Several people have been arrested and charged with numerous criminal and drug related offences after a 3-year-long investigation by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-BC) into a prominent and violent gang.
In 2018, CFSEU-BC began a coordinated Provincial enforcement effort dubbed the “Brothers Keepers Task Force” which gained vital intelligence about the gang calling themselves the “Brothers Keepers”, their drug trafficking network, and violent gang activity that has impacted numerous communities around British Columbia. In July 2020, CFSEU-BC announced the initial results of the task force dedicated to conducting strategic and targeted disruption, suppression, stand enforcement on the gang. Please see original media release from July 21 , 2020.
The CFSEU-BC and other police agencies utilized the Provincial Tactical Enforcement Priority (PTEP) to aid in coordinated and collaborative efforts to identify who to target. In addition, innovative analytical tools, such as Social Network Analysis (SNA), assisted the CFSEU-BC to unveil intelligence and information, previously unknown, about the Brothers Keepers and
their networks and connections.
As a result of the intelligence collection strategy, CFSEU-BC’s task force initiated several investigations into Brothers Keepers gang members who posed a significant risk to public safety. One of these investigations gathered substantial evidence related to the inter-Provincial drug trafficking network of an alleged executive member of the Brothers Keepers, including their aggressive expansion of drug distribution territory from the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island and the Kamloops area.
During this investigation a total of 7 search warrants were executed in various locations throughout the province resulting in the following seized items;
• Over 11 kg of drugs including cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl
• A loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol
• Laboratory equipment and precursor chemicals utilized in the production and processing
of synthetic drugs
• Over $50,000 in Canadian cash
Charges have now been laid by Crown Council against six individuals for a total of 27 criminal and drug-related offences.
On November 3rd, the following individuals were charged with the associated offences
Amandeep Singh Kang, a 29-year-old male from Vancouver;
• 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
• 3 counts of possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking Kang has been arrested and remains in custody Andrew Miguel Best, a 21-year-old male from Vancouver Island;
• Traffic a controlled substance for the benefit of a criminal organization • Conspiring to traffic in a controlled substance
• Trafficking a controlled substance
• Possess a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking
CFSEU-BC has not been able to locate Best and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Dylan Robert Ferris, a 22-year-old male from Surrey has been arrested and remains in custody
• Possessing a restricted firearm without an authorization or license
• 2 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
• Trafficking a controlled substance
Jannat Bibi Nadeem, a 21-year-old female from Surrey;
• 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
• Possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking
CFSEU-BC has not been able to locate Nadeem and a warrant has been issued for her arrest Moshmem Khanun Khan, a 45-year-old female from Surrey;
• Trafficking a controlled substance for the benefit of a criminal organization • Conspiring to traffic in a controlled substance
• Trafficking a controlled substance
• Possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking
Khan was arrested and released from custody Tanisha Bhatti, a 25-year-old female from Vancouver;
• Conspiring to traffic in a controlled substance Bhatti was arrested and remains in custody
“This multi-year collaborative effort led by CFSEU-BC, with funding from the Province of British Columbia, through its support of the Provincial Tactical Enforcement Priority initiative and dedicated funding of investigative teams, like the CFESU-BC’s Anti-Trafficking Task Force has unveiled the anatomy of the Brothers Keepers. It has also allowed us, and our partners, to focus on strategic disruption and enforcement efforts, so they have the greatest chance of impact,” says Superintendent Duncan Pound, CFSEU-BC’s Operations Officer.
“CFSEU-BC continues to work with our partner agencies to ensure a collaborative Provincial law enforcement effort to tackle gangs, firearms, opioid trafficking and organized crime violence. Together, law enforcement will suppress, disrupt, and take long term enforcement action against groups like the Brothers Keepers who show such wanton disregard for the well-being of British Columbians,” says Assistant Commissioner Manny Mann, CFSEU-BC’s Chief Officer.
The Brothers Keepers Task Force will continue to assist other agencies with coordinating intelligence and investigations. Several investigations by CFSEU-BC and our partner agencies are at various stages. Further announcements in relation to charges can be expected from our partners.
The CFSEU-BC would like to acknowledge and thank the many RCMP detachments, municipal police departments and investigative units across British Columbia, the Correctional Service
of Canada, British Columbia Corrections, B.C. Sheriffs Service, the Integrated Homicide Investigations Team, Canada Border Services Agency, and others for their ongoing commitment to reducing the threat that organized crime groups pose to British Columbians.