Surrey has seen 33 extortion-related shootings so far in 2025 and 59 extortion reports not related to shootings, as of Thursday (Oct. 9).
This "is one of the top priorities for the Surrey Police Service," said Surrey Police Chief Const. Norm Lipinski during the Oct. 9 Surrey Police Board meeting.
Deputy Chief Const. Michael Procyk provided the board with the latest updates on the extortion crisis in the city.
"The good news is that, as chief alluded to, we've had a busy week, and some significant successes," Procyk said, noting that Surrey Police Service, the RCMP's Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit (SPOSU) and the B.C. joint extortion task force have all been involved.
Harmanjot Brar, 25, and Hardilpreet Singh, 23, were charged with arson and possession of stolen property after a vehicle was set on fire in Surrey on Sunday, Oct. 5, in a case that's being investigated by the joint extortion task force.
On Oct. 6, the BC RCMP announced that the Lower Mainland District Joint Force Operation (JFO) has secured charges against two suspects for their alleged involvement in extortion-related offences dating back to 2024. BC Prosecution Service has laid charges against 26-year-old Abjeet Kingra and 24-year-old Vikram Sharma. Both men have been charged with the discharge of a firearm with intent and arson.
On the same day (Oct. 6), Surrey Police announced that charges had been laid against Mandeep Gidda, 23, Nirmaandeep Cheema, 20, and Arundeep Singh, 26, in connection with a March 27 shooting at a home.
Procyk said he could not comment on how many of those charges were against Canadian citizens.
Lipinski added: "The media has asked about that, and we've directed their questions to CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency), and CBSA has responded, due to privacy reasons, they're not releasing that at this time."
Procyk did say that, "I would comment, that we're very aware of the status of all of the individuals' charges and there's certainly been the gamut. There's been a variety. I would suggest that there was not one common status with respect to any immigration issues or citizenship."
Board chair Xwopokton (Harley Chappell) asked if any of the individuals who have been charged are connected to other extortion cases in Surrey.
Procyk said they were potentially connected but could not confirm if they actually were.
Procyk added that as of this week, the Surrey Police has "provided all of our agreed-upon resources to the task force."
The task force is made up of 40 officers from the B.C. RCMP, Abbotsford Police Department, Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit - B.C. (CFSEU-BC), Delta Police Department, Metro Vancouver Transit Police, Surrey Police Service and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). It also receives support from the federal RCMP National Co-ordination and Support Team (NCST).
"We're continuing our collaboration with the task force and internally SPS stakeholders, Investigative Services Bureau and the community policing bureau are engaged in evolving our plan, one holistic plan, to address the extortion problem that includes providing the community with assurance, effecting general deterrence moving forward a number of investigations," Procyk said.
-With files from Tricia Leslie
