firearm and drugsVancouver: A five-month Vancouver Police Department (VPD) investigation has led to the seizure of eight firearms and more than two kilograms of heroin, fentanyl, and fentanyl analogues. Four Lower Mainland-based gang associates have been arrested and charged with various drug-trafficking and firearms-related offences.

Project Tariff was initiated by the VPD in March to investigate the activities of the Heer / Dhillon/ Samra crime group, which was believed to be in conflict with other crimes groups involved in drug-trafficking and criminal activity throughout Metro Vancouver.

“We launched Project Tariff in response to increased reports of incidents of shots fired in Vancouver and the ongoing crime related to gang-activity,” said Superintendent Mike Porteous, Investigative Services, VPD. “Over the course of the investigation, we obtained substantial evidence of trafficking of firearms, fentanyl, and other illicit opioids by this group.”

Criminal Charges

In March, Crown Counsel approved numerous charges related to the investigation:

  • Jagraj Mushki Nijjar, 23, of Vancouver, has been charged with possession of a non-restricted firearm CCC 92(1), and
  • Jaskaran Singh Heer, 22, of Vancouver, has been charged with possession of a loaded restricted firearm CCC 95(1), intentionally discharging a restricted firearm CCC 244.2(3)(a), possession of a restricted firearm CCC 92(1), and possession of a firearm while prohibited CCC 117.01(1).

On August 10th, Crown Counsel approved further charges related to the investigation:

  • Harjot Singh Samra, 21, of Vancouver, has been charged with firearms trafficking (CCC 99 (1)(a)) and drug trafficking CDSA 5(1), and
  • Gary Gurpreet Dhillon, 25, of Richmond, has been charged with possession of proceeds of crime contrary to CDSA 5(1) and CCC 354(1)(a), and drug trafficking CDSA 5(1).

Firearms Seized

  • 9mm carbine semi-automatic assault rifle
  • Pietta PPS/50 .22 semi-automatic rifle
  • Remington 870 20-gauge pump-action shotgun
  • Maverick 12-gauge pump action sawed-off shotgun (prohibited)
  • Browning model A-Bolt action rifle
  • Three Kel Tec Sub 2000 9mm semi-automatic rifles

Drugs Seized

  • 26.97 grams (one ounce) of heroin, fentanyl, and carfentanil
  • 971 grams (approximately one kilogram) swabbed positive for heroin and methyl fentanyl (has yet to be analyzed by Health Canada)
  • 1021 grams (approximately one kilogram) of fentanyl