that this is international, transnational organized crime directing activities in Canada from somewhere overseas."
Bhayani specifically pointed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's 2023 accusation of Indian involvement in the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey as a key factor in his assessment. While he cannot confirm all cases are internationally directed, he asserts that "a majority" of the incidents are being coordinated from overseas.
Law Enforcement Response and Community Impact
Surrey Police spokesperson Ian MacDonald acknowledged awareness of online speculation about India's involvement but emphasized the department's cautious approach. "Many of these extortions have multi-jurisdictional and even offshore components which are not part of any municipal police agencies' mandate," MacDonald explained.
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for some extortion-related incidents, yet police are refraining from what MacDonald calls "premature conclusions" about foreign involvement. This measured response contrasts with the growing concern within affected communities.
Puneet Sandhar, a lawyer and vice-president of the South Asian Business Association of B.C., confirmed hearing similar chatter within the community about the crimes' origins. While not speculating on specific perpetrators, Sandhar suggested copycat criminals might be inspired by the increasing number of extortion attempts.
Violent Incidents Continue to Escalate
The urgency of the situation was highlighted by last month's shooting at a home on 103A Avenue in Surrey, where a woman was taken to hospital in critical condition. In October, another extortion-related shooting targeted the Ustaad G 76 restaurant on King George Boulevard, demonstrating the violence's brazen nature.
Bhayani emphasized that any international connection significantly complicates investigations, describing the extortion cases as complex and "escalating." The ongoing violence represents not just local criminality but potentially sophisticated transnational organized crime operations targeting Canadian communities from abroad.
As businesses and residents remain on edge, law enforcement agencies face the challenging task of investigating crimes with potential international dimensions while community leaders worry about copycat crimes and escalating violence.
