'Prominent and violent' Brothers Keepers gang: Investigation nets multiple criminal charges
Police in British Columbia say they have arrested several people associated with what they call a “prominent and violent” gang following a three-year-long probe into the group known as the “Brothers Keepers.”
In a news conference held in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-BC) detailed the results of its investigation, including its intelligence-gathering strategy into an organized crime group the unit says is tied to an uptick in opioid trafficking both in the Lower Mainland and across British Columbia.
“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,” said Sgt. Duncan Pound.
Like other organized crime groups, police say the gang recruited young offenders in an effort to avoid criminal charges against older and more established members.
Pound confirmed criminal charges have been laid against the following individuals.
Amandeep Singh Kang, a 29-year-old Vancouver man, has been charged with:
- being one of a group of individuals constituting a criminal organization that knowingly instructed, directly or indirectly any person to commit trafficking in a controlled substance;
- trafficking a controlled substance for the benefit of a criminal organization;
- conspiring to traffic in a controlled substance;
- trafficking a controlled substance; and
- three counts of possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.
Police confirm Kang has been arrested and remains in custody.
Andrew Miguel Best, a 21-year-old Vancouver Island man, has been charged with:
- traffic a controlled substance for the benefit of a criminal organization;
- conspiring to traffic in a controlled substance;
- trafficking a controlled substance; and
- possess a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.
At the time of the news conference, a warrant had been issued for Best's arrest. Since that time, he has been located and arrested.
Dylan Robert Ferris, a 22-year-old male from Surrey, is charged with;
- possessing a restricted firearm without an authorization or licence;
- two counts of possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking;
- trafficking a controlled substance for the benefit of a criminal organization;
- conspiring to traffic in a controlled substance; and
- trafficking a controlled substance.
Ferris has been arrested and remains in custody according to police.
Jannat Bibi Nadeem, a 21-year-old Surrey woman, is charged with:
- being one of a group of individuals constituting a criminal organization that knowingly instructed, directly or indirectly any person to commit trafficking in a controlled substance;
- trafficking a controlled substance for the benefit of a criminal organization;
- conspiring to traffic in a controlled substance;
- trafficking a controlled substance; and
- possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.
Thursday afternoon, a few hours after the CFSEU-BC news conference, a spokesperson for the unit confirmed that Nadeem had been arrested and released from custody. There is no longer an outstanding warrant for her arrest.
Moshmem Khanun Khan, a 45-year-old woman from Surrey, has been charged with:
- trafficking a controlled substance for the benefit of a criminal organization;
- conspiring to traffic in a controlled substance;
- trafficking a controlled substance; and
- possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.
Police say Khan was arrested and released from custody.
Lastly Tanisha Bhatti, a 25-year-old Vancouver woman, is charged with conspiring to traffic in a controlled substance. Police confirm Bhatti was arrested and remains in custody.
Along with the arrests, police confirmed say they have seized more than 11 kilograms of drugs including cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Additionally, they say they seized a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol, laboratory equipment and precursor chemicals utilized in the production and processing of synthetic drugs, and more than over $50,000 in cash.
Police told CTV News the fentanyl seized was coloured purple, which they say is essentially a trademark for the group.
“It's a significant amount. And I think, you know, we can never like as far as I'm concerned as far as the people working in CFSEU-BC are concerned, every dose of fentanyl as a potential life that we could lose,” said Pound, “So taking a larger seizure officer like 7.5 kilograms is significant. No question, taking production capacity, out of play in our communities. Definitely very significant.”
In a matching news release, the CFSEU-BC said it and other police agencies used the Provincial Tactical Enforcement Priority (PTEP) to identify which people associated with gang to target. It also used analytical tools such as Social Network Analysis to quote “unveil intelligence and information” about the Brothers Keepers gang.
“The program provides police agencies from across British Columbia, the opportunity to share organized crime and gang intelligence and to collaborate on enforcement strategies, opportunities and priorities,” Pound said.
“The PTEP program has been in place for several years and is a critical pillar in the organized crime enforcement efforts here in British Columbia.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.