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
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
DEVELOPING Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar
Hamas said it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar, which seeks to halt the seven-month war with Israel in Gaza, prompting Israel to say it would send a delegation to negotiate – though it warned the proposal remained far from the 'necessary requirements.'
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
2024 Met Gala: Everything to know about fashion's annual soiree
Fashion's biggest night out — hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York each year on the first Monday of May — is both a forever-evolving spectacle and a carefully crafted event.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Concern over speeding in Fredericton neighbourhood grows after 2 teens, young adult killed in crash
Three people – including two teens – are dead, and two others are injured after a crash that has left a greater Fredericton community shaken.