CBSA Opens Nearly 200 Extortion Investigations in Greater Toronto, Deports 17 Foreign Nationals
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has opened 196 immigration investigations in the Greater Toronto Area linked to extortion crimes, the agency announced Thursday, with 33 removal orders issued and 17 people already deported.
National Scope of the Crackdown
Across Canada, the CBSA has launched a total of 484 immigration investigations as of June 18. Authorities have issued 139 removal orders currently being enforced, and 81 individuals have been removed from the country.
Regional breakdowns show the scale of the enforcement effort. In British Columbia and Yukon, 150 investigations have been opened, 69 removal orders issued, and 46 people removed. In the Prairies, 138 probes are underway, with 37 removal orders issued and 18 individuals deported.
Extortion Wave Targets South Asian Communities
The surge in extortion activity has been a growing concern for several years, particularly in Greater Toronto and British Columbia, where South Asian communities have been disproportionately targeted.
In the Peel Region alone, police have reported at least 37 shootings since last fall, with residents facing threats of violence and demands for large sums of money, often followed by shootings at properties or arsons.
Last month, the Peel Regional Police Extortion Task Force arrested five men allegedly connected to a gang known as For Brothers, with ties to Surrey, B.C., and Edmonton.
Cross-Border Enforcement Partnerships
Since August 2024, the CBSA has intensified its immigration enforcement efforts by embedding with local police through joint task forces. Under this model, police flag individuals suspected of immigration violations and refer cases to the CBSA for investigation and potential removal.
Peel Regional Police have also partnered with law enforcement agencies across Canada and the FBI in the United States as part of a broader transnational investigation into extortion-related crimes.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, who oversees the CBSA, framed the crackdown in terms of public safety. “Canadians deserve to feel safe in their homes, workplaces and communities,” he said. “We continue to take strong action by strengthening enforcement, investing in our partners, and ensuring that those who exploit or endanger others are held accountable.”
How to Report Information
The CBSA is asking the public to help identify individuals who may be inadmissible to Canada. Tips can be submitted through the agency’s online tip line or by calling toll-free at 1-888-502-9060.
