The CFSEU-BC claims they've stopped the Lower Mainland gang known as the Brothers Keepers from penetrating Nanaimo's drug market. (CFSEU-BC)

By Spencer Sterritt

Brothers Keepers

‘A high level threat to public safety:’ Lower Mainland gang stopped from expanding to Nanaimo

Jul 21, 2020 | 12:12 PM

NANAIMO — An anti-gang task force says it has prevented a notorious Lower Mainland gang from expanding into the Nanaimo area.

Though the Brothers Keepers only have 12 core members, they have nearly 200 associates.

Sgt. Brenda Winpenny with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C. said the task force was created in 2018 to combat the Brothers Keepers’ “involvement with organized crime, drug trafficking and the level of street violence” and curb their “high level threat to public safety.”

Winpenny said intelligence gathered about the core gang members and their affiliates showed they were attempting to move into the Nanaimo area, after already entering Vancouver Island and spreading across Canada.

“Disruption techniques we used in this case could be as simple as Motor Vehicle Act violations, or arresting prohibited drivers, really preventing and inhibiting their ability to operate and conduct their drug trafficking activity.”

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Since 2018, the enforcement unit has seized over 30 kilograms of suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine.

Winpenny said the unit believes they’ve prevented millions of lethal overdoses in B.C. by seizing the large amount of drugs.

No charges related to Nanaimo have yet been laid.

Winpenny said the file is now with Crown prosecutors and they look forward to disclosing more after charges are laid.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt