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The Wolfpack Alliance is a Canadian organized crime group that has been involved in various criminal activities such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and murder. Founded in 2010, the group emerged primarily from the Lower Mainland of British Columbia (BC), with leaders coming from prominent gangs including the Hells Angels, Red Scorpions, and Independent Soldiers. The Wolfpack was not a singular gang but rather a loose alliance of several criminal organizations united by mutual interests in drug distribution and territory control. Origins and Leadership Image: Left: One of the Wolfpack gang founders, Larry Amero, also of the Hells Angels is pictured with the late Randy Naicker (right) who founded the Independent Soldiers. Naicker was shot to death in 2012 in Port Moody. Amero was arrested and charged in relation to 2012 murder plots of Sandip Duhre and Sukhveer Dhak. (Vancouver Sun) The Wolfpack Alliance was created in 2010 by Larry Amero, a member of the Hells Angels, as a "side project," with the collaboration of figures such as Jonathan Bacon of the Red Scorpions, and James Riach and Randy Naicker from the Independent Soldiers. The alliance's primary role was to distribute cocaine from the Sinaloa Cartel, the notorious Mexican drug syndicate led by Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. The Wolfpack's structure was decentralized, involving leaders in different provinces such as BC, Ontario, and Montreal. While the group operated across Canada, it also established ties with international criminals, notably the Rizzuto family in Montreal and the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. Members of the group communicated through encrypted texts and were involved in large-scale drug smuggling, particularly cocaine, with a reported 400 kilograms smuggled monthly into Montreal by 2012. Key Members Prominent members of the Wolfpack include: Larry Amero: A high-ranking Hells Angels member and one of the founders of the Wolfpack. Jonathan Bacon: Leader of the Red Scorpions gang and one of the founding members. James Riach and Randy Naicker: Members of the Independent Soldiers who played major roles in the early expansion of the Wolfpack. Johnny Raposo and Martino Caputo: Notable members involved in cocaine trafficking and internal power struggles. Nick Nero: A notorious drug smuggler connected to the Niagara operation and the Wolfpack's expansion in Ontario. Expansion & Criminal Activities The group quickly expanded its operations beyond Vancouver, with significant involvement in Ontario, Montreal, and Niagara Falls. They acted as intermediaries for the Sinaloa Cartel, smuggling large quantities of cocaine through ports and hidden compartments in trucks. The Wolfpack became notorious for its international operations, utilizing both old-school methods and modern encrypted communications to further their activities. One of the major operations involved smuggling cocaine into Montreal, a city critical for Canadian organized crime due to its access to international trade routes. The West End Gang in Montreal and the Rizzuto family in Montreal were aligned with the Wolfpack, leveraging their influence to expand smuggling operations. The Gang War The Wolfpack Alliance was heavily involved in a long-running gang war that started in 2010 following the murder of Gurmit Singh Dhak, a leader of the Dhak-Duhre gang. This event escalated violence across BC, culminating in multiple killings, including the murder of Jonathan Bacon in 2011. The conflict drew in various gangs, including the United Nations gang, Red Scorpions, and the Siderno Group from Ontario. Key incidents in this war included several high-profile killings and attempts on the lives of Wolfpack members, such as Sukh Dhak and Johnny Raposo, as well as retaliatory strikes. Notably, in 2012, Jonathan Bacon was killed in a drive-by shooting in Kelowna, which further intensified the violence. The Murder of Johnny Raposo Image: John Raposo, 35, shot dead on the patio of the Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe on June 18, 2022 in Toronto. (CBC) Johnny Raposo, a high-ranking member of the Wolfpack Alliance, was murdered on June 18, 2012, at the Sicilian Sidewalk Café in Toronto. The murder stemmed from a personal and business dispute involving Martino Caputo, a member of the Rizzuto family, and Nick Nero, a protégé of Caputo. Raposo, who had a close professional relationship with Caputo, became the target after Caputo became jealous of Raposo’s romantic involvement with Tamara Fletcher, the identical twin sister of Tawnya Fletcher, who was engaged to Nick Nero. Caputo, enraged by Raposo’s affair with Tamara, plotted to have him killed to remove him from the equation and regain control of the situation. Nick Nero, who harbored deep resentment toward Raposo, was tasked with carrying out the murder. Caputo also enlisted Rabih Alkhalil, who arranged for Dean Wiwchar, a hitman, to carry out the assassination. On June 18, 2012, Raposo was sitting in the Sicilian Sidewalk Café in Toronto’s Little Italy, watching the Euro Cup match between Ireland and Italy. Wiwchar, dressed as a construction worker to blend in, approached Raposo from behind and shot him four times in the head and once in the neck, instantly killing him. Image: Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe were John Romero, 35, was shot dead. The murder was motivated by a mix of jealousy, betrayal, and a desire for control over the cocaine trafficking operations that Raposo, Caputo, and others were involved in. Raposo had been part of a joint venture with the Sinaloa Cartel to bring in large shipments of cocaine, and his share of the profits was substantial. Caputo and his associates feared losing their share if Raposo continued to challenge the power dynamics within their group. After the murder, Raposo's $500,000 cash stash was stolen, and the $5 million cocaine shipment he was supposed to help distribute was lost, enraging the Sinaloa Cartel, which subsequently issued threats of retribution. This murder escalated the violence within the Wolfpack Alliance, and it led to the eventual convictions of key figures involved in Raposo’s killing, including Caputo, Alkhalil, Nero, and Wiwchar. The murder of Johnny Raposo remains one of the most brutal and significant acts of violence within Canadian organized crime in the 2010s. The Montreal and Niagara Operations The Montreal operation played a crucial role in the Wolfpack's expansion, leveraging the city's strategic location and corrupt trucking industry to facilitate large-scale cocaine imports, particularly from Mexico and Peru. Montreal’s access to major highways and its proximity to New York City made it an ideal hub for drug distribution across Canada. The Wolfpack utilized corrupt trucking operations to move large quantities of cocaine through bonded trucking companies, ensuring a steady flow of shipments into the country. The Niagara operation, led by Nicola “Nick” Nero, was another vital component of the Wolfpack’s drug smuggling network, responsible for moving massive amounts of cocaine via trucks and boats from the United States into Canada. Nero, described by a high school classmate as “dumb as a bag of hair,” quickly rose to prominence in the organization despite his reckless and volatile nature. He partnered closely with Martino Caputo, a Toronto-based associate of the Rizzuto crime family, further cementing his influence in the region. Authorities suspected that Nero had no intention of following his parole conditions, as he repeatedly violated them, triggering a police investigation called Project Ink. This probe led to a major bust in February 2012, when authorities seized 110 kilograms of cocaine worth $30 million from a warehouse in St. Catharines, a location directly linked to Nero. Despite this, Nero continued to expand his operation, smuggling an average of 400 kilograms of cocaine per week into the Niagara Peninsula through a combination of truck routes, shipping networks, and hidden compartments in cargo vessels. Nero’s ambitions extended far beyond Canada. In a May 2012 text message to Alfonso “Al” Inclima, a car dealer-turned-drug trafficker, Nero discussed how corrupt Air Canada personnel could be used to smuggle cocaine shipments worth $750,000 CAD per week into Toronto. When Inclima suggested expanding into Argentina, Nero became furious, berating him via text: “Bro!!! U [you] are supposed to resolve things and get answers and confirm dates. I’m more confused now!!!!!” Later that day, Nero proposed expanding operations into Europe, specifically the United Kingdom, where he calculated that the profit margin on cocaine sales could be double that of Toronto. He messaged Inclima: “Do they have British Airways[?] We get 4000 pds [pounds] in UK per.” Nero was also eyeing Shanghai as a potential market, directing Inclima to seek out corrupt aircrews willing to transport cocaine into China. Meanwhile, he was in talks with Mohammed Reza Amin Torabi, a Vancouver-based bodybuilder and two-time Mr. Canada champion, about using the Port of Vancouver for cocaine shipments. Their agreement specified that 25% of the profits would go to Torabi in exchange for his role in logistics. Despite his growing power, Nero’s erratic decision-making and reckless expansion plans ultimately brought unwanted attention from both law enforcement and his cartel suppliers, leading to increasing tensions within the Wolfpack. His botched deals, failed security measures, and arrogance in communications would soon contribute to the group’s downfall. Downfall and Law Enforcement Efforts The Sinaloa Cartel eventually sidelined the Wolfpack, taking over the smuggling routes and bypassing the group in favor of direct distribution. This shift marked the beginning of the Wolfpack's decline in the early 2010s. However, law enforcement agencies in Canada and Mexico continued their pursuit of the group's leaders, culminating in numerous arrests and convictions. Several high-ranking members of the Wolfpack Alliance, including Larry Amero, Martino Caputo, and Rabih Alkhalil, were arrested and charged for their roles in serious organized crime activities, including murder, drug trafficking (particularly cocaine), and money laundering. Specifically, they were involved in distributing large quantities of cocaine from the Sinaloa Cartel and laundering the proceeds through various methods, including investments in legitimate businesses and smuggling operations. The Project Loquace operation in 2012 led to the arrest of multiple Wolfpack members in Montreal as law enforcement cracked down on their extensive network. However, some significant figures, like Frédéric Lavoie and Timoleaon Psiharis, managed to escape arrest. Lavoie, who was deeply involved in the smuggling and drug distribution network, later faced a violent death in Colombia in 2014, where he was dismembered and murdered by unknown assailants, likely as part of a message from the Sinaloa Cartel. Psiharis, another high-ranking member, was murdered in Greece in 2014 under similarly violent circumstances, believed to be in retaliation for his role in the Wolfpack’s operations and his connection to sensitive criminal activities. Continued Influence and Current Operations Despite being significantly weakened by law enforcement, the Wolfpack Alliance's influence has not disappeared. As of 2023, law enforcement still recognizes the group as a significant force in Canada's criminal underworld, especially in areas like Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, where drug trafficking remains rampant. Final Thoughts: The Wolfpack Alliance The Wolfpack Alliance's rise and fall reflect the changing nature of organized crime in Canada. If you want to learn more, have a read of this book author Peter Edwards, " The Wolfpack: The Millennial Mobsters Who Brought Chaos and the Cartels to the Canadian Underworld." Stay safe! Related reading: Shui Fong Gang Red Scorpions Kang Crime Group The Dhak-Duhre Group Independent Soldiers Gang The Hells Angels The Big Circle Gang United Nations Gang

