Vancouver police have identified six men they say are dangerous gangsters who put anyone around them at risk.
During a Monday (May 17) press conference, Chief Adam Palmer said that not only are the friends, family and acquaintances of the six men at risk, but so is anyone else who may find themselves near them.
The six men are Garinder Deo, 35, Harjit Deo, 38, Barinder Dhaliwal, 38, Meninder Dhaliwal, 28, Ekene Anigbo, 22, and Damion Ryan, 41.
“We believe these six gangsters pose a significant risk to the safety of the public,” said Palmer. “We’re also working very closely with CFS EU, the RCMP and other police agencies and I anticipate that you will see photos released from other agencies in short order for public safety purposes regionally.”
Palmer said that if anyone sees these men and feels unsafe to alert police but that if they see violence erupting, to get to safety as soon as possible.
“You want to run and get out of the way, or duck for cover,” Palmer said. “We would like people to call 911 right away.”
Palmer noted that there are no warrants out for these six men’s arrests, but that they are “very well known to police” and some have had prior charges.
We know who they are, we know where they live… we have lots of information about them,” he said.
Palmer said that Vancouver police do not believe the spate of recent shootings in the Lower Mainland will be the last.
“Gang violence in Metro Vancouver continues to escalate and police do not expect this trend to stop anytime soon,” he said.
“There have been 20 gang related homicides in Metro Vancouver in 2021 and 20 attempted murders during the same period of time. Police are expecting this violence to continue and to potentially escalate.”
Palmer had a message for anyone involved in gangs.
“When we investigate you, we will look at all means possible to disrupt and stop your activities. In addition to criminal sanctions, our investigators will seize your cars, will seize your homes, will seize your apartments and other valuables that you have gained through the proceeds of crime. We will use every investigative technique and lawful means profit possible to disrupt this gang violence.”
Deputy Chief Const. Fiona Wilson also announced Taskforce Threshold, launched on May 12. Wilson said that on Thursday evening police believe they disrupted planning for a gang shooting in the southern part of the city. Supt. Lisa Byrne said the task force identified a stolen car connected to gang activity in Vancouver.
Byrne said the car was “exhibiting suspicious behaviour” but said she could not go into detail. She said that gas canisters were found in the back of the vehicle, leading police to suspect the car was being prime for a common gang tactic in which cars are used for shootings and then ditched and burned in a neighbouring city. Two people, one of them a young offender, were arrested and charges are pending.
In an emailed statement to Black Press Media, Harjit Deo’s lawyer, Aman Oberoi, said their client’s inclusion in the list has put him and his family at a heightened risk of harm. Oberoi stated his client has not been involved in gang activity, and hasn’t lived in Vancouver for several years. Oberoi further stated his client has not had any police encounters in the recent or distant past.
Black Press Media has reached out to Vancouver Police for comment.
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