The police have arrested six suspected members of the Sanghera gang on 69 charges, toppling one of the most violent criminal organizations in Southeast Vancouver, police said Thursday.
A VPD video showed alleged boss Barjinder (Bobby) Singh Sanghera being arrested in front of his home without socks or shoes. He was then escorted into a police van.
Deputy Chief Const. Doug LePard said while Project Rebellion is cracking down on the recent increase in gang-related violence in Metro Vancouver, the VPD and Integrated Gang Task Force would intensify their efforts.
“It’s like a game of whack-a-mole,” LePard said. “You can’t make a difference just by taking them out one at a time.”
Chief Const. Jim Chu said the police are taking the gang wars very seriously.
“We will never rest, and we will never give up,” he said.
Insp. Mike Porteous described the Sanghera gang as a “family-based group” involved in mid-level drug trafficking.
“They are in conflict with other groups who are vying for drug territory, or retribution,” Porteous said.
An associate of Sanghera, 20-year-old John Peter Holler, is still at large. Police are recommending he turn himself in.
Sanghera, 31, faces several charges for assault and possession of restricted firearms.
Project Rebellion began in October of 2008 and has resulted in a total of 167 charges.