Image: Hood Chronicles They started as a ragtag group of teenagers in Aldergrove—loud, reckless, and mostly overlooked. The RCMP dismissed them as “punks”, little more than high school troublemakers tagging buildings and getting into fights. But no one saw what was coming. Within a decade, the 856 Gang had transformed into a multi-million-dollar criminal empire, dominating the Lower Mainland and stretching into the Northwest Territories. Their trade? Cocaine, guns, and fear. They infiltrated BC’s underworld, first aligning with Hells Angels, then turning against them in a murder that ignited a war. They left behind a trail of bodies, violent drug disputes, and a reputation for brutality that made even veteran gangsters wary. This is the full story—names, dates, crimes, betrayals, and the bloody power struggles that turned the 856 Gang into one of the most feared criminal organizations in Canada.   856 Gang Details Founding Location Aldergrove, BC Years Active 2003-Present Territory Lower Mainland, Yellowknife Ethnicity White Canadian Criminal Activities Arms trafficking, Drug trafficking, Extortion, Murder Allies Red Scorpions Rivals Hells Angels, UN (gang) Rise to Power: The Making of the 856 Gang It started as nothing more than a group of misfit teenagers—kids looking for trouble, scrawling their initials into lockers, smoking behind the school, and picking fights in the back alleys of Aldergrove, British Columbia. In 2003, the 856 gang—named after the area’s telephone prefix—was little more than a high school clique known for vandalism and petty theft. But something changed in the mid-2000s. A shift occurred, violent and fast, turning the group into something more dangerous than local law enforcement had ever anticipated. The Langley RCMP dismissed them early on. Just another gang of punks—kids who would eventually outgrow their antics. That was the assumption. But in September 2007, that assumption collapsed when Len Pelletier, a Hells Angels associate, was nearly gunned down in his vehicle. Suddenly, the 856 gang was under intense police surveillance. The incident linked them to organized crime in a way that couldn't be ignored. Inspector Richard Konarski, a veteran with the Langley RCMP, took a personal interest in dismantling the gang. He compiled profiles on eight key members, all between the ages of 15 and 18—a group of tight-knit friends and relatives who were already entrenched in criminal activity. That same year, the RCMP made a bold move, arresting all six core members in one coordinated sweep. Some were sent to juvenile detention, while others were transferred to separate schools, cut off from their network. Their former high school principal, Charlie Fox, believed that was the end of them. He was wrong. By 2008, Jason Francis Wallace, one of the gang’s rising figures, had been charged with attempted murder for a stabbing at a graduation party. The gang had resurfaced, and they weren’t just vandalizing street signs anymore—they were building something. With the Hells Angels backing them, the 856 gang had begun trafficking drugs into Northern British Columbia, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. It was an arrangement that suited both sides: the Hells Angels supplied the product, and the 856 gang handled distribution in remote areas that were lucrative but too far from the Angels’ primary turf. Their operations expanded rapidly. By 2013, the RCMP had uncovered a massive drug pipeline stretching from Alberta to Yellowknife, moving millions of dollars in cocaine, firearms, and cash. Six search warrants were executed that year, leading to the arrests of multiple gang members. But the gang’s response was calculated. In early 2014, authorities charged 12 more individuals with drug trafficking on behalf of the 856. That same year, police seized $400,000 worth of drugs in a raid on an apartment complex at 4600-block of 236th Street in Langley. The operation revealed the gang’s true level of sophistication—not just street-level dealers, but a fully functional drug reprocessing and repackaging facility. The 856 gang was no longer a group of teenagers. They were becoming a criminal empire. By August 2014, Project Gloom was launched. The RCMP’s special task force had been tracking the gang’s movements and uncovered evidence that a new crew had been dispatched to replace the members who had been arrested. They weren’t just looking to maintain their operation—they were expanding. Then, in April 2015, it happened. A drive-by shooting, an internal betrayal, and two 856 members arrested for attempting to kill one of their own. But even that didn’t stop them. By July 2015, the RCMP executed two more search warrants, leading to 23 additional arrests. Firearms, cocaine, MDMA, heroin, and stacks of cash were seized in Whitehorse. But just like before, for every member they arrested, another stepped up to take their place. They were becoming a force that even the Hells Angels had to take seriously. And soon, blood would be spilled. 856 Gang vs Hells Angels For years, the 856 gang and the Hells Angels had an unspoken understanding. The Angels let them operate in northern territories, a region the bikers had little interest in, and in return, the 856 gang stayed out of the Angels' primary turf in Metro Vancouver. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement—until it wasn’t. The tipping point came in 2016. At the time, Bob Green, a high-ranking Hells Angels member, was considered one of the key figures responsible for keeping the peace between the two groups. Green had been with the Angels for over 20 years, an enforcer and strategist who helped broker drug distribution deals. His murder in October 2016, at the hands of Jason Francis Wallace, shattered that peace in an instant. The killing took place at a party in Langley, a Hells Angels clubhouse, where Green and Wallace—both heavily intoxicated on cocaine, alcohol, and nitrous oxide—had an altercation that ended with a single gunshot. Witnesses reported that Green repeatedly taunted Wallace, telling him he couldn’t kill him, until Wallace pulled the trigger. Wallace realized almost immediately that he had made a mistake—a mistake that could cost him his life. Hours after shooting Hells Angel Bob Green, Jason Wallace sat alone, strung out and spiraling. The drugs, the booze, the weight of what he had done—everything crashed down at once. He drove to the remote woods near Harrison Lake, a place he had camped before, but there was no comfort in familiar ground. Desperate, he called his friend Justin. This time, Justin answered. But before Wallace could get a word out, another voice took over the call. The stranger didn’t waste time. Wallace had two choices: take his own life or turn himself in to the Hells Angels, who would handle it for him. If he refused? His family would be executed. Wallace sat with the weight of that threat, the world closing in. But by the next morning—October 17, 2016—he made a different choice. At 9:30 a.m., he dialed 911. His voice was raw, panicked, barely holding together. He confessed to killing Green during the 19-hour, drug-fueled party inside a makeshift gang clubhouse. And he told police his family was in danger. His arrest may have saved his life, but the same couldn’t be said for his closest friend, Shaun Clary—the man who had brought the gun to the party. Raw footage of Jason Wallace being arrested Ten days later, Clary’s dismembered body was dumped on Robertson Crescent in Langley. A message. A warning. A promise that the killing wasn’t over. Authorities immediately suspected the Hells Angels. Clary had been a well-connected 856 gang member, and his brutal murder sent a ripple effect through the gang’s structure. For years, the Hells Angels had tolerated them, allowed them to grow and expand—but that alliance was over. From that moment on, the 856 gang became one of the most targeted groups in British Columbia. The gang, already reeling from 23 major arrests in 2015, suddenly found itself at war with a much larger, more powerful organization. The balance of power had shifted—and 856 was on the losing end. Law enforcement saw an opportunity. With the Hells Angels hunting them down, the RCMP intensified their crackdown. Within six months, multiple 856 associates were arrested. More than 126 grams of crack cocaine, ecstasy, firearms, and cash were seized in a series of raids across Yellowknife and Whitehorse. But the real blow came in 2017. Wallace, now facing trial, pleaded guilty to manslaughter with a firearm. In an emotional courtroom hearing, his lawyer claimed he was wracked with guilt over Green’s death, insisting the shooting was an accident fueled by drugs and alcohol. Despite facing a second-degree murder charge, he was sentenced to six years in prison. For the Hells Angels, that wasn’t justice—it was an insult. Image: Hell's Angels (Kelowna Daily Courier) With Wallace behind bars, the Hells Angels’ vendetta against the 856 gang didn’t stop. Violence escalated. The 856 gang’s strongholds in northern British Columbia and the Yukon became battlegrounds, with police noting a spike in retaliatory attacks and disappearances. Even with their leadership in shambles, the gang refused to die. They adapted, shifted their operations, brought in new recruits, and continued trafficking drugs across Western Canada. But they would never again operate with the same level of impunity. By 2018, authorities declared that the 856 gang had been “crippled”. Their network was fractured, their leadership diminished, and their alliance with the Hells Angels completely severed. But like a snake shedding its skin, the 856 wasn’t gone—just evolving. The Next Chapter: Rebuilding from the Ashes By 2018, the 856 gang was in shambles. The Hells Angels had severed all ties, turning their former allies into targets. RCMP-led crackdowns had resulted in dozens of high-profile arrests, including Jason Francis Wallace’s six-year manslaughter sentence. Drug operations in Yellowknife, Whitehorse, and northern British Columbia were crippled by consecutive multi-million-dollar seizures. Yet, despite the heavy losses, the gang refused to dissolve. Instead, they adapted. By 2019, intelligence reports indicated that new leadership had stepped in. Many of the old guard had been arrested, killed, or had gone into hiding, but the organization itself remained intact. The next generation of 856 members wasn’t interested in rebuilding old alliances. They had a different strategy—diversification and expansion. Shifting Territories & New Alliances With Langley and Aldergrove under intense law enforcement scrutiny, the 856 gang began shifting its base of operations further east. Intelligence reports linked them to drug networks in Alberta, particularly in Edmonton and Calgary, where police noted an increase in 856-affiliated dealers moving cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. But the biggest shift came with new alliances. Rather than trying to rekindle ties with the Hells Angels, the 856 gang began working with independent traffickers and smaller organized crime groups. One of the most notable connections was with the Red Scorpions, a notorious Lower Mainland gang that had been at war with the United Nations (UN) gang for years. Image: Randeep Kang, left, with Sam Kang right and a friend in the middle in undated Instagram photo ( Vancouver Sun ) The Red Scorpions were weakened by internal betrayals and leadership assassinations, leaving them in need of reliable enforcers and drug runners—roles the 856 gang quickly stepped in to fill. This new partnership allowed 856 members to operate in Metro Vancouver once again, using their experience in northern territories to push drugs through remote communities where law enforcement was stretched thin. But expansion came at a cost. The Rise of New Rivals: The UN Gang & Other Enemies Convicted gangster Jamie Bacon (Coastal Reporter) With their increasing footprint in Alberta and Metro Vancouver, the 856 gang found themselves clashing with another criminal powerhouse—the United Nations gang. The UN gang, long considered one of British Columbia’s most powerful multi-ethnic organized crime groups, was known for its brutal enforcement tactics and connections to international drug cartels. Unlike the Hells Angels, who had rules and preferred to keep alliances intact, the UN gang had no such hesitations about wiping out competition. By late 2019, authorities linked several shootings in Surrey, Abbotsford, and Burnaby to a growing turf war between UN affiliates and 856 members. Some 856 dealers were found executed, their bodies dumped in remote logging roads and industrial areas, a calling card of the UN gang's enforcement crews. But 856 wasn’t backing down. Rather than retreating, they brought in fresh recruits—young, desperate, and willing to take bigger risks for fast cash. Many of these new members were barely in their twenties, recruited from low-income neighborhoods in Langley, Surrey, and Edmonton. RCMP surveillance caught several high-ranking 856 members training new recruits in weapons handling, drug distribution, and evasion tactics. The gang was militarizing, preparing for what was quickly becoming an all-out war. 2020-2021: The Fentanyl Expansion & Increased Police Crackdowns By 2020, 856 had fully embraced fentanyl trafficking. Previously, their primary focus had been cocaine and methamphetamine, but the fentanyl epidemic presented a new, highly lucrative opportunity.  Unlike cocaine, which required complicated supply chains, fentanyl could be sourced in bulk from international suppliers and then cut, pressed into fake oxycodone pills, and sold at massive profit margins. Police investigations linked 856 operations to fentanyl labs in BC and Alberta, with Edmonton becoming a key hub for distribution. By this point, law enforcement considered 856 one of the most dangerous mid-level crime groups in Western Canada. Between 2020 and 2021, coordinated RCMP raids in Alberta and British Columbia resulted in the seizure of: Over $1.2 million in cash More than 10 kilograms of fentanyl (enough for thousands of lethal doses) Large quantities of cocaine, MDMA, and heroin Military-grade firearms, including semi-automatic rifles and handguns with extended magazines But despite the arrests, the gang continued to operate. Every time a high-ranking member was taken down, another stepped in to replace them. 2022-Present: A Gang That Won’t Die Today, the 856 gang remains active, but its future is uncertain. From a small group of high school punks to a fully operational drug empire, they’ve rebranded, rebuilt, and retaliated time and time again. The RCMP considers them one of British Columbia’s most persistent organized crime groups—a reminder that in the criminal underworld, power never truly disappears … it just shifts hands. Related reading: The Wolfpack Alliance in BC 10 Self Defense Tools You Can Legally Carry In Canada Bindy Johal’s Net Worth: How Much Did He Really Make from Crime?

