Extortion-linked gang should be declared terrorist organization, B.C. premier says

With extortion threats targeting South Asian businesses in B.C. and beyond, David Eby says an India-based gang should be added to a list of terrorist entities.

A gang that has “self-identified” as being involved in extortion threats targeting South Asian businesses in Canada should be declared a terrorist organization, B.C.’s premier said Tuesday.

Speaking in the wake of another public safety forum held by impacted business owners and community leaders in Surrey, David Eby said he is writing to the prime minister to request the India-based Lawrence Bishnoi gang be added to Canada’s list of terrorist entities.

“This is a serious step. It gives police significant investigative tools. We don’t make this recommendation lightly, but this activity strikes at public confidence in the justice system, in our democracy and in the safety of community, and it erodes public confidence in the rule of law,” Eby said.

“It is a very serious matter.”

Eby noted that these extortion threats – which have been accompanied by shootings and arsons in some cases – are occurring in cities across the country, including Edmonton and Brampton.

India’s counterterrorism law enforcement agency, the National Investigation Agency, said in 2023 that Lawrence Bishnoi operates his “terror-syndicate from jails in different states” in India and through an associate in Canada.

The federal list of terrorist entities includes extremist groups like ISIS and the Taliban but it also includes transnational criminal organizations, such as a number of Mexican drug cartels.

“It is not a crime to be listed,” the federal government’s website says.

“However, one of the consequences of being listed is that the entity’s property can be the subject of seizure/restraint and/or forfeiture. In addition, institutions such as banks, brokerages, etc. are subject to reporting requirements with respect to an entity’s property and must not allow those entities to access the property.”

Eby noted that there is an RCMP task force in place to investigate and respond to the extortion threats, but said traditional law enforcement tools and techniques may not be sufficient.

“They need additional tools to respond to the fact this is transnational organized crime. This is more in the nature of terrorism than it is traditional crime,” he said.

“The community is terrified, and action needs to be taken.”

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke similarly described the extortion threats and associated violence as “economic terrorism” when speaking at a community safety meeting over the weekend that drew hundreds to a banquet hall whose owner has been repeatedly targeted.

Police in Surrey say there have been 10 reported extortion threats over the last six months, but there are likely more cases that have gone unreported – meaning the true number is unknown.

With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Kraig Krause and The Canadian Press