Chandigarh: Canada has deported four Indian-origin men from Punjab for their alleged links to extortion gangs, as part of a larger drive that has seen 111 foreign nationals removed this year.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said Palwinder Singh, Jasmer Singh, Amitoz Bajwa and Sahibjot Singh were found inadmissible under Canada’s immigration law for ties to criminal groups or serious crimes.
Palwinder Singh was connected to an extortion-related shooting in late 2025 and was removed after a board ruled he belonged to a criminal gang. Jasmer Singh, convicted of forcible confinement in Canada, was deported for serious criminality.
“Amitoz Bajwa, a foreign national, was removed from Canada after the IRB found him inadmissible under IRPA for being a member of an organisation engaged in a pattern of criminal activity. He was also linked to firearms-related activity and an extortion-related shooting.
“Sahibjot Singh, a foreign national linked to an organisation engaged in a pattern of criminal activity, was found inadmissible under IRPA by the IRB. Singh acknowledged committing offences that formed part of the organisation’s pattern of criminal activity. He was subsequently removed from Canada,” the CBSA said.
111 Deportations In Nationwide Crackdown
As of September 3, 2026, Canada had issued 188 removal orders and physically removed 111 people. The Pacific Region saw 58 removals, the Prairie Region 30, and the Greater Toronto Area 23, as reported by The New Indian Express.
Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety Canada, said, “Extortion and organised crime threaten the safety of our communities. The Government of Canada is committed to disrupting these activities through strong collaboration with law enforcement partners and decisive enforcement action. By identifying and removing inadmissible individuals involved in criminal activity, we are strengthening public safety.”
“The removal of more than 100 individuals linked to extortion activities reflects CBSA’s sustained efforts to identify, investigate and take action against those who pose a threat to our communities. These results also demonstrate the impact of strong collaboration with law enforcement partners across Canada and our shared commitment to combatting organised crime,” said Erin O’Gorman, President, Canada Border Services Agency.
The CBSA began focusing on extortion cases in the Pacific and Prairie regions in August 2025 and expanded to Toronto in November 2025.
Students Used As Gang Foot Soldiers: FINTRAC
Canada’s financial intelligence unit, known as the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), said gangs are using “financially vulnerable, young male Indian nationals in Canada on study permits” as foot soldiers to carry out violence against South Asian communities.
Groups like the Bishnoi Gang and Bambiha Gang are involved, and some “copycat” criminals may be using their names to scare victims.
Last year, Canada removed 23,160 inadmissible people, including 1,010 for serious crimes. About 400 people are being deported every week now, with extra funding and 1,000 new officers planned to strengthen border security.
In a related development, Canadian police released images of 15 men charged in extortion cases targeting the South Asian community, with Calgary Police saying 16 people faced 56 combined charges; only one remained in custody while others were released on bail.