Nabil Alkhalil (L) , Hisham (Terry) Alkhalil and Rahib (Robby) Alkhalil (R). THEDIRTY.COM It started with a plane touching down on Canadian soil—another family of refugees escaping war, seeking a fresh start. But within a generation, the Alkhalil name would be whispered in fear across Canada’s criminal underworld. The five brothers—Nabil, Mahmoud, Hisham, Mahmoud and Rabih—didn’t just dip into crime; they built an empire of drug smuggling, gangland executions, and high-stakes betrayals, stretching from Vancouver’s back alleys to Mexico’s cartel strongholds. All five brothers were born in Saudi Arabia to Palestinian refugee parents before immigrating to Canada in 1990 as refugees. The five brothers included: Nabil Alkhalil (1976–2018) Khalil Alkhalil (1981–2001) Hisham "Terry" Alkhalil (born 1982) Mahmoud Alkhalil (1984–2003) Rabih "Robby" Alkhalil (born 8 May 1987) The craziest part of their tale? Rabih Alkhalil, wasn’t just Canada’s most wanted fugitive—he had pulled off a Hollywood-style prison escape, walking out of a maximum-security facility dressed as a construction worker, vanishing without a trace. This is the real story behind the Alkhalil crime family. The Murder of Khalil Alkhalil: The First Shot A Violent Reputation at 19 By the time 19-year-old Khalil Alkhalil was found dead on January 18, 2001, his body riddled with six bullets, his name was already well known to law enforcement. Despite his young age, Khalil had built a reputation for violence and intimidation, accumulating convictions for assault, weapons possession, uttering death threats, and obstruction of police. His killer, 20-year-old Martin Naud, was an automobile mechanic's apprentice and a low-level drug dealer. According to Naud, Khalil had attempted to rob him at gunpoint, demanding $200 worth of drugs. In the struggle, Naud wrestled the gun away from Khalil and fired six shots at close range, hitting him multiple times in the chest and abdomen. Khalil collapsed in the entranceway of a Surrey apartment complex, bleeding out before paramedics arrived. The execution-style nature of the killing immediately raised suspicions, leading to Naud’s arrest and charge for second-degree murder. Read: 10 Self Defense Tools You Can Legally Carry In Canada A Courtroom Showdown The violence didn’t end with Khalil’s murder. Just over two weeks later, on February 3, 2001, when Naud was granted bail, the Alkhalil family descended upon the courtroom in New Westminster, ready to send a message. Around 30 of them, including Khalil’s brothers Mahmoud and Nabil, filled the room, glowering at Naud’s family and legal team. When Naud’s female friend walked by, one of the Alkhalil women snapped, “You scared, bitch? You better be!” The tension escalated when Naud’s release was confirmed—the Alkhalil family erupted in rage, cursing at the judge and Crown Attorney. But their final display was the most chilling. As Naud left the courtroom, the Alkhalils began to chant in Arabic: “Khalil’s not dead!” “One Alkhalil is gone, but there are still hundreds of us! You will have to face us all!” The courthouse, which had seen its share of gang-related cases, had never witnessed such an open display of hostility and vengeance. Things turned physical when Naud’s lawyer, Philip Rankin, tried to leave the courtroom. Mahmoud Alkhalil suddenly lunged at him, punching him in the face so hard that one of Rankin’s teeth broke on impact. The attack wasn’t just about anger—it was a deliberate message that anyone standing with Naud was an enemy. Terrorizing the Naud Family What followed was months of relentless intimidation. The Naud family home was targeted at least three times—gunshots were fired into their house, shattering windows and embedding bullets in the walls. One night, a machete was left embedded in their front lawn, a silent but unmistakable death threat. Anonymous leaflets began circulating in their neighborhood, branding Naud a murderer and encouraging vigilante justice. The harassment became unbearable, forcing Naud’s mother to flee BC. She left behind everything, terrified that staying would mean a death sentence for her or her son. Naud’s lawyer, Philip Rankin, wasn’t spared either. Over the following months, Mahmoud Alkhalil tracked him down and assaulted him on multiple occasions—punching him in the stomach in one instance, and ambushing him outside his office in another. Rankin, a seasoned lawyer, had dealt with criminals before, but never had he been physically attacked by the family of an accused person. A Trial That Ended in Acquittal When Naud’s murder trial began in 2002, it became clear how deep the feud between the Alkhalil family and their enemies had already become. At trial, Naud testified that Khalil had tried to rob him and that he only shot in self-defense.  The evidence supported his claim—Naud himself had been shot in the hand during the struggle, and forensic experts determined that Khalil had gunpowder residue on his fingers, proving he had fired first. On November 7, 2002, the jury ruled in Naud’s favor—acquitting him of all charges on the grounds of self-defense. For Naud, however, this was not the end. The Execution of Martin Naud On April 11, 2003, less than five months after the trial, Naud’s father, Raymond Naud, was shot and wounded inside his own house. Though he survived, it was clear the attacks on the Naud family had not stopped. Then, on July 5, 2004, Martin Naud himself was executed in Kelowna. As he was getting out of his car, an unknown gunman approached and fired multiple shots. Naud was hit in the chest and head, killing him instantly. Police strongly suspected that the Alkhalil family had ordered the hit, but no one was ever arrested for the killing. The murder of Khalil Alkhalil in 2001 had set off a chain reaction of bloodshed that continued for decades, fueling a long-standing gang war between the Alkhalils and the Dhak-Duhre group. Read: Your Self-Defense Canada Kit The Dhak-Duhre Gang Naud was working as a low-level drug dealer with ties to the Dhak-Duhre group, a criminal organization that was deeply entrenched in British Columbia's drug trade. The Dhak-Duhre group, led by the Dhak brothers (Sukhvir and Gurmit Dhak) and the Duhre brothers (Balraj, Sandip, and Paul Duhre), was known for its violent turf wars with rival gangs, including the Hells Angels and Red Scorpions. They were a dominant force in Metro Vancouver's underworld, controlling significant portions of the drug trafficking and enforcement operations in the region. Despite Naud’s relatively minor role in the organization, the Alkhalil family believed that the Duhres were responsible for Khalil's death, or at the very least, had helped Naud. This perception fueled a long-standing feud between the Alkhalils and the Dhak-Duhre group. Over the next 20+ years, the conflict intensified with multiple high-profile murders, shaping the landscape of organized crime in BC. Murder of Mahmoud Alkhalil: A Nightclub Shootout with the Hells Angels On August 16, 2003, Mahmoud Alkhalil, a 19-year-old member of the Independent Soldiers street gang, was shot and killed in a violent shootout inside Loft Six, a well-known nightclub in Gastown, Vancouver. On the night of August 16, 2003, Loft Six was packed with clubgoers—including Sandip “Dip” Duhre, a known figure in the Dhak-Duhre gang, who was also present at the club. According to witnesses, gunfire suddenly erupted on the dance floor. The Hells Angels had entered Loft Six and a confrontation escalated into a shootout. Mahmoud, who was armed, reportedly fired back at his attackers as bullets tore through the packed venue, sending panicked patrons diving for cover. Despite his efforts to fight back, Mahmoud was struck multiple times. Severely wounded but still conscious, he managed to escape the nightclub, staggering to his car parked a few blocks away. He attempted to drive himself to safety but succumbed to massive blood loss, his car coming to a stop just a short distance from the club. Paramedics arrived shortly after, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Blame, Retaliation & Alkhalil-Duhre Feud Though it was the Hells Angels who had been directly involved in Mahmoud’s death, the Alkhalil family placed the blame on Sandip “Dip” Duhre. Sandip Duhre is accused of shooting Mahmoud Alkhalil. Photo by TBA /PROVINCE Whether or not Duhre had a role in instigating the violence remains unclear, but the perception among the Alkhalils was that he had either set Mahmoud up or played some role in provoking the attack. This belief intensified the already volatile feud between the Alkhalils and the Dhak-Duhre group, fueling years of retaliatory violence. While Mahmoud's murder may have been an unintended consequence of a dispute involving multiple factions, it further cemented the Alkhalil family's determination for revenge. To this day, no arrests have been made in connection with Mahmoud’s murder, and his killing remains an unsolved chapter. The Rise and Fall of Nabil Alkhalil: High-Speed Chases, Drug Trafficking, and a Fatal Money Dispute Nabil Alkhalil, 42, was murdered in Mexico & is the third of five brothers in the notorious crime family to die violently. Following the violent deaths of his younger brothers Khalil and Mahmoud, Nabil Alkhalil moved to Ottawa, where he remained deeply entrenched in organized crime. By the mid-2000s, his activities had already placed him on law enforcement’s radar, but it was an audacious high-speed chase in 2005 that truly cemented his notoriety. On May 1, 2005, Nabil was driving his white Cadillac Deville along a highway in eastern Ontario when he was spotted by police. Rather than pulling over, he initiated a high-speed chase, reaching speeds of more than 210 km/h over a 32-kilometer stretch of highway and backroads. The pursuit ended outside Cornwall, where Nabil abandoned his vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. However, he was quickly captured. Upon searching the car, police found a duffel bag containing 11 kilograms of cocaine—a massive haul that confirmed Nabil’s status as a major player in the Canadian drug trade. At his trial, Justice Hugh McLean remarked on Nabil’s extensive criminal history, noting that he was already under a deportation order to be sent back to Saudi Arabia due to his record. Instead of immediate deportation, however, Nabil was sentenced to prison for: ✅ Possession of narcotics with intent to traffic ✅ Dangerous driving ✅ Failing to stop for police Attempts to Evade Deportation Despite the standing deportation order, Nabil remained in Canada following his release from prison. He made multiple visits to the Lebanese embassy in Ottawa, attempting—unsuccessfully—to obtain a Lebanese passport. These failed efforts left him stateless, as neither Canada nor Saudi Arabia was willing to claim him. By November 2010, Nabil had vanished from Canada after receiving warnings that rival gangsters wanted him dead. His parents, Hossein Alkhalil and Soumayya Azzam, lost $170,000 in bail money, which they had posted for their son. A Global Fugitive: Mexico, Colombia, and the Sinaloa Cartel Nabil’s next known location was Mexico in 2013, where he entered the country using a forged Canadian passport. While in Ciudad López Mateos, he worked at a used car dealership—likely as a front for his continued criminal activities. Intelligence reports later suggested that Nabil served as the Alkhalil family’s liaison with the Sinaloa Cartel, facilitating drug shipments between Mexico and Canada. His movements remained shadowy and unpredictable, and in November 2013, Nabil called his mother in Surrey, British Columbia, cryptically telling her that he was "somewhere in the Middle East." This would prove to be a diversion, as records indicate that by 2015, he had been arrested in Colombia. Arrest in Colombia & Another Escape Nabil’s downfall seemed imminent when airport officials in Bogotá, Colombia, discovered that he was traveling under a forged Canadian passport. He was immediately detained, but instead of facing extradition or prosecution, he was sent to Panama City—where he vanished once again. The Money Dispute That Ended It All On August 24, 2018, Nabil’s luck ran out. He was in Ciudad López Mateos, where he got into a heated dispute with a wealthy businessman, Javier Armando Nuñez. The argument—reportedly over money—became increasingly hostile, with both men shouting. The confrontation ended abruptly when Nabil was shot dead with a 9mm handgun. The State of Mexico police later arrested José Mario Venegas González, Nuñez’s bodyguard, and charged him with the murder. However, Nabil’s parents publicly disputed the case, claiming that: 🔹 Venegas was merely a fall guy 🔹 No gunpowder residue was found on Venegas’s hands 🔹 The police never inspected Nuñez for gunpowder residue Despite these claims, the Mexican authorities closed the case, and Nabil’s death marked the third Alkhalil brother to meet a violent end. Hisham "Terry" Alkhalil: The Ottawa Connection Hisham "Terry" Alkhalil was one of the less publicized members of the Alkhalil family, but his role in organized crime was no less significant. Unlike his brothers, who were known for their direct involvement in violent conflicts and high-profile murders, Hisham operated behind the scenes, focusing on large-scale drug trafficking. His base of operations was Ottawa, where he controlled lucrative cocaine distribution networks that extended across the country. Project Anarchy and Hisham’s Arrest On January 30, 2014, as part of Project Anarchy, a massive drug investigation, Hisham was arrested in Ottawa and charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine. The police seized a staggering 54 pounds of cocaine, with a street value of approximately $12 million. In addition, authorities confiscated his lavish $1.1 million home on Rossland Avenue, labeling it as proceeds of crime. Hisham had also been the owner of the Abu Abed Café, a business suspected to be a money laundering front. On January 14, 2016, Ottawa police seized the café, citing its deep connections to criminal activities. The café had long been under scrutiny, with law enforcement suspecting it was being used for meetings between members of Ottawa’s criminal underworld. Police Concern Over Violence in Ottawa Authorities believed that Hisham's connections to international drug suppliers and his family’s long-standing gang feuds could lead to retaliatory violence in the city. Mike Laviolette of the Ottawa police, who played a key role in Project Anarchy, stated: "They were very active, not just on a local and national level, but an international level as well, which demonstrated their ability to just be as mobile as they wanted to be... It was the propensity for violence — the potential for them being violent, or people who wanted them dead being violent, in our city. We disrupted them enough that we were able to prevent any type of large-scale violence within our city." The Charges Are Dropped Despite the overwhelming evidence against Hisham, his case never went to trial. In 2018, a judge ruled that the Crown had taken too long to bring the case forward, and the charges were stayed, allowing Hisham to walk free. This decision frustrated law enforcement, as the police had invested years in investigating the Alkhalil family's criminal operations, only for one of their key members to evade justice due to legal technicalities. Hisham’s current whereabouts and criminal involvement remain unknown, but his ability to avoid conviction highlights the complexity of dismantling the Alkhalil family's operations, which stretched beyond borders and involved some of the most dangerous criminal organizations in North America. Rabih