2 people arrested amid extortion investigation targeting South Asian businesses

Mounties in B.C.'s Lower Mainland say two people have been arrested amid an ongoing investigation into extortion attempts against South Asian businesses in the area.

The two suspects were arrested Thursday for careless discharge of a firearm and arson, related to incidents that happened in Surrey in 2024, police said in a statement.

Police across the Lower Mainland have been investigating a rise in financial extortion attempts and violence since late 2023, when a string of threats were made against local South Asian businesses. 

Police said victims would experience acts of violence or property damage if they refused demands for large sums of money. The extortion attempts have primarily targeted South Asian businesses, police said.

Charges not laid

Chief Superintendent Duncan Pound said at a news conference on Thursday the arrests were made with the goal of gathering new information for charges.

"There are no current charges laid, so we will not be able to go into the names or details of the individual's arrested," Pound said.

"But this operation aspect is now wide open, and it had been kept under wraps to ensure that the investigative objectives were able to be met."

No other information, such as the number of extortion victims, incidents, or evidence recovered during the arrest, was provided.

WATCH | Police arrest 2 suspects in extortion investigation: 

Police announce arrests in South Asian extortion cases

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Duration 2:08

Police say they've arrested two people with alleged ties to extortion cases in the Lower Mainland South Asian community. It's an issue that has recently received high-level attention from politicians, including Premier David Eby and Solicitor General Garry Begg. But as CBC's Rafferty Baker reports, no charges have been filed, and little information is being shared about who was arrested.

The two individuals are Surrey residents and are currently in custody, Pound said. 

"They may be released without charges," he added.

Pound says it's believed the individuals are involved in extortions in the Lower Mainland that date back to incidents that occurred as early as 2023.

He says police are encouraging victims to come forward.

"If you are the victim of an extortion attempt, do not comply with demands, save all correspondence and contact your local police immediately to make a report," police said in a statement.

RCMP say they launched a joint force operation into the crimes in 2024, with municipal, provincial and federal resources.

The joint task force is comprised of the RCMP Surrey provincial unit, Abbotsford Police Department, RCMP Federal Policing, B.C. RCMP Major Crime section, and a civilian criminal analyst from the Surrey Police Service.

Last week, the province announced $100,000 for a 60-day campaign run by B.C. Crime Stoppers to field anonymous tips in response to a rise in threats and violence targeting South Asian businesses.