5 foreign nationals arrested after joint force operation led by Langley RCMP

Supt. Dosange says five foreign nationals were arrested Thursday morning and multiple charges related to extortion have been laid. Four were arrested in Surrey, B.C., and one was arrested at Toronto Pearson Airport.

Langley RCMP say they will share details of a major investigation into allegations of extortion and violence that has led to multiple arrests and "significant criminal charges."

Supt. Harm Dosange and Chief Supt. Duncan Pound, assistant district commander representing the B.C. Extortion Task Force, are set to speak at a news conference at 10 a.m. PT Friday.

Langley is one of a number of cities in B.C.'s Lower Mainland where the extortion crisis has hit.

The province launched an RCMP-led task force last year to address the issue as threats against members of the local South Asian community increased.

CBC News will carry the news conference live on this page.