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Arrests a hit to UN Gang – Metro US

Arrests a hit to UN Gang

The alleged leader of one of the Lower Mainland’s most powerful gangs has been arrested along with four associates in what police said yesterday is a “major strike” against organized crime.

Barzan Tilli-Choli, 26, a known member of the UN Gang, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder in connection with a drive-by shooting in Surrey two weeks ago.

“One of the Lower Mainland’s number one threats to public safety has effectively been removed from circulation,” RCMP Deputy Commissioner Gary Bass said at a press conference.

Tilli-Choli has been charged in connection with a Feb. 16 shooting where an associate of the Bacon brothers was shot at while driving a Range Rover in Surrey.

Three other people in the vehicle were unharmed.

“It quickly became evident that this went well beyond this single targeted attack and beyond the borders of Surrey,” Bass said.

Investigators in that shooting integrated with an already existing joint forces operation called Project Rebellion.

Vancouver police Chief Jim Chu said yesterday’s announcement is one of the main reasons he became a police officer.

“It’s the satisfaction of being able to say, ‘We caught the bad guy,’” he said. “This is just the start. (In) the near future we’ll be announcing more gang arrests. The tide is starting to turn.”