VPD investigation nabs drug dealers believed to be preying on DTES residents

WATCH: Vancouver Police announced the results of a 13-month long investigation into a drug den today. Geoff Hastings has the story.

Charges have been approved against four people suspected of preying on vulnerable residents of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, (DTES), forcing them to sell drugs and publicly shaming them if they tried to refuse.

Sgt. Randy Fincham of the Vancouver Police said the accused would employ tactics such as shaving the person’s head on the street if they refused to sell the drugs or were not able to pay back their drug debts. Many of these people forced to sell the drugs live on the street and suffer from mental illness.

As a result of this operation, dubbed ‘Project Twizzler’, Fincham said B.C.’s Civil Forfeiture Office also seized and sold more than $850,000 in assets. The proceeds will go to fight crime in B.C.

Project Twizzler began in September 2011, leading detectives from the VPD Drug Unit to search properties throughout the city, including two notorious DTES drug dens.

As a result of these searches, police seized more than $50,000 in cash, 1.66 kilograms of cocaine, 232 grams of crystal meth and various weapons, among other drugs and items. The drugs had an estimated street value of more than $300,000.

Investigators also sought the forfeiture of six high-end vehicles and two DTES buildings, and B.C.’s Civil Forfeiture Office has now successfully seized and sold one of the buildings. It was known as the Backpacker’s Inn, located in the 600-block of Alexander Street.

Fincham said this building was a Single Room Occupancy hotel, and the owner and manager allowed the illegal activity to be conducted out of this residence.

Police could not release any details on the second building at this time.

The four people charged are 38-year-old Dennis George Knibbs of Vancouver, 36-year-old Randolph Aubrin Brown of Vancouver, 33-year-old Mark Sean Chung of Vancouver and 41-year-old Shawn Anthony Brown of Vancouver. All four men are charged with various counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Fincham said it is possible more charges could come from Project Twizzler as the investigation continues.

All four men are previously known to police and have some ties to gang activity.