Alkhalil escaped the North Fraser Pre-Trial Centre in Port Coquitlam before 7 p.m. on July 21, 2022. Coquitlam RCMP Rabih Alkhalil: The Mastermind of the Wolfpack Alliance Establishing Power in Montreal Rabih "Robby" Alkhalil relocated to Montreal, where he built a high-profile criminal empire. Alkhalil was a key leader of the Wolfpack Alliance, an inter-gang coalition that included members from: Hells Angels (Amero’s faction) Independent Soldiers Red Scorpions West End Gang (led by Shane Maloney) He lived in a luxury penthouse condo at 555 René Lévesque Boulevard West, boasting a panoramic view of the St. Lawrence River. Montreal is a critical hub for organized crime, serving as Canada’s main gateway for drug smuggling due to its major port access, highway connections to the U.S., and proximity to New York City—North America’s wealthiest drug market. Since the days of Prohibition, Montreal had been a key smuggling route to the U.S., and Alkhalil saw it as the perfect base for expansion. He partnered with Hells Angels kingpin Larry Amero, and together, they used it as a stepping stone to infiltrate New York’s cocaine trade. The Wolfpack Alliance & the Sinaloa Cartel Connection The Wolfpack operated as a distribution arm for Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, led by Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. Hundreds of kilograms of cocaine flowed monthly from Mexico to Canada under their control, often hidden inside secret compartments in transport trucks. To manage his expanding operations, Alkhalil relied heavily on encrypted communication, using the Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) system to coordinate drug shipments and contract killings. He even owned a high-end fashion boutique in Old Montreal, a front business for laundering drug profits. His penthouse doubled as a criminal headquarters, where he hosted meetings with cartel representatives and elite gangsters. The Murder of Sandip "Dip" Duhre (2012) Sandip Duhre was murdered as revenge against the murder of Jonathan Bacon (a Wolkpack ally) in 2011. On January 17, 2012, Sandip "Dip" Duhre, co-leader of the Dhak-Duhre Group, was executed inside Vancouver’s Sheraton Wall Centre. Hitman Dean Michael Wiwchar, a known enforcer for the Wolfpack, was charged with carrying out the assassination on behalf of Rabih "Robby" Alkhalil. Security footage showed a masked gunman calmly walking into the hotel’s lobby before firing multiple shots at Duhre at point-blank range. The brutal execution was widely seen as retaliation for the murder of Jonathan Bacon (a Wolfpack ally) in 2011. This escalated the gang war between the Wolfpack Alliance and the Dhak-Duhre Group, triggering a series of retaliatory murders across Canada. Plotting the Sicilian Sidewalk Café Execution (2012) In spring 2012, Rabih Alkhalil was involved in a multi-million-dollar cocaine deal with fellow Wolfpack members: Nick Nero (Ontario-based trafficker) Martino "Lil Guy" Caputo Johnny Raposo (Toronto drug dealer) The 200-kilogram shipment was supposed to be split evenly, but Alkhalil, Nero, and Caputo decided to kill Raposo to take his share. On May 21, 2012, Alkhalil texted hitman Wiwchar, ordering him to assassinate Raposo for $100,000. On June 18, 2012, as Raposo sat on the patio of Toronto’s Sicilian Sidewalk Café, watching a Euro Cup match, Wiwchar approached disguised as a construction worker, wearing a dust mask and blonde wig. Without hesitation, he shot Raposo in the back of the head multiple times before escaping. Four days later, Wiwchar was arrested in Toronto. When told he was being charged with first-degree murder, he mockingly asked the arresting officer, "Which one?" The Fall of the Wolfpack On August 8, 2012, Montreal police raided Rabih Alkhalil’s luxury condo with arrest warrants for both Alkhalil and Amero—but both had already fled. In November 2012, Alkhalil was charged in absentia with drug trafficking as part of Project Loquace, a major Quebec anti-drug operation. By February 23, 2013, authorities finally caught up to him. He was arrested in Greece, living under a forged French passport while posing as a haute couture designer. Convictions for Drug Trafficking and Murder Trial for Johnny Raposo’s Murder (2017) Johnny Raposo, one of the leaders of the Wolfpack Alliance, murdered by Robby Alkhalil In April 2017, Alkhalil stood trial in Toronto for the first-degree murder of Johnny Raposo. The Crown’s case relied on 41,420 encrypted messages exchanged between Alkhalil, Nero, Caputo, and Wiwchar over three months. Alkhalil pleaded not guilty but refused to testify, likely to avoid difficult cross-examination about his texts. On May 11, 2017, he was convicted of first-degree murder, along with Nero, Caputo, and Wiwchar. Montreal Drug Trafficking Charges (2020) On August 21, 2020, after a separate trial, he was convicted of conspiracy to traffic cocaine and sentenced to eight years in prison. Vancouver Trial for Duhre and Dhak Murders (2021-2022) In 2021, Alkhalil and Amero were put on trial for the murders of Sandip Duhre and Sukh Dhak. The Crown alleged that Alkhalil and Amero had ordered the hits to wipe out the Dhak-Duhre Group. But before the trial concluded, Alkhalil pulled off one of the most shocking prison escapes in Canadian history. The Daring 2022 Prison Escape On July 21, 2022, Alkhalil escaped from North Fraser Pretrial Centre, a maximum-security facility. How It Happened: Two men disguised as construction workers arrived with a plasma torch. They cut through the jail’s perimeter fence. Alkhalil, dressed in a construction vest, walked out undetected. They fled in a white van, which was later found abandoned. By the time authorities realized what had happened, he had vanished. On August 12, 2022, he was charged with: Forcible prison break Escaping lawful custody Coquitlam RCMP’s Darren Carr with CFSEU Chief Manny Mann at Surrey news conference on Oct. 18, 2022. A $250,000 reward was offered for the capture of fugitive killer Robby Alkhalil. Photo by Mike Bell /Postmedia Network (Toronto Sun) The Aftermath: Canada’s Most Wanted Fugitive On 29 August 2022, Larry Amero was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the slayings of Sandip Duhre and Suhhveer Dhak. And Alkhalil was also convicted in absentia of first-degree murder for the killing of Duhre and conspiracy to commit murder regarding Dhak's death. Following his escape, on 18 October 2022, the RCMP officially named him Canada’s most wanted fugitive, placing a $250,000 bounty on his capture. Former Solicitor General Kash Heed criticized the investigation, calling it "one of the most embarrassing failures in Canadian law enforcement history." Many believe he fled to: The Middle East (Lebanon or UAE) Mexico or South America Europe Final Thoughts: The Alkhalil Family As of today, Alkhalil remains at large, and his whereabouts are unknown. No confirmed sightings have been reported. Speculation swirls that Alkhalil may have used cartel connections to disappear into the Middle East, South America, or Europe. But the real question remains: Has his escape fractured the Wolfpack’s power structure, or is he still pulling the strings from the shadows? Related reading: The 856 Gang The Wolfpack Alliance in BC 10 Self Defense Tools You Can Legally Carry In Canada

Source: Alchetron Key Takeaways Origins: The Big Circle Gang (大圈幫) formed in China’s prison camps in the late 1950s-60s by former Red Guards. Expansion: Spread to Hong Kong in the 1970s, then to Canada, the U.S., Europe, and Australia. Criminal Activities: Involved in racketeering, murder, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundering. Notable Figures: Tse Chi Lop (key leader, arrested in 2021), Kon Yu-Lueng (one of the biggest heroin traffickers). Alliances & Rivalries: Worked with The Company, American Mafia, MS-13, and Red Wa; rivals with 14K Triad, Bloods, Crips, and Aryan gangs. Origins: From Red Guards to Criminal Empire The Big Circle Gang has roots tracing back to Mao Zedong’s Communist purges of the early 1950s. Mao Zedong’s Red Guards (a paramilitary youth movement) became so uncontrollable that Mao himself turned against them. Thousands of Red Guards were arrested and sent to prison camps in Guangzhou, where they fought for survival. Originally composed of former ultra-leftists and Red Guards imprisoned in Chinese labor camps, the group evolved into a violent and disciplined criminal organization. These camps, marked by red circles on maps, gave birth to the Big Circle Gang (大圈幫). A Chinese elementary-school textbook shows a group of Red Guards. Red Guards were young people who supported Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution. By the 1970s, after escaping or being released from prison, many of these individuals relocated to Hong Kong, where they formed small, violent groups modeled after traditional triads. By the 1980s, the gang had expanded internationally, particularly to Canada, the U.S., and the U.K., where they engaged in drug trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, and high-profile contract killings. The Gang’s Rise in Canada and the West The 1990s saw the Big Circle Gang rise in power in Vancouver, Toronto, and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Their influence extended to major organized crime networks, including connections with the United Nations Gang, Red Scorpions, and Independent Soldiers. With globalization, the gang’s focus shifted from armed robberies to more lucrative crimes. Their operations evolved to include: Drug Trafficking: They played a pivotal role in smuggling heroin from Southeast Asia’s Golden Triangle and later expanded into the fentanyl trade, fueling North America's opioid crisis. Human Trafficking & Illegal Immigration: Authorities uncovered multiple passport forgery rings operated by the gang, with one case in 1990 charging $20,000 per fake passport. Cybercrime & Financial Fraud: The gang moved into credit card fraud, counterfeit currency, and digital piracy, dominating illicit markets in Canada and beyond. Read: 10 Self Defense Tools You Can Legally Carry In Canada The Murder of Hong Chao “Raymond” Huang Hong Chao “Raymond” Huang was shot dead outside his yellow mansion in Vancouver’s upscale Shaughnessy neighborhood. His 10-year-old daughter, a student at West Point Grey Academy, was the one who called the police. She reportedly withdrew from school shortly after.  A leader of the Big Circle Boys, Huang had extensive criminal ties spanning Toronto, the U.S., Australia, Hong Kong, and China. He was believed to be a major figure in the global trade of heroin and synthetic drugs, operating a vast network of small, tightly controlled cells. Notorious Leaders: Tse Chi Lop and Kon Yu-Lueng Tse Chi Lop (The “Asian El Chapo”) Mr Tse was detained at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport in January 2021 while trying to board a plane. One of the most influential figures in the Big Circle Gang’s history, Tse Chi Lop, is a 59-year-old alleged mastermind behind one of the world’s largest drug syndicates. He was extradited to Australia in December 2022, facing life imprisonment for his role in a multibillion-dollar drug operation spanning across the Asia-Pacific region. Arrived in Canada in 1988, forging partnerships with Montreal’s Rizzuto family and South American cartels. Built a $8-18 billion drug empire under Sam Gor (The Company). Arrested in 2021 in Amsterdam after a decade-long international investigation. Tse controlled nearly 70% of the drug trade into Australia, smuggling vast quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, and ketamine into the country. His organization used elaborate smuggling techniques, including concealing drugs in packs of tea. The Global Manhunt and Arrest After more than a decade of pursuit, Tse was finally arrested at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport in January 2021 while attempting to board a flight. His capture was part of Operation Kungur, a global law enforcement effort involving 20 agencies across continents, with Australia leading the charge. Extradition and Court Proceedings Following a nearly two-year legal battle, Tse was flown under heavy security to Melbourne, Australia, where armed officers escorted him off the plane. He was scheduled to appear in court facing charges related to a A$4.4 million methamphetamine operation from 2012-2013. Luxury and Wealth from Drug Proceeds Authorities discovered the extent of Tse’s illicit empire when they raided properties in Melbourne, uncovering: A$4 million in cash 99 designer handbags A yellow Lamborghini Millions hidden in bags and petrol tanks Tse has denied all charges, claiming that his arrest was orchestrated illegally by Australian authorities. He previously served nine years in a U.S. prison in the 1990s for drug trafficking before returning to lead his syndicate. His extradition marks a major blow to the Big Circle Gang’s operations, but authorities warn that the syndicate’s vast network remains active. Read: Your 101 Self-Defense Canada Kit Kon Yu-Lueng (“Johnny Kon”) Another key player, Kon Yu-Lueng, was responsible for trafficking massive quantities of heroin: 1985: His couriers were caught with 97 kg of heroin in Seattle. 1988: Arrested for smuggling 453 kg of heroin into the U.S. Allies and Rivals: The Gang’s Dangerous Connections Allies Sam Gor (The Company) – A massive global syndicate controlling drug supply chains. MS-13 & Asian Boyz – Violent street gangs providing enforcement and logistics. American Mafia & Colombian Cartels – Key partners in the global drug trade. Rivals 14K Triad – Their most bitter enemies, locked in a bloody turf war. Bloods, Crips & Aryan Brotherhood – Competing for control over lucrative drug markets. Canadian Law Enforcement – A constant adversary trying to dismantle their networks. Major Events in Big Circle Gang History Year Event Description 1966-1968 Red Guards formed, then purged by Mao Zedong. 1969-1975 Red Guards imprisoned in Guangzhou, later escape to Hong Kong. 1980s Expansion to Canada, the U.S., and Europe. 1985 Heroin trafficker Kon Yu-Lueng’s couriers arrested in Seattle. 1988 Tse Chi Lop arrives in Canada, forming global alliances. 1990 Fake passport ring exposed, smuggling criminals into Canada. 2009 Canadian police label the gang one of the largest criminal conspiracies. 2021 Tse Chi Lop arrested in Amsterdam under Operation Kungur. The Big Circle Gang’s Enduring Legacy Despite major arrests and law enforcement crackdowns, the Big Circle Gang remains a force in global organized crime. Leave a comment below if you have any tips that you want me to investigate! Related reading: The 856 Gang The Wolfpack Alliance in BC 10 Self Defense Tools You Can Legally Carry In Canada The Alkhalil Gangster Family

