Canada Deported 3 in Gang Extortion Probe; BC Task Force Probes 78

(CANADA) Canada deported three foreign nationals linked to gang-led extortion rackets after a surge in attacks on Indian-owned businesses and homes, the Canada Border Services Agency confirmed on November 7, 2025. The removals, part of a widening criminal probe in British Columbia, were coordinated with the B.C. Extortion Task Force, a multi-agency unit assembled earlier this year as shootings and threats spread fear through South Asian communities.

Officials said another 78 foreign nationals are under active investigation for possible inadmissibility, signaling a broader push to disrupt transnational groups using intimidation and violence against immigrant business owners.

Scope and targets of the campaign

The case has drawn national attention not only because Canada deported three people, but also because the targets were overwhelmingly tied to Indian-origin entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, and families. Police have linked several incidents to organized networks that demand money under threat of harm.

• Many business owners have been pressured to close early, install extra security, or move homes.
• The heavier policing presence in areas with large South Asian communities reflects concern that extortion has moved from sporadic threats to a pattern of coordinated criminal activity.

How the removals were conducted

The CBSA described the removals as part of a joint strategy with police to use both criminal enforcement and immigration law tools. While the agency did not release names, the action followed weeks of investigative work with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, local gang units, and municipal departments.

Officials said the goal is to:

1. Identify individuals who help coordinate or profit from extortion.
2. Use immigration violations to make them removable when legal thresholds are met.
3. Move quickly—even when criminal cases are still building—to reduce immediate risks.

The government’s emphasis on inadmissibility is noteworthy because it allows removals even while criminal investigations continue, provided immigration law standards are satisfied.

The B.C. Extortion Task Force and links abroad

The B.C. Extortion Task Force was created in response to a sharp rise in intimidation, drive-by shootings, and targeted vandalism. Investigators say the campaign has focused on business corridors where Indian-origin owners are prominent, including:

• Restaurants
• Trucking companies
• Family-run shops

Police sources have also pointed to links with overseas actors. Officers have connected some arrests and convictions to the India-based Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a group recently named a terrorist entity by the federal government because of its transnational footprint and violent history.

• Officials have not said whether the three deported individuals were directly tied to that network.
• The broader investigation remains active.

Tactical shift: immigration enforcement plus criminal law

The aggressive use of removals marks a tactical shift in a province where gang violence has often spilled into public spaces. Immigration enforcement is not a substitute for prosecutions, but it can:

• Remove individuals considered a risk to public safety while courts weigh complex charges.
• Give investigators additional tools to reduce pressure on victims afraid of retaliation.

CBSA’s collaboration with police offers another way to encourage reporting, especially in tightly knit South Asian communities where anonymity is hard to maintain. Neighborhood leaders say trust grows when people see swift, visible outcomes such as arrests, seizures, or removals.

Community impact and responses

These developments follow months of warnings from local officials describing extortion demands arriving by phone or social media, later backed by gunfire or property damage. Families told community groups they felt trapped between threats and fear of attracting more attention by calling police.

The human toll for immigrant entrepreneurs has been steep:

• Insurance costs rise after a shooting.
• Staff quit.
• Children are traumatized after windows are shattered.
• WhatsApp messages spread photos of damaged storefronts, amplifying fear.

Community advocates report practical responses:

• Pooling funds for cameras and reinforced glass.
• Closing earlier—reducing income but improving peace of mind.
• Safety briefings for small business owners on documenting threats and sharing evidence safely.

Against that backdrop, the removals of three foreign nationals and scrutiny of 78 more were read as both a concrete step and a test of whether coordinated enforcement can bring lasting calm.

Multi-agency model and outcomes

The joint task force model aims to close gaps criminals exploit by combining agency authorities:

• CBSA: Acts when immigration status is in question.
• Police: Pursue weapons, conspiracy, and other criminal charges.
• Prosecutors: Tie together patterns spanning multiple cities.

According to VisaVerge.com, this multi-agency trend—pairing immigration measures with criminal investigations—is increasingly used to disrupt cross-border networks. Early outcomes in British Columbia include multiple arrests and convictions, and now high-profile deportations intended to unsettle those orchestrating threats from abroad or via local intermediaries.

Legal safeguards and public appeals

Officials emphasized that removals respect due process and Canada’s immigration law standards. Individuals found inadmissible can be detained, placed on removal orders, and repatriated after legal review.

• The CBSA urged people with information on extortion attempts to come forward.
• Tips can support both criminal charges and immigration actions.

More details about CBSA operations and removals are available on the Canada Border Services Agency website, which outlines authorities, processes, and public safety priorities.

Next steps and challenges

Police leaders say the next phase will focus on sustaining pressure and preventing replacement crews from stepping in. Because extortion networks are often networked, a single arrest rarely ends the threat. Investigators plan to:

• Track communication flows and financial channels.
• Monitor overseas ties.
• Pay attention to the use of young couriers or drivers who may not grasp legal exposure.

Authorities declined to predict how many of the 78 people under review might face removal, noting inadmissibility findings depend on individual facts and legal standards. They stressed that community safety, not immigration status, guides immediate police responses to threats.

By confirming that Canada deported three people tied to the extortion rackets under investigation, the government signaled it is prepared to use every legal tool to protect South Asian communities most affected by the violence. For many who have spent months looking over their shoulders, the message offers a measure of relief—and a reminder that the fight against organized crime is far from over in Canada 🇨🇦.