CBSA Expands Crackdown on Extortion Networks, Dozens Removed from Canada

Ottawa, Ontario — March 18, 2026, The Canada Border Services Agency is intensifying a nationwide effort to dismantle extortion networks, signaling a more aggressive enforcement posture as organized crime groups continue to evolve and expand across the country. In coordination with law enforcement partners, the agency is increasing investigations, issuing removal orders, and carrying out deportations targeting individuals tied to serious criminal activity.

Federal officials describe extortion as a growing threat that harms individuals, businesses, and entire communities, often operating alongside other forms of organized crime including drug trafficking, arson, and firearms offences. In response, the agency has deepened its collaboration with specialized task forces and police agencies, including joint operations with the BC Extortion Task Force in the Lower Mainland, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team in Edmonton and Calgary, and coordinated efforts with police services across Ontario and other regions.

These partnerships are central to a system in which local police identify individuals suspected of violating the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Those cases are then referred to the CBSA, which conducts its own investigations and determines whether immigration enforcement measures, including detention and removal, are warranted.

The agency began formally tracking immigration cases linked to extortion in August 2025, initially focusing on the Pacific and Prairie regions before expanding into the Greater Toronto Area in November. Since then, the scale of enforcement activity has grown significantly. As of March 12, 2026, the CBSA has opened 372 investigations tied to extortion-related concerns. Seventy removal orders have been issued on various grounds of inadmissibility, and 35 individuals have already been removed from Canada.

Two recent deportations underscore the agency’s approach. Arshdeep Singh, who entered Canada on a study permit in 2022, was arrested and detained in November 2025 after being linked to a criminal organization associated with extortion and other serious offences. Following a ruling by the Immigration and Refugee Board in December that found him inadmissible on the grounds of organized criminality, he remained in detention as both a public safety risk and a flight risk. He was removed from Canada under escort on January 19, 2026.

In a separate case, Sukhnaaz Singh Sandhu, who had been in Canada as a temporary resident since 2016, was also arrested in November 2025 and found inadmissible for organized criminality. After being held in immigration detention, he was deported under escort on February 3, 2026. Authorities emphasize that these cases represent only a portion of ongoing investigations. The government continues to pursue individuals suspected of involvement in extortion schemes and has indicated that further enforcement actions are expected as cases progress.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said protecting Canadians requires constant vigilance against increasingly sophisticated criminal networks, stressing that individuals who exploit or endanger communities will not be allowed to remain in the country. CBSA President Erin O’Gorman echoed that position, stating that extortion strengthens organized crime and targets vulnerable populations, and that the agency is committed to using all available tools to disrupt these operations.

The broader enforcement push is supported by increased federal investment. In 2025 alone, the CBSA removed more than 22,500 inadmissible individuals, including over 1,000 cases involving serious criminality such as national security concerns, organized crime, and human rights violations. The agency is currently carrying out approximately 400 removals each week.

Through Canada’s Border Plan, $30.4 million has been allocated to expand removal capacity, with a target of completing 20,000 removals annually through the current fiscal year and into 2026–2027. Additional funding in Budget 2025 will support the hiring of 1,000 new officers to strengthen border enforcement operations.

At present, roughly 530 CBSA officers are dedicated specifically to immigration enforcement, covering investigations, detention, hearings before the Immigration and Refugee Board, and removals. Officials are also calling on the public to play a role. The CBSA continues to operate its Border Watch Line, encouraging Canadians to report information related to individuals believed to be inadmissible. Tips are reviewed and can lead directly to investigations. As enforcement ramps up nationwide, the agency is making clear that individuals connected to extortion and organized criminal networks will face swift action, including removal from Canada where warranted.