Brothers Keepers gang member in B.C. sentenced to 11 years in prison
A member of the Brothers Keepers gang in British Columbia, which police describe as an "extremely violent organized crime group," has been sentenced to 11 years in prison on drug-trafficking charges.
Amandeep Singh Kang, 31, pleaded guilty in November to trafficking in controlled substances for the benefit of a criminal organization and conspiracy to traffic in controlled substances.
At his sentencing hearing earlier this month, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Paul Riley described the drugs Kang was connected with as the "worst, most dangerous, and addictive illegal drugs that plague our society," specifically fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine in "substantial amounts."
The Vancouver man was one of six people arrested and charged in 2021, following a three-year investigation by B.C.'s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-BC) into the Brothers Keepers group.
The provincial anti-gang task force says the Brothers Keepers emerged on B.C.'s organized crime landscape in 2017 and were in immediate and violent conflict with rival groups, including the Red Scorpions, the Wolfpack and the Hells Angels.
The CFSEU-BC says it began to focus its attention on the Brothers Keepers the following year, but the gang has since spread to all parts of the province and expanded into Alberta and Ontario.
'Concerted' and 'persistent' trafficking
When Kang and his alleged associates were arrested in 2021, police said they had seized more than 11 kilograms of drugs, as well as $50,000 in cash, a loaded pistol and lab equipment used to manufacture synthetic drugs.
"CFSEU-BC has noticed several trends within the Brothers Keepers group, including how they aggressively sought to expand into new markets throughout British Columbia, utilizing reduced drug prices, product branding such as purple fentanyl, and increased street-level drug potency,” Sgt. Duncan Pound said when the charges against the group were announced.
The sentencing judge described Kang as "one of the leading members of this organization," noting he was involved in both distributing large quantities of drugs to couriers throughout B.C., along with operating dial-a-dope distribution networks on Vancouver Island.
"The drug-trafficking activity was concerted, it was prolonged in duration, and it was persistent," the judge said.
"I say it was persistent because the trafficking continued after multiple rounds of police enforcement action," he added. "Taking enforcement action was not enough to discourage the group, including Mr. Kang, from continuing on with their activities. They were concerned only with or principally with how to continue without further detection from the police."
'Reflect on the choices that you have made'
At least two others who were arrested alongside Kang have since pleaded guilty to drug charges, including Andrew Miguel, who was sentenced to five years in prison, and Moshmem Khanun Khan, who was given a conditional sentence.
"I can say that while 11 years is a very substantial jail sentence, the sentence being sought here is probably at the low end of the acceptable range, given the nature of the criminal conduct in issue," the judge concluded before addressing Kang directly in court.
"Reflect on the choices that you have made and your associations and what has brought you to this point in your life," he told the offender. "You have a long sentence to serve and time to reflect on those things. If you do not make a decision to take your life in a different direction, likely the best outcome for you is that you will end up back in jail, and the worst outcome is that you will end up being another fatal casualty of organized crime."
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Kaija Jussinoja
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Family of toddler found dead at small-town Ont. daycare no closer to answers after year of investigation
A year has passed since two-year-old Vienna Irwin was found on the property of a home-based daycare in small-town Ontario, but her family says they are no closer to answers of what happened that day.
Fatal plane crash reported near Squamish, B.C.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has confirmed it is working with local Mounties and the BC Coroners Service after a plane crash near Squamish, B.C. Friday night.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Chiefs' Harrison Butker has no regrets about expressing his beliefs in speech
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has no regrets about expressing his beliefs in a recent commencement speech and he said he has received support as well as “a shocking level of hate” from others.
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part in the death of 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
Community mourns victims of fatal boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
The three people killed in last weekend's tragic collision between a speedboat and a fishing boat north of Kingston are being remembered Friday.
Three dead after vehicle plunged down a 100-foot embankment in Shediac, N.B.
Three people have died after a vehicle veered off the road in Shediac N.B., Friday morning.