More than 80 people have been removed from Canada as authorities intensify action against organised criminal networks targeting South Asian communities
Canadian authorities have deported around two dozen Indian nationals as part of a wider crackdown on organised crime linked to extortion, with officials warning that further removals are likely as investigations continue.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said more than 80 people had been deported by June 18 after being found inadmissible on criminal or immigration grounds connected to extortion-related offences. A further 139 removal orders have been issued and are currently being enforced, while 484 immigration investigations remain underway. Although the agency has not released a nationality-wise breakdown, those publicly identified among the deportees so far have all been Indian nationals.
The enforcement campaign has focused on tackling organised criminal activity that has affected South Asian communities, particularly in the provinces of British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta. Metro Vancouver, including Surrey, recorded the highest number of removals, followed by the Greater Toronto Area and the Prairie region.
Canadian Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the government was committed to protecting communities by removing individuals involved in serious criminal activity or those without the legal right to remain in the country. The nationwide operation began in August last year after a surge in extortion cases involving businesses and members of the South Asian community.
-
The latest deportations follow several earlier removals of Indian nationals linked to organised crime and drug trafficking, reflecting Canada’s increasingly strict approach to immigration enforcement in criminal cases
-
Authorities have indicated that investigations will continue, with additional deportations expected as cases progress through the immigration system
The developments come amid continued efforts by Canadian law enforcement agencies to dismantle organised extortion networks and strengthen public safety, particularly in regions that have witnessed a rise in violence and intimidation targeting South Asian businesses.
