Immigration Announcement
CBSA Immigration Investigations Expand as BC Extortion Task Force Removes Three Individuals
The newly formed BC Extortion Task Force has already made headlines as CBSA immigration investigations accelerate across British Columbia and beyond. With 78 foreign nationals now under review and three individuals removed from Canada, the task force is moving quickly to respond to a surge of extortion cases affecting businesses in the Lower Mainland.
A Coordinated Effort to Stop a Growing Threat
Launched in September, the task force brings together 40 officers from multiple agencies, including the RCMP, CBSA, municipal police services, and federal partners. Their goal is simple: stop the wave of targeted threats, violence, and intimidation that has affected many business owners, particularly within the South Asian community.
The CBSA’s role includes executing search warrants, reviewing immigration status, and sharing intelligence across British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. The broad network helps investigators track patterns that cross provincial lines.
Why CBSA Immigration Investigations Play Such A Critical Role
Immigration reviews give authorities an additional set of tools. When individuals connected to criminal activity lack a valid status or violate immigration law, removal becomes a fast and effective way to disrupt dangerous groups.
These efforts support local police operations that focus on gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and mapping connections between suspects. When immigration concerns emerge, CBSA can step in immediately to protect public safety.
Task Force Structure & Multi-Province Cooperation
The task force is not limited to British Columbia. Thanks to the National Co-ordination and Support Team, officers in Alberta and Ontario also feed information into the system. This helps investigators respond faster when leads stretch across provinces.
Key partner agencies include:
- B.C. RCMP
- Abbotsford Police
- CFSEU-BC
- Delta Police
- Metro Vancouver Transit Police
- Surrey Police Service
The blend of national and local resources gives the task force a wider lens and quicker response times.
Why These Removals Matter
Removing three foreign nationals may seem like the early stages of a long operation, but each case interrupts the activity of groups responsible for harmful schemes. Past CBSA data shows that immigration tools often reveal patterns linked to fraud, smuggling, or organized networks.
Last year, the agency opened 184 criminal investigations tied to immigration offences. With new federal funding of $1.3 billion for border and immigration security, Canada has strengthened enforcement capacity across the board.
What the Public Can Do
Authorities continue to encourage tips from residents and business owners. Reports can be directed to the Border Watch Line or local police services. Community information has already helped investigators connect leads and identify high-risk individuals.
CBSA Immigration Investigations will Continue Shaping the Task Force Response
As police agencies work together to reduce extortion threats, CBSA immigration investigations remain central to identifying risks, disrupting networks, and removing individuals who pose safety concerns. More actions are expected as the task force continues its work across multiple provinces.
