Eight people are facing more than 100 charges in connection to alleged criminal activity in the Calgary area.
The charges follow a nearly year long investigation into drugs and weapons in the Calgary region as well as B.C.’s lower mainland.
In May of 2012, Calgary’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit and the RCMP Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit searched eight locations and seized:
- 2.7 kg of cocaine (estimated street value $270,000)
- 1 kg of marijuana (estimated street value $10,000)
- Weapons including a handgun, a shotgun and a conducted energy device
A week after the initial search and seizure, a crime restraint order was granted against a $1.5 million property in the Rocky View, Alberta, where officers seized:
- $166,000 cash
- Jewelry worth more than $18,000
- Seven vehicles totaling approximately $110,000
Three men originally from British Columbia, 23-year-old Kalwarn Singh Dhillon, 22-year-old Apraj Singh Bassi and 20-year-old Keerit Singh Brar, as well as 24-year-old Parvinder Singh Bagri of Rocky View, face charges related to criminal organization, conspiracy, drug trafficking, firearms, and proceeds of crime-related offences.
Bagri is also charged with one count of laundering the proceeds of crime and one count of possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000.
On October 11, 2012, the following people were also charged with one count of laundering the proceeds of crime and one count of possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000:
- 22-year-old Rajvinder Bagri of Rocky View
- 50-year-old Gurdawar Bagri of Rocky View
- 52-year-old Jatinder Bagri of Rocky View
- 36-year-old Kanwal Gill of Chestermere
“The average Albertan may not realize how their lives are impacted every day by organized crime,” said Gerry Francois, officer in charge of CFSEU-Calgary. “From the more obvious like violence in the community, to the less obvious like increased utility and bank fees as institutions try to regain losses associated with fraud, there are countless ways our lives are touched by this criminal activity.”
