Analysis: The long-term success of Operation Hard Ball has yet to be decided
As we near the end of what appears to have been a day of explosive revelations, let’s step back for a minute for the bird’s eye view of what we know.
It’s important to separate the three separate indictments. The two non-Bishnoi indictments don’t mention Lawrence Bishnoi, but because of the way the whole thing has been rolled out by authorities, they’re being connected in the public mind. To that end, the three Canadians who will be asking for bail in B.C. Supreme Court on Thursday are accused of drug trafficking, not being part of the gang that allegedly ordered the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. And, none of the charges against them have been proven in court.
Also, thanks to the fifth estate‘s reporting, as well as details that have emerged from Immigration and Refugee Board proceedings held as recently as last month, we’ve learned that Canada’s extortion crisis and the role of gangs have moved far beyond the allegations contained in the U.S. indictments.
The fifth estate has reported extensively on Bishnoi-linked allegations of corruption in the cricket world, culminating in the May shooting of a man who was allegedly a “main handler” for the gang.
And a police detective in Edmonton testified at an Immigration and Refugee Board hearing in May about a fracture between Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar which has impacted the way extortion is being carried out and how the extortionists are attacking each other and innocent victims.
All of this is to say that while authorities are taking a victory lap today, it remains to be seen how big an impact these arrests and charges will ultimately have on the extortion crisis plaguing Canada’s South Asian communities. Hours before law enforcement officials announced the arrests, another house in Surrey, B.C., was hit by an extortion-related shooting.
The victims have been crying out for help and action. The last word on the success of Operation Hard Ball belongs to them.
