A new advisory group has been established in British Columbia to address ongoing extortion attempts and associated violence targeting the South Asian community. The group, led by former RCMP officer Paul Dadwal, aims to enhance communication and identify gaps in current responses to extortion incidents.
Paul Dadwal, known for his work with the B.C. RCMP’s gang investigations team and the establishment of a fentanyl task force, expressed his commitment to the role despite the unfortunate circumstances. Premier David Eby highlighted Dadwal’s leadership in exploring policing strategies and communication approaches related to extortion issues, with findings to be shared with the RCMP task force.
Dadwal, a Surrey native and former Surrey RCMP officer, is fluent in English and Punjabi. Premier Eby praised Dadwal’s experience in crime prevention and community engagement. Dadwal also founded Arion Defense, a footwear screening platform, before its sale, and continues to be listed as the CEO and founder.
Elizabeth Model, CEO of the Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association, emphasized the importance of keeping the community informed about the extortion situation, which has been a significant concern in Surrey. The establishment of the advisory group follows the creation of a task force in September 2025 to tackle the rising number of extortion incidents and shootings.
In 2025, Surrey reported a total of 132 extortion attempts, including 49 shootings. As of February 2, the Surrey Police Service has recorded 46 extortion attempts, 11 extortion-related shootings, and one extortion-related arson this year, identifying 29 victims in the process.
Recent discussions on extortion issues have taken place at various levels of government, with promises of additional RCMP officers and helicopter support in response to the crisis in Surrey. Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Nina Krieger highlighted ongoing efforts to secure more resources from the federal government, including changes to criminal and immigration laws to address extortion-related challenges effectively.