CBC News recently acquired a letter from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang that was sent to Canada’s defense minister, army, and police, asserting the presence of 5,000 gang members in Canada with more firearms than law enforcement. The letter, signed by the “Lawrence gang from India,” was disclosed through an Access to Information Act request related to an Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) hearing for a Bishnoi associate in July. While a police officer mentioned the letter during the hearing, the full content was not publicly shared.
The letter, characterized by spelling errors and punctuation deficiencies, issued a warning and a challenge, stating the gang’s supremacy in Canada and its intention to dominate the country. The missive highlighted the gang’s strength, boasting over 5,000 members capable of carrying out shootings for a fee, emphasizing their perceived invincibility and imminent control over Canada.
The correspondence is part of a collection of documents and videos illustrating collaborative efforts across multiple jurisdictions and agencies to disrupt the decentralized networks of young Indian nationals involved in extortion activities across Canada. The papers include allegations against individuals associated with Bishnoi-related extortion cases, such as Amitoz Bajwa and Sahibjot Singh, who were implicated in shootings and threats in Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia.
Notably, the CBSA’s “Tactical Guide” to the Bishnoi organization outlines the group’s expansion in Canada from 2023 to late 2025. Despite Lawrence Bishnoi’s incarceration in India since 2015, his influence has extended globally, with Goldy Brar, his purported top lieutenant in Canada, playing a pivotal role. Brar, who arrived in Canada in 2017 on a student permit, allegedly orchestrated criminal activities for the gang. However, his subsequent refugee claim and current whereabouts remain undisclosed.
Moreover, the documents shed light on the rift between Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi, hinting at a power struggle within the gang. The CBSA guide suggests that Brar might be leveraging this division to consolidate control in Canada, with his name frequently linked to extortion cases, particularly in Alberta.
The FBI’s recent announcement of a reward for Brar’s capture, along with charges against Bishnoi and associates for conspiracy and violent acts, including the alleged assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, underscores the severity of the situation. The CBSA’s strategic report implicates other gang leaders like Goldy Dhillon in extortion schemes, attributing them to recruiting foot soldiers for criminal operations in India and Canada.
The investigative records, particularly the Project Garter files, provide a comprehensive account of the gang’s extortion activities, meticulously documented by law enforcement agencies over seven months starting in May 2025. The letter from the Bishnoi gang, received in August 2025, serves as a focal point in the probe, aligning with a pattern of threats and violence associated with the group nationwide.
The report details various incidents of threats, extortion, and violence orchestrated by the gang, with specific mentions of individuals like Jashandeep Singh, Arshdeep Singh, and their involvement in criminal activities. The comprehensive investigation, marked by extensive surveillance, forensic analysis, and intelligence gathering, underscores the authorities’ concerted efforts to address the escalating extortion crisis perpetuated by the Bishnoi gang in Canada.