Following two more extortion-related shootings in Surrey and Delta Wednesday, this year is expected to keep police busy as case numbers rise, only one week into 2026.

On Jan. 7, around 1:30 a.m., police in Surrey were called to a home near 123 Street and 77A Avenue. The residence was damaged by gunfire, but no one was hurt.

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Surrey Police Service (SPS) Sgt. Tige Pollock says the investigation is in its early stages, and police are still gathering evidence.

But, Pollock said, “At this time, it appears that this incident is related to the ongoing series of extortions in Surrey.”

Hours later, just after 5 a.m., police in Delta responded to a shots-fired call at a home around 84 Avenue and Brooke Road. There were people inside, but no one was hurt. The shooting was believed to be linked to “an ongoing extortion investigation.”

The incidents come on the heels of a banner year for extortions south of the Fraser River.

The SPS confirmed to 1130 NewsRadio that in 2025, there were 132 reported extortions, 49 of which were linked to shots-fired calls, and involved 88 unique victims.

So far this year, it’s been dealing with at least five extortions, including one linked to a shooting, and six victims, including businesses and the homes of business owners.

The Delta Police Department says it’s investigating a dozen reports of extortion; Seven that took place in the city, and another five that have officers helping other jurisdictions with cases in which the victim is a Delta resident.

Last year, police made a few arrests and charges were approved.

In a recent interview with 1130 NewsRadio, SPS Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said the work would continue into the new year.

“Our units, collectively, have been sharing not just intelligence and information, but information about investigative techniques and our successes. And all of us expect to be able to hopefully announce more arrests and charges in the new year,” said Houghton.

Houghton understands that people, predominantly those in the South Asian community, who appear to be the main targets, are on edge. He confirms that some victims are submitting to the criminals’ demands, but says police urge against that.

“Please phone your police of jurisdiction to allow them to investigate, and that might be Surrey Police Service, it might be Abbotsford, your file might end up with the B.C. Extortion Task Force.”

The province introduced the task force last year as case numbers grew increasingly out of control, though little has changed so far in 2026.

Houghton says the values being extorted range anywhere from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. When paid, extortionists sometimes revisit the same victim, knowing they’ll pay again.

Police have another concern.

“We also know there are copycats that are doing this work and threatening and trying to extort people on the backs of other extortions,” Houghton explained.

The initial contact with a victim, police say, is made via WhatsApp or phone calls, and some people dismiss the messages, thinking it’s just a scam. Houghton suggests saving any communication you receive because it can be considered evidence.

Officers have also increased patrols in some areas of Surrey where numerous incidents have been reported.

1130 NewsRadio reached out to Abbotsford Police for information, but did not receive any details about its investigations.

Anyone with information about any extortion cases is instructed to call the police or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS.

—With files from Sarah Jones