Large organized crime network shut down by police

Police Notebook:

After an extensive, long-term investigation, Calgary’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU- Calgary) and the Calgary RCMP Integrated Proceeds of Crime (IPOC) Unit have arrested a number of people in connection with an ongoing criminal organization investigation with ties to Rocky View County.

On May 18, after receiving information about a group believed to be trafficking cocaine and marijuana in the Calgary region, the CFSEU-Calgary and IPOC executed search warrants at eight separate locations and seized 2.7 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of $270,000 and one kilogram of marijuana worth $10,000. In addition to drugs, there were also a number of weapons seized including one handgun, one shotgun and a conducted energy device (taser).

The group, which is believed to have ties to British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, also were in possession of a property in Rocky View County valued at $1.5 million. The property was searched and approximately $166,000 in cash, $18,000 in jewelry, and seven vehicles with a combined value of $110,000 were seized.

Parvinder Singh Bagri, 24; Kalwarn Singh Dhillon, 23; Apraj Singh Bassi, 22; and Keerit Singh Brar, 20, were charged with multiple counts of criminal organization, conspiracy, drug trafficking, firearms and proceeds of crime-related offences.

While Bagri is a resident of Rocky View, the other three accused are from the Lower Mainland.

Upon further investigation, five more individuals were charged each with one count of laundering the proceeds of crime and possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000. Those charged were Parvinder Bagri, 24, from Rocky View; Rajvinder Bagri, 22, from Rocky View; Gurdawar Bagri, 50, from Rocky View; Jatinder Bagri, 52, from Rocky View; and Kanwal Gill, 36, from Chestermere.

“The average Albertan may not realize how their lives are impacted every day by organized crime,” said CFSEU-Calgary Officer in Charge Gerry Francois.

“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.”

Break and enter

On Oct. 18, Cochrane RCMP responded to a break-and-enter at a rural residence in Rocky View County, just outside Calgary city limits.

According to reports, two men, between the ages of 20 and 30, entered the house around 10:45 p.m.

Once inside, they stole several personal items including passports, credit cards and electronics. Among the electronics was a new 60-inch TV, a rare red Fender Jazz Master guitar, an iPad and a red Gateway laptop computer.

Stored within the computer were a number of personal photos of the family’s deceased son that they do not have duplicates of. In the hopes of retrieving the photos, the family is making a plea to those involved to return the laptop as soon as possible.

Video surveillance pictures of the culprits were taken including a picture of their 2012 black Ford Focus hatchback.

The first man is described as about 5’8” to 5’10” with a slim build, light skin and short, dark hair. He was wearing an orange construction safety vest with a grey, white and black hooded sweatshirt underneath. He was also wearing a pair of dark-coloured jeans and white Puma shoes with a black stripe.

The second man is about 5’8” to 6’ with a slim build, light-coloured skin and short, dark hair. He was wearing a black jacket, light-coloured jeans and a grey and black baseball hat. He is also described as wearing black Puma shoes with a white stripe and a black backpack.

RCMP are seeking any information the public may have on this crime. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Cochrane RCMP at 403-851-8000.

Collision update

On Sept. 30, at the intersection of Township Road 250 and Clover Lane, southeast of Cochrane, RCMP were called out to a collision between a cyclist and a motor vehicle.

Once on the scene RCMP determined the vehicle was travelling westbound along Township Road 250 when he rapidly overtook a group of three cyclists who were also travelling in the same direction.

Once he passed the riders, the driver slowed and then quickly turned northbound onto Clover Lane. His unexpected turn caused two of the cyclists to swerve left of the vehicle in order to avoid colliding with it.

The third cyclist turned right and was hit by the passenger side of the vehicle. The rider was thrown from his bike into the ditch along the side of the road.

He was transported to a Calgary hospital were he was treated for his injuries, which were deemed non-life-threatening.

On Oct.17, a 21-year-old Calgary man was charged under the Traffic Safety Act for failing to return to his lane safely after passing the riders. His next appearance in Cochrane Provincial Court will be on Nov. 23.

If you have information on any unsolved crime, call you local RCMP detachment or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).