In response to ongoing extortion attempts and accompanying violence against the South Asian community in British Columbia, the province has established an extortion advisory group to enhance communication and address existing gaps. The group will be spearheaded by Paul Dadwal, a former RCMP officer renowned for his contributions to the B.C. RCMP’s gang investigations team and the establishment of a fentanyl task force.
Expressing his commitment to the cause, Dadwal conveyed, “No one takes pride in stepping into leadership during a community crisis. I am dedicated to serving the community and addressing these unfortunate circumstances.” Premier David Eby highlighted Dadwal’s role in leading initiatives to investigate policing and communication strategies concerning extortion, with a focus on collaborating with the RCMP’s task force.
A Surrey native, Dadwal commenced his policing career in 2001 with the Surrey RCMP, boasting fluency in English and Punjabi. Acknowledging Dadwal’s expertise in crime prevention and community engagement, Eby commended his capabilities. Dadwal also founded Arion Defense, a footwear screening platform primarily utilized in security-sensitive areas like airports to detect potential threats concealed in shoes.
Elizabeth Model, CEO of the Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association, expressed optimism about the advisory group’s potential to enhance community awareness of the extortion situation, particularly amidst the crisis in Surrey. The establishment of this group follows the formation of a task force in September 2025, specifically targeting the surge in extortion incidents and related shootings in the South Asian community.
Statistics from local law enforcement indicated that in 2025, Surrey alone encountered 132 extortion attempts, with 49 involving shootings. As of February 2, 2026, the Surrey Police Service reported 46 extortion attempts, 11 extortion-related shootings, and one extortion-related arson incident in the city. Additionally, 29 victims have been identified in connection with these crimes.
During a recent visit to Ottawa, Premier Eby engaged in discussions on extortion at a first ministers meeting, where additional RCMP officers and helicopter support were pledged by the federal government to combat extortion in Surrey. While local leaders stress the need for increased support, Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Nina Krieger affirmed the province’s commitment to advocating for more resources from the federal government, including enhancements to enforcement capabilities and revisions to criminal and immigration laws.
The efforts to address extortion-related challenges are ongoing, with a focus on strengthening community-police relations, enhancing communication, and swiftly addressing threats and concerns raised by affected individuals within the South Asian community.