Fourteen people are facing 92 charges in what Lower Mainland police are calling a “major blow” to gang activity in the region.
Task Force Tourniquet, a combined operation drawing officers from multiple agencies, says it has also seized more than $1.6 million in cash and jewelry, collector cars worth about $350,000, 93 guns and 59 “prohibited items,” including a pressure cooker improvised explosive device.
Police also seized more than 9.5 kilograms of fentanyl and nearly 40 kilograms of other illegal drugs.
The charges and seizures were the product of Project Territory, the most recent of the task force’s operations targeting gang activity.
WATCH: Metro Vancouver police are showing off millions of dollars in guns, drugs, jewels and cash seized in Task Force Tourniquet
“Successes like this investigation could not come about without significant co-ordination, collaboration, and communication at all levels,” said Supt. Brian Gateley, acting Chief Officer of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) in a media release.
“The seizure of deadly firearms and drugs in this investigation will undoubtedly save lives.”
Project Territory was a 17-month investigation targeting the Kang/Latimer group, which police describe as a family criminal operation with ties to the Red Scorpion Gang, including Jamie Bacon and Kyle Latimer.
It includes Sarmeet Kang, Gary Kang and Randy Kang (now dead), along with their parents and other associates.
Police believe the Kang group and the Red Scorpions shared common interests in drug lines and performed attacks for each other.
According to police, since its formation in March 2017, operations by Task Force Tourniquet have led to 201 charges against 34 people. The task force includes officers from the CFSEU-BC, Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), RCMP, and five Lower Mainland municipal police departments.
“Project Territory was wide-sweeping and has been very successful. We have taken weapons off of the street and disrupted violent activities being committed by several different crime groups,” said Vancouver police Staff Sgt. Lisa Byrne, team commander for Task Force Tourniquet.
“In this case, we have charged individuals involved in criminal organization, which includes family members who participated in the criminal dealings.”
The following 14 people are now facing a variety of charges, including drug trafficking, firearms possession, proceeds of crime and participation in a criminal organization.
- Kyle Latimer, 27
- Sameet Kang, 26
- Gary Kang, 22
- Craig Latimer, 55
- Csongor Szucs, 29
- Anduelle Pikientio, 22
- Jacob Pereira, 25
- Jitesh Vagh, 37
- Kristopher Ghuman, 21
- Pashminder Boparai, 29
- Manveer Braich, 30
- Ranbir Kang, 48
- Mohanvir Kang, 50
- Gurcharn Kang, 68