“This is an act of terrorism against the community. Families, business owners, and the media are under attack from foreign gangs perpetrating extortions.”
– Steve Kooner, Critic for Attorney General, MLA for Richmond-Queensborough
SURREY, BC: Conservatives are demanding aggressive action to fight foreign gangs following the third violent extortion attack at Kap’s Cafe in Surrey. The cafe was attacked with gunfire at 3:45 am on Thursday, and the attackers videoed their actions.
The cafe, owned by Indian comedian Kapil Sharma, has been a repeated target of extortion attacks in 2025, with the Indian Bishnoi gang now claiming responsibility.
This event follows a wave of violent extortions targeting the South Asian community in British Columbia. So far, homes, businesses and the media have been attacked.
MLA Steve Kooner, Conservative Critic for Attorney General has voiced concerns on extortions for over five months. Earlier this year, MLA Kooner sent letters to NDP Public Safety Minister Niki Sharma and Liberal Justice Minister Hon. Sean Fraser.
MLA Kooner responded to the latest violent escalation, “This is an act of terrorism against the community. Families, business owners, and the media are under attack from foreign gangs perpetrating extortions.”
MLA Kooner warned, “The Attorney General’s lack of coordination and leadership is undermining public confidence. Crown prosecutors must immediately be assigned to work with police as soon as extortion files are opened, and memoranda of understanding must be negotiated with foreign origin countries, particularly India.”
MLA Macklin McCall, Conservative Critic for Public Safety added, “The federal and provincial governments must mobilize every resource to aggressively counter the foreign gangs that have penetrated our borders to extort our communities.”
MLA McCall continued, “Foreign conflicts are not welcome in British Columbia, and foreign criminals who prey on our people must be immediately deported.”
Only Conservatives are prepared to smash foreign gang operations at home and bring the fight overseas to end extortions for good. Conservatives will deliver:
- Deportation of Foreign Criminals: Immediately deport non-citizens responsible for extortion and those affiliated with foreign gangs.
- Mandatory Sentencing for Extortion: Establish clear sentencing requirements to communicate deterrence and enforce justice.
- Extortion Bail Reform: Introduce reverse onus bail for extortion. Those charged with extortion must prove why they deserve bail.
- Dedicated Coordinated Prosecutions: Ensure Federal Crown prosecutors (terrorist charges) and Provincial Crown prosecutors (extortion charges) work directly with police from the start of dedicated investigations.
- Intelligence and Evidence-Gathering: More resources to strengthen surveillance, case-building and early disruption of gang activity.
- International Cooperation: Negotiate memoranda of understanding with foreign countries to cooperate on extraditions and fighting foreign gangs.
Conservatives will continue demanding aggressive action from the government until the justice system keeps British Columbians safe from extortion and foreign gangs.
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Media Contact:
Robert Eales, Communications Officer
Robert.Eales@leg.bc.ca
+1 (778) 967-2818
