B.C. is launching a task force made up of various police departments in the province to help further investigations into extortion threats targeting the South Asian community.

Extortionists have increasingly been threatening business owners and individuals across the Lower Mainland, but especially in Surrey. Surrey police are currently investigating 44 cases of extortion in the city, including 27 that involved shootings.

Nina Krieger, B.C.’s minister of public safety and solicitor general, announced the task force Wednesday afternoon alongside B.C. RCMP and Crime Stoppers. The extortion task force will be led by the RCMP and will consist of 40 officers from the RCMP, as well as those from Surrey, Abbotsford, Delta, Transit Police and the Canada Border Services Agency.

“This comprehensiv

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