Overview

• Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers has for the first time accepted tips directly from extortion victims, relaxing its usual policy of directing callers in need of immediate help to emergency services.
• Executive director Linda Annis says the organization forwarded more than 70 extortion-related tips to police over the past 18 months.
• A specialized joint task force of Surrey Police Service and RCMP arrested two suspects on July 3 as part of the extortion investigation.
• Investigators have linked threats, arsons and shootings at South Asian-owned businesses in Surrey to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, prompting Premier David Eby to seek its federal terrorist designation.
• Crime Stoppers invites anyone fearing retaliation to submit information anonymously via its app, hotline or website to help fill gaps in the ongoing investigation.