On October 16, 2010, Gurmit Singh Dhak, a prominent gangster in BC, was seated in his black BMW SUV in the parking lot of Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby when gunfire erupted. An unidentified assailant approached his vehicle and fired, striking Dhak and killing him instantly. Dhak was shot in the face, which is often the mark of a professional hit. Cpl. Dale Carr of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said Dhak was alone in the black BMW, though others told The Vancouver Sun that his wife and kids were nearby. This wasn’t just another gangland killing—it was a declaration of war. Gurmit had long been a key player in the region’s drug trade, but unlike many others in his position, he wasn’t known for reckless violence. He was a businessman first, preferring to make money over making enemies. But that didn’t matter. His murder, believed to be orchestrated by the Wolfpack Alliance —a coalition of the Red Scorpions, Independent Soldiers , and Hells Angels —was a calculated move to shift the balance of power in Vancouver’s underworld. The Dhak-Duhre Group, with which Gurmit was associated, did not take his murder lightly. Within days, plans for revenge were already underway, igniting one of the bloodiest gang wars BC had ever seen. Quick Overview Of The Dhak-Duhre Group: A Gangland Execution with Consequences – The assassination of Gurmit Dhak in 2010 was the catalyst for a brutal gang war that would see Vancouver’s streets become a war zone. The Wolfpack’s Power Play – The Hells Angels, Red Scorpions, and Independent Soldiers made a calculated move to take out one of the most powerful gangsters in BC, believing it would weaken the Dhak-Duhre Group. The Start of a Retaliation Cycle – Gurmit’s murder set off a chain of revenge killings, including Sandip Duhre’s assassination in 2012 at the Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver, and a relentless hunt for key Wolfpack figures. Brazen Public Shootings – The war saw hits carried out in crowded public spaces, including shopping malls, restaurants, and hotels, endangering civilians and exposing the brutal reality of BC’s gang conflicts. The Retaliation: A Blood Debt Paid in Full The murder of Gurmit Singh Dhak was not something the Dhak-Duhre Group was going to let slide. Almost immediately, whispers of revenge began circulating in Vancouver’s underworld. The Wolfpack Alliance may have struck the first blow, but the Dhak-Duhre faction had plenty of resources and a burning vendetta. The Kelowna Ambush: A Message Sent in Blood On August 14, 2011, a white Porsche Cayenne pulled out of the Delta Grand Hotel in Kelowna. Inside were members of the Wolfpack Alliance, including Jonathan Bacon ( the eldest of three brothers linked to the Red Scorpions gang) , Hells Angel Larry Amero, Independent Soldier James Riach, and two women. You can read about the Bacon Brothers here. Later when their SUV exited the parking lot, masked gunmen opened fire with assault rifles. The bullets tore through the car, killing Jonathan Bacon instantly and critically wounding Larry Amero. Those bullets fatally sliced through Bacon, left Amero without the use of an arm and paralyzed a 21-year-old female passenger, Leah Hadden-Watts . Riach escaped without injury and another passenger Lyndsey Black has healed from wounds to her legs. This was a message, loud and clear. The Dhak-Duhre Group had struck back, and they weren’t finished. Three men accused of the killing: Jason McBride, Michael Jones and Jujhar Khun-Khun were arrested in 2013. The Wolfpack’s Counterattack: The Death of Sandip Duhre Surveillance footage of Sandip Duhre's murder released If the Kelowna shooting was meant to scare the Wolfpack, it had the opposite effect. On January 17, 2012, in the busy lobby of Vancouver’s Sheraton Wall Centre, Sandip "Dip" Duhre sat down for a meal at Café One. He was known to be careful, paranoid even, and for good reason. A lone gunman walked into the restaurant, approached Duhre, and shot him multiple times in the head at point-blank range. He died instantly. This wasn’t just a murder—it was an execution in broad daylight, meant to send a message that no one in the Dhak-Duhre camp was untouchable. The orchestrator of this murder was Rabih "Robby" Alkhalil , who was convicted in absentia for first-degree murder in December 2023. Alkhalil had previously escaped from the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in July 2022 and remains at large after escaping prison.  The Final Blow: Sukh Dhak’s Assassination After Gurmit’s murder, his younger brother Sukh Dhak had stepped up, determined to keep the war going. But with so many key players already dead, he was running out of time. On November 26, 2012, just months after Duhre’s murder, Sukh Dhak and his bodyguard, Thomas Mantel, were gunned down in the lobby of the Executive Hotel in Burnaby. The Dhak-Duhre Group had been dismantled, one body at a time. The deaths of Gurmit, Sandip, and Sukh marked the fall of the Dhak-Duhre Group, but in Vancouver’s underworld, there’s always another group waiting to take the throne. The war didn’t end—it just evolved into something even deadlier. The New Era of Gang Warfare: Lessons Unlearned The Brothers Keepers vs. The Red Scorpions By 2018, the Brothers Keepers, a South Asian-led gang with former Dhak-Duhre ties, had risen to prominence. Their biggest enemy? The Red Scorpions, who had once been part of the Wolfpack Alliance but were now splintered into warring factions. Meninder Dhaliwal, 29, was one of two men gunned down in broad daylight in Whistler. Dhaliwal & a friend of his died in the incident. Photo by BC-CFSEU /PNG (Vancouver Sun) In 2021, the war reached its peak when Meninder Dhaliwal, a top Brothers Keepers member, was executed in broad daylight at a Whistler resort, marking one of the most brazen gangland hits in recent history. The Kang Group: A New Power Rises While the Brothers Keepers and Red Scorpions tore each other apart, another faction was watching from the sidelines, waiting for its moment—The Kang Group. The Kang Group is a faction of the Brothers Keepers gang. Led by Barinder "Shrek" Dhaliwal, the Kang Group operated differently: They weren’t interested in flashy violence—they were strategic. They recruited young gangsters before rival groups could get to them. They built a direct alliance with the Hells Angels, securing protection and resources. By 2022, the Kang Group controlled a majority of the drug trade in the Lower Mainland, filling the power vacuum left behind by the war between the Brothers Keepers and Red Scorpions. The Next Generation: No Honor, No Rules What made the new era of gangsters different from their predecessors? A complete lack of structure. The old-school leaders—Gurmit Dhak, Sandip Duhre, and even the Bacon Brothers—had operated under a set of underworld rules: Violence was a tool, not a pastime. Hits were planned, not livestreamed. Civilians were (usually) off-limits. That code of conduct no longer exists. By 2023, gang violence in British Columbia had become reckless, public, and chaotic, with younger gangsters treating social media as a battleground, taunting rivals before and after executions. A Cycle That Never Ends Despite decades of arrests, gang takedowns, and federal crackdowns, Vancouver’s underworld hasn’t changed—it has only evolved. The Dhak-Duhre Group may be long gone, but the war they were part of never truly ended. It simply morphed into something even deadlier, fueled by younger, more ruthless players who learned nothing from the past. In BC, gangs don’t disappear—they just get replaced. If you have a tip for me, you can message me anonymously on the Contact page or just leave a comment below. Stay safe! Related reading: Shui Fong Gang Red Scorpions Kang Crime Gr oup Independent Soldiers Gang The Wolfpack Alliance in BC The Hells Angels The Big Circle Gang United Nations Gang

If you're a convicted felon in Texas, understanding what self-defense tools you can legally own is critical. With traditional firearms off-limits, many felons turn to non-lethal alternatives like Byrna launchers. But is it legal? Can a convicted felon carry a Byrna launcher in Texas without breaking the law? In this guide, we’ll break down: Texas self-defense laws Federal firearm restrictions What alternative weapons felons can legally possess Let’s get started. Is a Byrna Launcher Considered a Firearm in Texas? A Byrna launcher  is a CO2-powered, non-lethal weapon that fires chemical irritant projectiles, similar to pepper balls. Texas law does not classify Byrna launchers as firearms because they do not use explosive propellants. Unlike traditional guns, they fall under non-lethal self-defense tools, making them accessible to most civilians. However, federal and state restrictions on weapons possession still apply to convicted felons. Can a Convicted Felon Carry a Byrna Launcher in Texas? The short answer: A Byrna Launcher is not a firearm, it is a non-lethal weapon. Texas law does not explicitly prohibit felons from owning air guns, CO2 weapons, or Byrna launchers. Federal Law (Gun Control Act of 1968) prohibits felons from owning firearms or ammunition, but it does not specifically mention non-lethal weapons. 💡 HOWEVER! While not legally classified as a firearm, law enforcement could still argue that Byrna launchers are "dangerous weapons," making ownership a risk for felons. Texas Law makes it illegal for felons to possess a firearm until five years after release from prison or parole. However, the byrna launcher falls under the grey area of a non-lethal weapon.  Pro Tip:  Consult a Texas defense attorney before purchasing a Byrna gun to ensure you're not violating state or local regulations. What Weapons Can a Felon Own in Texas? While firearms are off-limits, felons in Texas can legally carry the following self-defense tools: ✅ Pepper spray & OC spray  – Legal in all 50 states for self-defense. ✅ Tactical flashlights   – Can be used to blind an attacker. ✅ Personal safety alarms   – Alerts others in an emergency. ✅ Stun guns & tasers  – Legal in Texas for non-felons (but some counties restrict felon possession). What States Allow Felons to Own Guns? If you’re wondering where felons can own firearms, the answer varies by state. Felons Cannot Own Guns (Strict States): California, New York, Illinois, Texas, Massachusetts, New Jersey (Permanent ban or extremely difficult restoration process). Felons Can Own Guns After a Certain Period (Conditional States): Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Ohio (Some allow gun ownership after a waiting period or rights restoration). 🔹 Felons Can Own Guns If Their Rights Are Restored: Indiana, Kentucky, Montana, South Dakota (Gun rights may be restored after parole completion or through legal petitions). 💡 Important: Even if a state restores gun rights, federal law still prohibits felons from possessing firearms unless they receive a presidential pardon or their record is expunged. Can a Felon Be Charged for Carrying a Byrna Gun in Texas? Even though Byrna launchers are not firearms, felons could still face legal issues if: ❌ A parole officer or court order prohibits them from possessing weapons. ❌ They use a Byrna gun in a way that causes harm or is deemed a deadly weapon. ❌ They are in possession of a Byrna gun alongside a prohibited firearm. Penalties for illegal weapon possession in Texas include: Third-degree felony charges (up to 10 years in prison). Fines up to $10,000. Additional parole or probation violations. 💡 Best Advice:  If you’re a felon in Texas, get legal guidance before purchasing a Byrna launcher or any self-defense weapon. Final Verdict: Can a Convicted Felon Carry a Byrna Gun in Texas? ✅ Byrna launchers are NOT classified as firearms in Texas. ⚠️ However, felons should still be cautious when owning one. ❌ Felons under parole or probation should avoid carrying weapons without legal approval. If you’re a convicted felon looking for safe and legal self-defense options, your best bet is non-lethal tools like pepper spray, tactical flashlights, and personal safety alarms. Always check with a lawyer before making any purchase. 🔎 Next Steps: Check your local Texas county laws for any restrictions. Consult a lawyer before purchasing a Byrna gun. Explore legal self-defense alternatives that don’t violate state or federal laws. Related reading: Best Byrna Gun On Amazon: A Hands-On Review Can You Carry a Byrna Gun in New York? Byrna Gun Comparison: Byrna LE vs. SD vs. SE vs. Mission 4

Photos taken Oct. 20 show the humpback calf, known as Skipper, with a visible gash along its dorsal fin near Vancouver. Researchers have identified the whale as the one struck by a Hullo Ferry days earlier. (Sara Jenkins/Wild Whales Vancouver) Photos Reveal Injured Calf After Hullo Ferry Humpback Whale Collision A routine ferry trip across English Bay on Oct. 17, 2025 turned tragic after a Hullo Ferry humpback whale collision left a young calf injured. The whale, known to researchers as Skipper, was later spotted with a deep wound across its back. The incident has raised new questions about whether marine traffic and returning whale populations can safely share the same coastal waters that define Vancouver’s skyline. The Collision Near Vancouver’s Shoreline The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada confirmed that a Hullo Ferries vessel struck a humpback whale near English Bay on Friday. The ferry Spuhels, which operates between downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo, was on a scheduled sailing at the time. Hullo said the bridge team performed a crash stop maneuver after spotting the animal and followed all safety and reporting protocols. The whale was later seen swimming north, though its condition was not immediately known. A naturalist photographed Zig Zag’s calf on Oct. 16, two days before the collision, showing the young humpback healthy and uninjured. (Julia Adelsheim/Wild Whales Vancouver) Injured Calf Identified as ‘Skipper’ Marine researchers confirmed the whale as Skipper, a calf who travels with its mother, Zig Zag. The pair are familiar to whale-watch operators along British Columbia’s south coast. Photos shared by the Pacific Whale Watch Association showed a deep gash across the calf’s back. The group said the photo was taken just days after the reported collision and only a few kilometers from the site. Investigation Underway by Federal Authorities The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has launched an investigation into the Hullo Ferry humpback whale collision and says Hullo Ferries is cooperating. The company provided CCTV footage and crew reports showing the whale swimming away from the area. “Given the seriousness of the injury it will be important to monitor the animal’s healing progress,” the department said. Both the DFO and whale-watch groups are continuing to track sightings of Skipper and Zig Zag. Whale Collisions Increasing Along B.C. Coast The collision has reignited concern about how often large vessels make contact with whales in busy shipping zones. Between April 2022 and March 2023, the DFO logged more than 2,100 marine mammal incidents across Canada, including 949 in British Columbia waters. A humpback was also found dead last month near a site where it was reportedly struck by a B.C. Ferries vessel. Researchers say many collisions likely go unreported because injured whales often disappear before they can be found. Why It Matters for Coastal Vancouver English Bay is one of Canada’s most crowded waterways, shared daily by ferries, freighters, and recreational boats. Every strike highlights how close whale habitat now sits to urban marine routes. Researchers say the rising number of humpback sightings near Vancouver is a sign of recovery for the species. It also increases the risk of accidents in waters that are busier than ever. Conservation groups are now calling for slower vessel speeds and stronger monitoring systems to protect whales as they return to the coast. DFO Monitoring Injured Humpback Calf ‘Skipper’ After Hullo Ferry Humpback Whale Collision Skipper was last seen alive, swimming north with her mother near Vancouver’s shoreline. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans says it will continue to monitor the young whale’s recovery and track future sightings in the area. Hullo Ferries said it is reviewing its operations to prevent future strikes and ensure compliance with Canada’s Marine Mammal Guidelines. The company runs up to 14 daily sailings between Vancouver and Nanaimo using two high-speed catamarans.

