Vancouver drug traffickers linked to notorious Wolfpack gang sentenced

A man is handcuffed after being detained by Vancouver police officers in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Five members of a Vancouver drug-trafficking ring linked to a notorious organized crime group have been sentenced to a combined 35 years in prison, according to British Columbia’s anti-gang police unit.

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C. says the men were trafficking drugs in the city’s Downtown Eastside as part of a network linked to the Wolfpack Alliance gang.

The investigation into the group’s activities began in July 2020 and led to the identification of the suspects over several months.

By May 2021, police had conducted search warrants at various locations around Vancouver, gathering evidence that would eventually lead to 11 charges against the five men.

During the searches, investigators seized seven prohibited or restricted guns and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, according to a police statement when charges were approved in November 2022.

Police also seized 10 kilograms of fentanyl, six kilograms of methamphetamine and three kilograms of cocaine, along with various cutting agents. Three vehicles and $160,000 in cash were also surrendered.

All five suspects later pleaded guilty, according to investigators.

Vinod Kanna Aruldevarajan, 28, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for drug trafficking on July 14, 2024.

Co-accused Howjeen Saed, 29, and Roger Bardales Medina, 32, were sentenced to 10 years and five years in prison for drug charges, respectively, the following November.

Finally in February, the remaining offenders – 32-year-old Hemen Hewa Saed and 26-year-old Diego Saed – were sentenced to nine years and six and a half years for drug-related offences, respectively.

“These convictions demonstrate CFSEU-BC’s continued success in targeting and disrupting organized crime groups that pose a threat to public safety,” spokesperson Cpl. Sarbjit K. Sangha said in a statement Thursday.

“The investigation highlights the strength of inter-agency collaboration, and CFSEU-BC extends its thanks to the Vancouver Police Department’s Organized Crime Section, the VPD Strike Force, and the VPD Integrated Emergency Response Team.”