BC Police Ask for More Info on Extortion Crimes That May Be Linked to Now-Deported Suspect

Surrey, B.C., police are asking for more information about extortion-related crimes they believe may be connected to a now-deported foreign national.

Police say Lovebir Singh, 22, was already deported from Canada at an unspecified date, but his photograph is now being released to the public in order to seek more information about his contacts and activities during his time in Canada.

“This individual is suspected of being involved in the ongoing extortion crisis,” police wrote in their Feb. 23 release. “Any information provided by the public or associates can assist police in gathering information on the people and potential criminal networks involved in violent extortions.”

Singh had been in Canada since the fall of 2023 and was flagged as a suspect in extortion-related crimes earlier this year, according to police. The authorities added that their investigation’s findings were relayed to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which then conducted an immigration probe that led to Singh being removed from the country.

Police did not specify where Singh was deported to, although typically deportees are removed to their country of citizenship.

The release of Singh’s photograph at this time is being called “necessary” by Surrey police, who say it will bolster the ongoing investigation and could encourage witnesses, victims, or any collaborators to come forward.

Extortion cases have skyrocketed across B.C.’s Lower Mainland, including Surrey, whose police website lists 56 extortion cases so far this year, with 11 incidents of shots being fired and two arson attacks that impacted 32 victims. The site notes that 18 of the 32 victims had been targets of previous extortion attempts.

Last year, Surrey, Delta, and Abbotsford recorded more than 100 extortion incidents, with Metro Vancouver police noting that they were investigating 44 extortion-related cases as of December last year, including 27 that involved rounds being fired at vehicles, homes, and businesses.

The B.C. Extortion Task Force was launched last September and whose head said it is “actively hunting” suspects in multiple investigations as of late last month.

On the federal side, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Ottawa planned to send up to 20 additional RCMP officers to Surrey on Feb. 7 in order to fight the ongoing extortion crisis in the city, and said federal support of helicopters would also be provided. This comes in addition to $4 million in federal funding for a Regional Drug Enforcement Team, which has also supported local law enforcement in cracking down on extortion-related crime.

On Feb. 12, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne also ordered the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada to help law enforcement by monitoring and interrupting suspicious transactions suspected to be tied to extortion crimes.

In November of last year, the CBSA said it had deported three individuals connected to an extortion investigation and was investigating dozens more, while three individuals were charged earlier this month following an extortion-linked shooting in Surrey.

Last December, Surrey’s Mayor Brenda Locke said she was “appalled” to learn that 15 individuals investigated by police for extortion-related crimes were “claiming refugee status to evade deportation.” The CBSA confirmed to The Epoch Times at the time that the individuals had filed refugee claims.

Locke said Surrey has been disproportionately impacted by extortion crimes and called on Ottawa to “fix” the immigration and refugee system in regards to deporting those found to be involved in criminal activity.