Red Scorpions logo (Global News) In 2000, inside a youth detention center in British Columbia, Quang Vinh Thang ( Michael) Le, and Konaam Shirzad forged an alliance that would evolve into one of Canada’s most feared criminal organizations—the Red Scorpions. The gang’s origins trace back to a brutal 2000 killing in a Coquitlam karaoke club, where Le and his associate Eddie Narong beat Richard Jung to death in retaliation for years of bullying. Their time in detention was not a setback but an opportunity—a breeding ground for gang loyalty, expansion, and strategy. By 2005, the Red Scorpions had seized control of dial-a-dope drug trafficking in Metro Vancouver, establishing a multi-ethnic, highly structured network willing to eliminate anyone in their way. Their rivalry with the United Nations gang exploded after brothers Jonathan, Jarrod, and Jamie Bacon defected to the Red Scorpions, escalating a bloody gang war that would culminate in the 2007 Surrey Six massacre—one of the deadliest gangland killings in Canadian history. This is the story of their rise, their reign of terror, and the violent power struggles that continue to shape Vancouver’s underworld. Key Takeaways: The Red Scorpions Gang Multi-ethnic membership: Unlike most gangs in the region, the Red Scorpions prioritized loyalty over race, making them distinct in Vancouver’s underworld. Major criminal activities: The gang controlled dial-a-dope drug trafficking networks, engaged in targeted killings, and established connections with Hells Angels-affiliated groups like the Independent Soldiers. Notorious gang rivalry: The Red Scorpions and the United Nations gang were bitter enemies, leading to dozens of murders, including the Surrey Six massacre in 2007, where six people—including two innocent bystanders—were executed. Ties to the Bacon Brothers: The gang's power increased when Jonathan, Jarrod, and Jamie Bacon defected from the United Nations gang to join the Red Scorpions, escalating violent conflicts across the Lower Mainland. Law enforcement crackdown: Key members, including Michael Le, Cody Haevischer, and Matthew Johnston, were convicted in the Surrey Six murders, while Jamie Bacon pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder. Current status: While the gang’s influence has diminished due to police operations and high-profile arrests, the Red Scorpions remain active in BC. Origins and Formation of the Red Scorpions The Red Scorpions gang was formed in the early 2000s in BC, Canada, by a group of young offenders who met in a youth detention center. The founding members included Quang Vinh Thang ( Michael) Le, Konaam Shirzad, Matthew Johnston, and Tejinder Malli, along with an unidentified fifth member. According to Michael Le’s court testimony, the gang’s name was chosen to honor his older brother, who was known as “Scorpion,” while “Red” symbolized blood. The gang’s early years were marked by violent confrontations, including the 2000 killing of Richard Jung, a Korean-Canadian teenager who had bullied Le and his close associate Edward “Eddie” Narong. The murder took place in a Coquitlam karaoke club, where Jung was beaten to death in a washroom. Both Le and Narong were convicted of manslaughter in 2002 and sentenced to 18 months in the Willingdon Youth Detention Centre. While incarcerated, Le and Narong restructured the Red Scorpions, transforming it from a loosely affiliated street gang into a more organized and disciplined criminal enterprise. They introduced gang tattoos, requiring members to mark their wrists or necks with “RS”, while skull tattoos reportedly signified members who had carried out murders on behalf of the gang. Upon their release, Le and Narong expanded the Red Scorpions’ presence in the Lower Mainland, recruiting members and solidifying their drug trafficking operations. Their influence grew rapidly, setting the stage for the gang’s dominance in Vancouver’s criminal underworld. A founder of The Red Scorpions, Konaam Shirzad, 34, was shot and killed in Kamloops on Sept. 21, 2017 (Sannich News) Rise to Power: Drug Trafficking and Expansion Following their release from youth detention, the Red Scorpions' main business model revolved around dial-a-dope operations, a highly profitable system that allowed customers to purchase illicit drugs—primarily cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy—through discreet phone-based transactions, with couriers delivering the product directly. By 2005, the gang had cemented its control over drug distribution networks in Metro Vancouver, Surrey, Abbotsford, and Coquitlam, using intimidation and violence to eliminate competition. The Red Scorpions’ willingness to execute rivals quickly earned them a reputation for ruthlessness, with new recruits proving their loyalty through acts of violence. The gang’s multi-ethnic membership further set them apart from traditional crime groups that were often ethnically exclusive. The Bacon Brothers and the Red Scorpions’ Transformation The Red Scorpions’ influence skyrocketed in 2006 when they recruited brothers Jonathan, Jarrod, and Jamie Bacon, a trio of violent gangsters from Abbotsford, BC, who had previously worked with the United Nations gang. On December 7, 2006, police responded to a tip about a man carrying a firearm at Castle Fun Park in Abbotsford, leading to the arrests of Jamie Bacon, Dennis Karbovanec, and Anton Hooites-Meursing of the Red Scorpions, along with Randy Naicker and Barry Espadilla of the Independent Soldiers . This seemingly routine police intervention exposed deeper alliances between Vancouver’s major criminal groups, particularly the Red Scorpions, Independent Soldiers, and Hells Angels. The Surrey Six Massacre: The Red Scorpions’ Defining Crime On October 19, 2007, the Red Scorpions cemented their infamy with one of the most gruesome and high-profile mass killings in Canadian history—the Surrey Six murders. This targeted execution, carried out in Suite 1505 of Balmoral Tower in Surrey, BC, was meant to eliminate Corey Lal, a rival drug dealer who refused to pay a $100,000 extortion demand imposed by the Red Scorpions. Instead of a single assassination, the gang left behind six bodies, two of whom were innocent bystanders. Suite 1505 in the Balmoral Tower in Surrey was the scene of the Surrey Six killings in October 2007. The Victims of the Surrey Six Murders Corey Lal (22): The primary target, a drug dealer encroaching on Red Scorpions territory. Michael Lal (26): Corey’s older brother, executed alongside him. Ryan Bartolomeo (19): A close associate of the Lal brothers. Eddie Narong (22): A former Red Scorpions member who was considered untrustworthy. Edward Schellenberg (55): An innocent gas fitter servicing the apartment at the time of the murders. Christopher Mohan (22): A completely innocent neighbor who lived across the hall and was pulled into the apartment moments before the killings. The Killers and Their Motive The hit was ordered by Jamie Bacon, who wanted Corey Lal killed for failing to pay an extortion fee. The execution team included Cody Haevischer, Matthew Johnston, and an unidentified third gunman known as "Person X", who later became a Crown witness. After forcing their way into the apartment, the killers executed all six victims to eliminate witnesses, a move that would ultimately turn public and police scrutiny against the gang. "Person X" admitted to shooting three victims, while Cody Haevischer and Matthew Johnston were responsible for the other three. Convictions and Legal Fallout Cody Haevischer and Matthew Johnston were convicted of six counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Michael Le, a founding member, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and received a 12-year sentence, later reduced due to time served. Jamie Bacon, initially charged with one count of first-degree murder and conspiracy, pleaded guilty in 2020 to conspiracy to commit the murder of Corey Lal and received an 18-year sentence (reduced due to time served). "Person X" remains unidentified due to a court-imposed publication ban, serving a life sentence for his role in the killings. The Decline The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) and other Canadian law enforcement agencies focused significant resources on dismantling the Red Scorpions after the Surrey Six massacre. Key developments included: 2014: Matt Campbell, a senior Red Scorpion leader, was stabbed to death in an Abbotsford parking lot. 2017: Konaam Shirzad, one of the gang’s original founders, was shot and killed outside his home in Kamloops. His death signaled a shift in power within the organization. 2018: Cory Vallee, a hitman for the United Nations gang, was convicted of killing Red Scorpion member Kevin LeClair, part of the ongoing gang war between the two organizations. 2020: Jamie Bacon pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder in the Surrey Six case, receiving a reduced sentence of 18 years. While these arrests and murders weakened the gang, they did not eliminate it. Instead, new leaders emerged, keeping the organization active. Shifts in Power and the Rise of New Gangs As older Red Scorpions leaders were arrested or killed, a new wave of organized crime groups emerged, challenging their control: The Brothers Keepers:  A violent new group that rose to power in the late 2010s, known for its links to international drug trafficking. Read their profile here . The Wolfpack Alliance:  A network of gangsters linked to Hells Angels and former Red Scorpions associates, continuing to control parts of BC’s drug trade. Read their story here. The Red Scorpions Today Despite losing key members and facing constant police scrutiny, the Red Scorpions are not fully extinct. They have continued to be linked to drug operations in the Lower Mainland, albeit at a reduced capacity compared to their peak in the mid-2000s. While they no longer hold the same level of power, their legacy remains embedded in British Columbia’s criminal history. The gang’s brutal tactics, multi-ethnic membership, and high-profile murders forever changed the landscape of organized crime in Canada. If you have a tip for me, you can message me anonymously on the Contact page  or just leave a comment below. Stay safe! Related reading: Shui Fong Gang Red Scorpions Kang Crime Group The Dhak-Duhre G roup Independent Soldiers Gang The Wolfpack Alliance in BC The Hells Angels The Big Circle Gang United Nations Gang

In July 1997, gunfire shattered the quiet of a Vancouver neighborhood. The target was Lai Tong Sang, an alleged kingpin of the Shui Fong gang, one of Hong Kong’s most powerful triads. His arrival in Canada the previous year—and the violent attempt on his life—thrust the Shui Fong gang in Canada into the national spotlight. Though the gang’s roots trace back to 1930s Hong Kong, its influence now extends far beyond Asia. This article explores the reach of the Shui Fong gang in Canada, from its ties to transnational crime to the landmark legal case that exposed major gaps in Canada’s immigration system. Origins of the Shui Fong Triad Founded in the 1930s in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, the Shui Fong — Chinese : 水房幫; lit. 'Water Room Gang' — also known as Wo On Lok (WOL) — is one of the most powerful triad syndicates in Southern China. It emerged from a workers' union at the Connaught Aerated Water Company. Today, the Shui Fong remains one of the most active triad groups in Hong Kong, operating alongside major syndicates such as Sun Yee On, 14K, and the broader "Wo" family of triads—most notably Wo Shing Wo. The group is involved in extortion, loan sharking, drug trafficking, and exerts control over nightclubs, mahjong parlours, and massage establishments. According to police, its influence spans key districts including Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, and its founding base in Sham Shui Po. In Macau, the Shui Fong is recognized as one of the territory’s “Four Major Gangs” (四大黑幫), alongside the Wo Shing Yee, 14K, and the Big Circle Gang. Lai Tong Sang, Shui Fong Triad Gang Leader. Source: SCMP Shui Fong’s Entry into Canada On October 28, 1996, Lai Tong Sang, the alleged dragon head of the Shui Fong triad in Macau, entered Canada on a permanent resident visa. At the time, Macau was engulfed in a violent turf war between rival triads, including the 14K, led locally by the infamous “Broken Tooth Koi.”  Just nine months later, in July 1997, Lai’s Vancouver home was the target of a drive-by shooting. The attack was allegedly ordered by members of the 14K Triad in Hong Kong, who had instructed their Canadian counterparts to eliminate Lai—part of the ongoing feud between the two groups that had already turned deadly in Macau. Although Lai survived, the shooting prompted a multi-year investigation. Over time, Canadian authorities uncovered evidence that Lai had laundered millions of dollars through Canada. However, it wasn’t until over a decade later that immigration officials were granted access to wiretap recordings linking him directly to organized crime, finally allowing them to act. In August 2013, Lai was officially deemed inadmissible to Canada and ordered deported due to his ties to the Shui Fong triad. Related reading: The Red Scorpions Explained: A Gang Born from Violence & Betrayal The Long Road to Deportation Despite Lai Tong Sang's well-documented ties to organized crime, it took Canadian authorities 17 years to effect his removal. In August 2013, the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) ordered his deportation, citing his leadership role in the Shui Fong triad and involvement in criminal activities.  Federal Court documents revealed that between October 2002 and November 2006, Lai conducted 49 electronic funds transfers, totaling approximately CAD $2.1 million and USD $140,000, indicative of money laundering operations. ​ Complicating the case, immigration officials faced prolonged delays due to restricted access to crucial police wiretap evidence. These wiretaps had intercepted conversations among 14K Triad members discussing a HK$1 million contract on Lai's life, confirming his high-ranking position within the Shui Fong triad.  