Federal government to send additional RCMP officers to combat Lower Mainland extortion 

January 28,2026

RED FM News Desk

Canada’s Minister of Public Safety says the rise in extortion-related crimes in the Lower Mainland is “unacceptable” and that the federal RCMP will deploy more officers to support local efforts. 

Minister Gary Anandasangaree met Wednesday with his provincial counterpart Nina Krieger, B.C. Premier David Eby, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, and CBSA President Erin O’Gorman. He announced that 20 additional officers, along with helicopter resources, will be sent to Surrey as an urgent response to the situation. 

Surrey city council had requested the federal government declare a “state of emergency” over the crime wave, but Anandasangaree’s statement did not include such a declaration. He noted that the new deployment adds to the government’s existing support, which includes $4 million for the Regional Drug Enforcement Team (RIDET) and $1 million to assist victims through the province.