After months of violence hitting Surrey, the RCMP announced today the arrest of six people that are linked to the ongoing gang and drug-related conflicts in the city.
Asst. Commissioner Bill Fordy said all six arrested are facing gun-related charges, one of the six is a young offender and one man cannot be named as his charges are pending. They are all currently in custody and will be appearing in court today.
Baltej Singh Gill, Himmat Singh Virk and Randeep Singh Jhal, all 18 years of age, were arrested and charged along with 24-year-old Manpreet Michael Johal.
“We believe the arrest of these individuals prevented further violence from playing out on our streets,” Fordy said.
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“We’re not interested in moving this particular violence to another city. We want to advance prosecutions against those involved.”
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Gill had been previously arrested and charged with four firearms-related offences and the young offender, who was also previously arrested on four firearms related charges, is co-accused in these incidents and cannot be named due to his age at the time of the offences.
Fordy said since March, 30 arrests have been made, along with police seizing 15 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition and body armour — all related to the on-going conflicts. Fordy said he expects to see more arrests and charges coming soon.
“I believe that the arrest of these individuals has prevented further violence from occurring in our city,” Fordy said.
“Public safety remains our priority and we are fully committed to not only disrupting violent activity, but conducting in-depth investigations that can assist in the advancement of prosecutions.”
The arrests, Fordy said, are a result of the Surrey RCMP’s on-going efforts to target people involved in the drug trade and its resulting violence. There have already been more than 50 shootings in Surrey this year.
Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner added that she hopes the courts come down hard on anyone found guilty of a gun crime but that today is a “day to say we have made another round of significant progress.”
Police are continuing to appeal to the public for further information on any criminal activities of those who have recently been arrested. Anyone with more information is asked to contact Surrey RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
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