The inability to access this evidence hindered proceedings until it became available, ultimately enabling the authorities to advance with Lai's deportation. Other Known Shui Fong Activity in Canada Outside of Lai’s case, there is limited public evidence of wide-reaching Shui Fong operations in Canada. Unlike other countries where the gang has established criminal enterprises—such as illegal gambling and extortion—Canadian authorities have not confirmed a deep-rooted domestic presence. That said, the Lai Tong Sang case serves as a warning about the potential for transnational criminal infiltration, especially when gang members migrate under the radar. How the Shui Fong Operates Globally The Shui Fong is part of a broader triad network that includes rivals such as the 14K, Sun Yee On, and Wo Shing Wo. Its international activities include: Video piracy and counterfeiting in the UK Illegal gambling and extortion in Ireland Contract killings and turf disputes, including high-profile murders in Glasgow and London In Ireland, Shui Fong activity has been traced back to at least 1983, with operations in both Dublin and Belfast. In the UK, the group expanded after the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, which prompted many triad members to flee Hong Kong. One of the most gruesome incidents occurred in Glasgow in 1985, where Philip Wong, an alleged Shui Fong "white paper fan" (adviser), was murdered with machetes—allegedly after resisting demands from the Wo Shing Wo. In 1991, an alleged Shui Fong power struggle in London left businessman Ying Kit Lam crippled after being shot four times. Although several alleged Shui Fong members were acquitted in a 1992 Old Bailey trial, the case was significant—it marked the first British court case where a member of a Chinese criminal society gave evidence. Shui Fong Gang in Canada: Final Thoughts Lai Tong Sang’s case exposed a major flaw in Canada’s handling of organized crime: the difficulty in gathering and utilizing foreign evidence. Despite suspicions about his criminal background, authorities waited over a decade for access to crucial wiretaps. The case became a landmark moment in Canadian immigration law, showing how gaps in intelligence-sharing can allow organized crime figures to reside undetected for years. If you have a tip for me, you can message me anonymously on the Contact page  or just leave a comment below. Stay safe! Related reading: Red Scorpions United Nations Gang Kang Crime Group The Dhak-Duhre Group Independent Soldiers Gang The Wolfpack Alliance in BC The Hells Angels The Big Circle Gang

The disappearance of Jodi Henrickson in June 2009 is one of British Columbia's most perplexing cold cases. At just 17 years old, Jodi was described as a vivacious and caring teenager, deeply loved by her family and friends in Squamish, B.C. Her sudden disappearance after a night out on Bowen Island shocked the small community and raised troubling questions that remain unanswered to this day. On the night of June 19, Jodi had told her family she planned to go camping at Cultus Lake, a popular recreational destination. Instead, she made her way to Bowen Island, a tranquil yet isolated area accessible only by ferry, to attend a house party with friends. The events of that night, coupled with Jodi’s mysterious disappearance in the early morning hours of June 20, have haunted her loved ones for over 15 years. Despite immediate efforts from law enforcement and community members, no trace of Jodi has ever been found. The case has remained cold, but it has not been forgotten. Renewed attention in 2024, due to an upcoming Jodi Henrickson documentary titled "Finding Jodi", has brought fresh hope. What Is The Jodi Henrickson Documentary About? In 2024, after 15 years of limited progress, the disappearance of Jodi Henrickson gained renewed public attention due to the efforts of a documentary team. Led by producer Jenni Baynham, the production of “Finding Jodi” aimed to reexamine the events surrounding Jodi’s disappearance and uncover new information. The documentary not only reignited media coverage but also led to the discovery of potential evidence, giving new momentum to the cold case. The “Finding Jodi” team spent four years conducting independent investigations, interviewing witnesses, experts, and those connected to Jodi’s life. Their efforts included revisiting Bowen Island, the last place Jodi was seen, and collaborating with forensic experts to explore avenues previously overlooked by law enforcement. The filmmakers also sought to shine a light on the community’s ongoing grief and the investigative gaps that may have hindered earlier efforts. In this image sent by the documentary crew, a cameraperson films near a police line on Bowen Island. (Submitted by Jenni Baynham to CBC) Cadaver Dogs and Potential Evidence One of the most significant developments came during a search on Bowen Island in November 2024. The production team partnered with the Canadian Cadaver Canines Association (CCCA) to investigate a tip they had received. During the search, two trained cadaver dogs independently alerted to the same location, indicating an area of interest. Following protocol, the documentary crew contacted the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) to report their findings. IHIT’s Response Upon receiving the report, IHIT investigators conducted a preliminary inspection of the identified site. While no human remains were immediately discovered, IHIT confirmed that the location warranted further examination. The potential evidence has not been publicly disclosed, but investigators stated their intent to follow up with additional forensic resources. The Suspect: Interview with Gavin Arnott As part of their investigative process, the documentary crew secured an interview with Gavin Arnott, Jodi’s ex-boyfriend and the last known person to be seen with her. Scheduled for March 2025, this interview is considered a pivotal opportunity to gain insights into the final hours of Jodi’s life. The filmmakers stressed the importance of hearing from Gavin directly, given his central role in the timeline of Jodi’s disappearance. Arnott, who has maintained his innocence, has remained a person of interest but has never been formally charged. Timeline of Events: Jodi Henrickson’s Disappearance June 19, 2009 (Evening) Jodi tells her family she plans to camp at Cultus Lake but instead travels to Bowen Island to attend parties with friends. Late Night, June 19, 2009 Jodi arrives at a house party on Harding Road on Bowen Island. She is seen socializing and later moves to a second party at Leroyville, about 8 kilometers away. Throughout the night, Jodi travels back and forth between the two parties. Early Morning, June 20, 2009 Jodi encounters her ex-boyfriend, Gavin Arnott, at one of the parties. Around 4:00 a.m., Jodi is last seen walking hand-in-hand with Gavin along a road near the Snug Cove Ferry Terminal. Approximately 6:30 a.m., June 20, 2009 Witnesses report seeing Jodi and Gavin near the Miller’s Landing turnoff on Bowen Island. This is the last confirmed sighting of Jodi. Morning, June 20, 2009 Jodi fails to contact her family or friends. Concern begins to grow as she does not return home or board the ferry. June 21, 2009 (Following Day) Jodi is officially reported missing. Search-and-rescue teams begin combing Bowen Island’s dense forests, cliffs, and shorelines but find no sign of her. Months Following Her Disappearance (2009) The RCMP investigates and questions witnesses, including Gavin Arnott, who is identified as a person of interest but not charged. No significant leads or evidence emerge, and the case remains unsolved. 2010 The case is handed over to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) , marking it as a suspected homicide. 2024 A documentary crew working on “Finding Jodi”  discovers potential evidence on Bowen Island with the help of cadaver dogs, prompting IHIT to re-examine the case. The Disappearance of Jodi Henrickson On the evening of June 19, 2009, 17-year-old Jodi Henrickson left her home in Squamish, British Columbia, telling her family she planned to camp at Cultus Lake. Instead, she traveled to Bowen Island, a popular but remote destination in Howe Sound, to attend a party with friends. This decision would mark the beginning of an enduring mystery that has puzzled investigators and devastated her family for over a decade. Jodi arrived on Bowen Island and joined two separate gatherings over the course of the night. The first was at a residence on Harding Road, a well-known spot for young people to party. She later moved to another event at a location referred to as Leroyville, approximately eight kilometers away. Witnesses reported that Jodi was seen moving between these two parties multiple times during the night. At some point during the evening, Jodi encountered her ex-boyfriend, Gavin Arnott, who was also attending the parties. Gavin and Jodi had a complicated history, and their relationship had been tumultuous in the months leading up to her disappearance. Around 4:00 a.m. on June 20, the pair was last seen walking hand-in-hand down a dark road near the Snug Cove Ferry Terminal, a common access point for leaving Bowen Island. Witnesses reported spotting them close to Miller’s Landing, but by sunrise, Jodi was gone. Despite being a small community, Bowen Island's rugged terrain posed significant challenges for the initial search efforts. Dense forests, steep cliffs, and an expansive shoreline made it difficult for search-and-rescue teams to thoroughly comb the area. Jodi’s family, friends, and local volunteers worked tirelessly in the days following her disappearance, but no physical evidence of her whereabouts was found. Adding to the mystery, Jodi's ex-boyfriend Gavin Arnott, who had been charged with assaulting her the previous year, became a person of interest in the case. Although investigators questioned him extensively, no charges were ever laid, and Arnott denied any involvement in her disappearance. This aspect of the case has remained a focal point for speculation and continues to draw public scrutiny. Jodi’s disappearance struck a nerve within the close-knit communities of Squamish and Bowen Island, prompting widespread media coverage and public appeals. However, as days turned into weeks and months, the trail grew cold. The RCMP officially handed the case over to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) in 2010, signifying the belief that foul play was likely involved. The timeline of Jodi’s last movements, coupled with the lack of physical evidence, continues to be one of the most perplexing elements of this case. Investigators and the community alike are left to grapple with numerous unanswered questions: What happened to Jodi after she was last seen with Gavin Arnott? Initial Investigation and Challenges The investigation into Jodi Henrickson’s disappearance began immediately after she was reported missing on June 21, 2009. The early efforts to locate Jodi involved extensive search-and-rescue operations, community mobilization, and media coverage. However, the initial phase of the investigation faced significant challenges that ultimately hindered progress. The Initial Search Local authorities, including the RCMP, coordinated large-scale searches on Bowen Island, focusing on the areas near Snug Cove, Miller’s Landing, and the party sites at Harding Road and Leroyville. These locations were central to her last known movements. Volunteers from the community and professional search teams combed through dense forests, rocky cliffs, and isolated shorelines, all of which posed logistical difficulties. The rugged terrain made it challenging to thoroughly cover all possible areas where Jodi might have been. Investigative Challenges Lack of Physical Evidence Despite the comprehensive search efforts, no significant physical evidence, such as clothing, personal belongings, or any signs of a struggle, was found. Investigators later speculated that the geography of Bowen Island might have contributed to the lack of evidence, with steep cliffs and water potentially concealing crucial clues. Witness Inconsistencies Accounts from partygoers about Jodi’s interactions and movements were inconsistent. While some witnesses confirmed seeing her with Gavin Arnott, others were unable to provide clear details about her state or intentions. The transient nature of the parties, with guests moving between locations, created gaps in the timeline, further complicating the investigation. Delay in Classifying the Case Initially, Jodi’s case was treated as a missing person incident rather than a potential crime. This delay may have resulted in missed opportunities for collecting forensic evidence or identifying early leads. By the time the case was escalated to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) in 2010, key witnesses had dispersed, and memories had faded. Complicated Relationship with Gavin Arnott Investigators focused on Jodi’s last known companion, Gavin Arnott, who had been charged with assaulting her the previous year. While Arnott cooperated with questioning, he was identified as a person of interest but not a suspect. His involvement in Jodi’s final hours has remained a focal point of speculation and public interest. Bowen Island: The Last Known Location Bowen Island, a picturesque and relatively remote destination off the coast of British Columbia, became the focal point of the investigation into Jodi Henrickson’s disappearance. Its serene reputation contrasts starkly with the events of June 19-20, 2009, when Jodi was last seen. Understanding the geographical and social context of Bowen Island sheds light on the challenges faced by search teams and investigators. The Island’s Geography Bowen Island is accessible only by ferry, primarily through the Snug Cove Ferry Terminal, which connects to the mainland. This limited access makes it relatively secluded, a feature that contributed to the complexity of search-and-rescue efforts. The island is known for its rugged terrain, featuring dense forests, steep cliffs, and rocky shorelines. While these natural features attract hikers and tourists, they also make thorough searches incredibly challenging. With