‘Dwelling in fixed concern’: Canadian metropolis requires emergency amid extortion threats by Punjabi gangsters

Surrey mayor Brenda Locke known as on Ottawa to declare a federal state of emergency after 35 incidents of extortion crime passed off within the BC (British Columbia) metropolis this month. “The Metropolis of Surrey is experiencing an acute and escalating disaster of organized extortion, intimidation, and focused shootings leading to concern, trauma, and financial hurt to residents and enterprise house owners,” stated Locke, studying the movement.“Residents and enterprise house owners live in fixed concern. Public security is in danger, and the social and financial influence is actual. The federal authorities must act now to offer authorities the extra instruments we have to preserve our residents secure,” the mayor stated, calling for fast deployment of extra cops, RCMP models in Surrey. There have been 132 extortion makes an attempt in Surrey in 2025, 49 of which concerned pictures being fired at properties and companies. Dozens of different circumstances have been reported in Abbotsford and Delta, CBC reported.The extortion racket follows the virtually identical modus operandi, the place pictures are fired focusing on homes and companies after which extortionists contact the house owners, threatening them for cash.Councillor Pardeep Kooner who’s a lifelong resident of Surrey stated it is onerous to at all times look over the shoulder. “As a Surrey resident and a Canadian, I form of really feel just like the federal legal guidelines have held us hostage … within the metropolis that we love. It is form of onerous to maneuver by way of life at all times wanting over your shoulder,” she stated. Whereas most of those extortionists are from Punjab, the victims are principally of South Asian area. Indian comic Kapil Sharma’s cafe in Surrey was shot thrice in 2025 since its opening in July. Within the newest firing incident, 20-year-old Harshdeep Singh and 21-year-old Hanspreet Singh, have been arrested early Monday morning. Police confirmed that each of them are overseas nationals and immigration officers have been notified. They’re being held in custody till January 30.