Bishnoi Gang's Bold Claim to Canadian Police
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang, an India-based criminal organization, has sent a direct letter to police in Abbotsford, British Columbia, asserting that it commands upwards of 1,000 individuals across Canada prepared to carry out shootings as part of its extortion operations. The letter, received by the Abbotsford Police Department on August 13, 2025, outlined the gang's structure and warned that businesses must pay their "tax," a term investigators interpret as a demand for extortion payments. This revelation emerged during testimony at an Immigration and Refugee Board hearing in late May 2026.
Constable Kevin St. Louis of the Edmonton Police Service, involved in Project Garter investigating extortion networks, described the letter in detail while testifying about deportation proceedings for an alleged gang associate. The document reportedly boasted of the organization's reach and willingness to use violence to enforce compliance among targets, primarily within Canada's South Asian diaspora communities.
Origins and Leadership of the Lawrence Bishnoi Network
The gang takes its name from Lawrence Bishnoi, who was born in 1993 and has been incarcerated in India since 2015. Despite his imprisonment, authorities allege that Bishnoi continues to direct operations through associates and encrypted communications channels. The network has expanded its activities internationally, with documented presence in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Investigators note that the group engages in a range of criminal enterprises, including extortion, contract killings, shootings, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and intimidation of business owners and public figures. In Canada, the focus has shifted heavily toward extortion schemes that leverage fear within specific ethnic communities.
The August 2025 Letter and Its Implications
Delivered to a police station in Abbotsford, the letter served as both a boast and a warning. It claimed the organization had recruited or could mobilize a large number of operatives willing to execute violent acts in support of extortion demands. Police interpreted references to "every business needs to pay their tax" as explicit threats designed to coerce payments from targeted establishments.
The missive was addressed directly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, marking a rare instance of overt communication with law enforcement. Investigators viewed it as an attempt to project strength and deter resistance, signaling that low-level operatives already present in Canada would handle enforcement while higher leadership remained abroad.
Extortion Crisis Gripping British Columbia and Beyond
The letter's claims arrive amid a documented surge in extortion-related incidents across Canada, with British Columbia experiencing a particularly acute wave. Areas such as Surrey and Abbotsford in the Lower Mainland have seen dozens of cases involving demands for large sums of money, often accompanied by threats of violence delivered via WhatsApp or other messaging apps.
Many victims are business owners or individuals from the South Asian diaspora. Perpetrators frequently invoke names associated with the Bishnoi network or allied figures like Goldy Brar to amplify intimidation. Recruits or intermediaries are often described as financially vulnerable young men, including those on study permits or temporary foreign worker visas, who act as money mules, enforcers, or foot soldiers for modest compensation.
Police task forces in both British Columbia and Ontario have been established to address the pattern. These specialized units focus on disrupting networks through surveillance, financial tracking, and coordinated enforcement actions.
Police Investigations and Deportation Proceedings
The testimony revealing the letter occurred during admissibility hearings before the Immigration and Refugee Board. These proceedings determine whether foreign nationals with criminal convictions or associations should remain in Canada or face removal. In one recent case, investigators linked an individual to the network through communications and movements tied to extortion activities in mid-August 2025.
Edmonton police have identified key figures emerging from WhatsApp messages and phone records, including references to Lawrence Bishnoi, Goldy Brar, and another individual identified as Jora Sidhu. Movement of suspects, vehicles, and firearms has been tracked as part of ongoing probes.
Canadian authorities have already removed dozens of individuals connected to these networks. The federal government designated the Lawrence Bishnoi gang a terrorist entity in 2025, enabling broader legal tools for disruption and prosecution.
Impacts on South Asian Communities and Businesses
The extortion campaign has created widespread fear among business owners and families in affected regions. Victims report persistent threats, property damage from shootings, and demands ranging from thousands to millions of dollars. Some incidents have escalated to actual violence, with firearms discharged at homes or businesses.
Community members describe a climate where legitimate entrepreneurs hesitate to report incidents due to concerns over retaliation or immigration status. The use of diaspora networks for recruitment has complicated efforts, as some operatives blend into student or worker populations.
Local leaders and residents in British Columbia have called for enhanced resources and cross-border cooperation to address the transnational nature of the threat.
Government and Law Enforcement Responses
In addition to the terrorist designation, Canadian agencies including the RCMP, local police forces, and the Canada Border Services Agency have intensified operations. Task forces emphasize intelligence sharing, financial intelligence from bodies like FINTRAC, and rapid deportation of identified participants.
Premier David Eby of British Columbia has expressed concern over related developments, including internal reports linking the gang to broader geopolitical tensions. Officials stress the importance of distinguishing criminal activity from other issues while prioritizing public safety.
International cooperation with Indian authorities and partners in other countries where the network operates remains a key component of the strategy.
Operational Tactics and Recruitment Patterns
The gang's model relies on a hierarchical structure with leadership abroad directing low-level actors on the ground. Encrypted apps facilitate coordination, while payments are often funneled through intermediaries to obscure trails.
Recruits are frequently described as recent arrivals to Canada who may be economically vulnerable. Investigators note that these individuals are sometimes paid small amounts to carry out specific acts, reducing direct exposure for core members.
The letter's public nature represents a shift toward psychological intimidation, aiming to achieve compliance through reputation rather than constant direct contact.
Photo by Syahrul Alamsyah Wahid on Unsplash
Broader Context and Future Outlook
The developments underscore challenges posed by transnational organized crime in an era of global migration and digital communication. Canadian law enforcement continues to adapt through specialized units and legal designations that expand investigative powers.
While the claimed number of 1,000 foot soldiers has not been independently verified by police, the letter's existence and the pattern of incidents indicate a serious and evolving threat. Ongoing hearings and investigations are expected to yield further details in the coming months.
Communities and authorities alike emphasize the need for vigilance, reporting mechanisms, and sustained international partnerships to dismantle these networks.
For more on related developments, see this CBC News report on the police testimony and this Global News coverage of the letter's contents.