a small population of around 3,600 residents in 2009, the community was tight-knit, meaning that Jodi’s disappearance quickly became a widely discussed and deeply felt event. Key Locations in Jodi’s Timeline Harding Road The first party Jodi attended on the night of her disappearance took place at a residence on Harding Road. This location was a known gathering spot for local youth. Witnesses reported Jodi interacting with friends and moving between groups. Leroyville Jodi later attended another party at Leroyville, about 8 kilometers away from Harding Road. This distance required her to walk along unlit, forested roads, adding an element of danger to her movements. Miller’s Landing The last confirmed sighting of Jodi occurred around 6:30 a.m. on June 20, 2009 , near Miller’s Landing. She was seen walking hand-in-hand with her ex-boyfriend, Gavin Arnott , toward the Snug Cove Ferry Terminal. This sighting is critical to the timeline, as it establishes her movements leading up to her disappearance. However, what happened after this point remains a mystery. The Challenges of Searching Bowen Island The initial search efforts, led by the RCMP and local volunteers, were hampered by the island’s difficult terrain. Search teams had to navigate through thick underbrush and steep slopes, with some areas deemed too dangerous to access fully. The proximity of the shoreline raised the possibility that Jodi could have accidentally fallen into the water, but no evidence supporting this theory was ever found. Speculations About the Island’s Role Some have speculated that the island’s isolation could have made it easier for someone to cover their tracks. The lack of surveillance cameras and the sparsely populated areas around the party locations created significant challenges for investigators. Others have questioned whether Jodi’s disappearance involved foul play or an accident caused by the island’s natural hazards. The steep cliffs near Miller’s Landing and the surrounding areas are known for being treacherous, particularly in low-light conditions. The Investigation Goes Cold By late 2009, the investigation had stalled due to a lack of evidence and viable leads. Authorities expressed frustration at the absence of physical or circumstantial evidence tying anyone to Jodi’s disappearance. The case was officially handed over to IHIT in 2010, with investigators publicly stating their belief that foul play was involved. Despite these challenges, the case was never officially closed. IHIT emphasized its ongoing commitment to finding out what happened to Jodi, but with no new leads, it remained classified as a cold case for over a decade—until renewed interest emerged in 2024. Final Thoughts The case of Jodi Henrickson’s disappearance remains one of British Columbia’s most enduring mysteries, highlighting both the resilience of a community unwilling to forget and the challenges faced by law enforcement in solving cold cases. Over 15 years after her last known sighting on Bowen Island, her story continues to evoke heartbreak, curiosity, and a deep yearning for answers. The renewed attention brought by the documentary “Finding Jodi” has not only re-energized the search for truth but has also underscored the vital role of public awareness in such cases. From the cadaver dogs’ discovery of a potential lead to the scheduled interview with Jodi’s ex-boyfriend Gavin Arnott, there are glimmers of hope that the questions surrounding her disappearance may finally be answered. The collaboration between filmmakers, forensic experts, and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) represents a powerful example of how multidisciplinary efforts can breathe new life into stalled investigations. For Jodi’s family and the communities of Squamish and Bowen Island, the wait for closure has been agonizing. Their continued advocacy ensures that Jodi’s memory remains alive, and their unwavering determination serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking justice for those who cannot speak for themselves. As the documentary nears its release in 2025, the hope is that it will inspire individuals with knowledge about Jodi’s disappearance to come forward. Every detail, no matter how small, could be the key to unlocking this case. For now, Jodi’s story stands as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring strength of those who fight for truth. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Jodi Henrickson, please contact IHIT at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca . Together, there is still a chance to bring closure to this heartbreaking mystery.

Let's face it. Women are targeted every day. Walking to the car. Jogging at night. Coming home from work. Hoping nothing ever happens to you is not a real plan. Preparation is the only answer. A weapon in your hand can turn fear into action and give you the chance to escape. BUT some weapons (and tools) are not always legal where you live depending on your self-defense laws. I'm here to simplify this for you, and I have some of the best recommendations depending on whether you're in the USA or Canada. Best Self-Defense Weapons For Women Personal Safety Alarm Why it works: These things are LOUD! The last thing a predator wants is to lose control of the situation and have people noticing them. One yank of the pin on this device and it screeches like a banshee. Best for:  Young women, students, seniors, or anyone who wants a non-lethal option. U.S.:  Fully legal. Canada:  Fully legal. Pepper Spray & Gel Sprays Why it works: Pepper sprays are some of the best self-defense weapons for women. They incapacitate an attacker by burning the eyes and lungs so you can make an escape. Best for:  Creating distance quickly without close contact. U.S.:  Legal in most states, with size or strength limits in some places. USA Pepper Spray Link here Canada:  Illegal for use against humans. Animal sprays (bear or dog) intended for protecting yourself against bears, coyotes and wildlife are legal and commonly carried for defense. Canada "dog repellent" spray link here. Byrna "Guns" A Byrna gun isn't actually a real gun. It fires high-speed kinetic and chemical irritant rounds that can stop a threat from 60 feet away. No bullets. But it is realistic-looking enough that you could defend yourself with it. The Byrna gun is legal in Canada to own, but it is illegal to carry it and use it against another person in self-defense. Like all tools and all weapons in Canada, you cannot carry anything for the purposes of self defense. For Canadians, you can buy it directly from the Byrna website. Our US friends, as always, can legally defend themselves with a Byrna gun, no issues. Tactical Flashlights Why it works: Bright light (300+ lumens) blinds attackers in the dark. Heavy casing doubles as a striking tool. Best for:  Night walks, travel, and everyday carry. U.S.:  Fully legal. Buy on Amazon USA. Canada:  Fully legal. Buy on Amazon CA. Keychain Self-Defense Weapons Why it works: Compact and always on hand. Designed for striking or attention. Best for:  Everyday carry. U.S.:  Legal. Buy on Amazon USA. Canada:  Kubotans and tactical pens exist in a gray area. Legal if carried as tools, but not if police decide intent is “weapon.” Buy on Amazon CAD. Stun Guns Why it works: Delivers an electric shock that causes pain and muscle disruption. Best for:  Close contact when escape routes are limited. U.S.:  Legal in most states. Some require permits. Canada:  Illegal. Prohibited under federal law. Stay safe!

Tired of looking over your shoulder as you walk alone at night? The good news is that there are numerous apps to keep you safe. From emergency alert systems to GPS tracking and more, these personal safety apps can help you take control of your safety and enjoy all that this amazing city has to offer with peace of mind. H ere are the 10 best personal safety apps for Vancouverites. Top 10 Personal Safety Apps You Need to Download Now 1. Citizen: The Ultimate Crime-Fighting Sidekick App: Citizen If you want real-time alerts about crime and other incidents in your area, Citizen is the app for you. Not only does it provide updates from local police and emergency services, but it also allows you to report incidents and share updates with your community. Plus, with its user-friendly interface and powerful search engine, you can easily stay up-to-date on crime trends and crime hot spots in Vancouver . 2. Nextdoor: A Social Network for Safety App: Nextdoor We admit, Nextdoor does sound like a place where a nosy and elderly Miss Marple character would be found gossiping about the latest teenager circling their block. But this app also has an effective side, with a focus on keeping you safe from any sketchy characters lurking in the 'hood. You can receive instant alerts about local crime and suspicious activity. With the "Neighborhood Watch" feature, you and your neighbours can also team up like a group of amateur crime-fighting superheroes, keeping your community safe and secure from any would-be baddies. 3. Vancouver Crime Map Image: Vancouver Crime Map from VPD App: GEODash crime map Did you know you can find out exactly how much crime there is in Vancouver? The Vancouver Crime Map allows you to view crime data for your neighborhood with just a few clicks. You can access crime stats from any month, week, day, or year, and even search for specific crimes. You'll have a bird's eye view of crime trends. Created by the Vancouver Police Department, this online map allows you to even search for specific crimes, such as "robbery," and see red dots highlighting the areas with the highest criminal activity. Plus, t his information refreshes every 24 hours. 4. My Safetipin: Your Personal Safety Assistant App: My Safetipin If you’ve ever felt unsafe traveling to your next destination, My Safetipin allows you to share your tracking location with your friends and family so they can see where you are. This unique personal safety app also provides crime alerts and assesses the safety of your surroundings based on factors such as lighting, visibility and crowd density. You can use the app to plan safe routes, avoid unsafe areas and even rate the safety of places you've been to. Clearly, the Vancouver Crime Map and these additional apps are invaluable resources for those of us who want to stay informed about crime in our beloved Vancouver. With real-time data, you can take proactive measures to ensure your safety and keep ahead of potential criminal activity. 5. My SOS Family Emergency Alerts App: My SOS Family Emergency Alerts My SOS Family Emergency Alerts is is a personal safety app that allows you to quickly notify your family, friends and the emergency services when you're in danger or need assistance. Once you shake your phone and trigger the SOS button, then the app emits out a pre-configured alert to your emergency contacts with your location and other relevant details. You can also use a feature called "Safe Check-in," where you check in with your family or friends at the scheduled time. If you miss that time, then the app will send an alert to your emergency contacts to remind them to check in on you. 6. bSafe: "Never Walk Alone" App: bSafe bSafe has so many features including live video streaming if you're in danger, an SOS alarm which sends out an alert to your contacts. It even has a "fake call" simulator where you can talk to your phone so you that other people think you're having a conversation with a real person. bSafe allows your contacts to track with you with a "follow me" features, and it can also alert your emergency contacts via an alarm if you set a timer. 7. WalkSafe+ App: WalkSafe+ WalkSafe+ was developed by Vancouver's very own University of British Columbia (UBC) originally UBC students, faculty and staff feel safe while walking around campus and in the surrounding areas. You can use it for areas outside of UBC, and use GPS tracking and the "Follow Me" to share your location with friends and family. If you're feeling like you're in danger, there's a "SafeWalk" feature where you can request a companion to walk with you so you're not alone. The app also allows you to "Report a Tip" to report safety concerns or suspicious activity. 8. Life360: Find Family & Friends App: Life360 If you have a vulnerable, elderly family member or a child that's becoming more independent, you're going to love this app. Life360 is a family safety app that has location sharing as well as a panic button that can be used in case of emergencies. The app also has a crash detection feature that will automatically notify emergency services if it detects a severe impact. 9. Hollie Guard: Track Your Location App: Hollie Guard After a young woman was murdered by her ex-partner in 2014, an app was created in her memory. The Hollie Guard personal safety app has a "shake" phone feature activates an alarm. This alarm sends an alert to your emergency contacts with your exact GPS location and audio and video footage from your phone's camera and microphone. You can also use the "Walk with me" feature that allows you to send an alert to your designated emergency contacts when you are walking alone, and the app can track your location in real-time. 10. StaySafeVancouver.com App: StaySafeVancouver.com We launched StaySafeVancouver.com with the aim of providing up-to-date information on local crime and equipping Vancouver residents with crucial safety tips. Our goal is to ensure that you can quickly and easily access information that will help you either avoid dangerous situations altogether or know how to handle them if they do arise. Bookmarking this website means you'll never have to worry about being caught off guard in a sketchy situation. While Vancouver is generally a safe city, there are areas where crime rates are higher, and staying informed about crime trends in those areas is crucial. Knowledge is power, and we believe that everyone deserves access to this valuable information. So, why not be a good friend and share StaySafeVancouver.com with your bestie? We'd also encourage you to check out these 3 pre-recorded TikTok safety videos that sound like real conversations, and are sure to deter any creepy drivers!