6 charged in probe of ‘violent’ drug trafficking organization linked to B.C. gang conflict: RCMP

An RCMP patch is seen on the shoulder of a Surrey RCMP Officer in Charge during a news conference in Surrey, B.C., on Friday, April 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Mounties say they have disrupted the activity of a “particularly violent” drug trafficking organization linked to the Lower Mainland gang conflict.

The Burnaby RCMP announced Monday that six people are facing a combined 36 charges following an eight-month-long investigation in 2022. Some of the original suspects, a statement from the detachment said, have since been murdered.

“The project, along with efforts by the RCMP’s Burnaby Gang Enforcement Team has severely disrupted the group which was a major source of illicit drugs which have been causing numerous and widespread deaths in Burnaby and the surrounding communities,” a Burnaby RCMP spokesperson said.

“It has also disrupted the perpetration of violence associated with the group towards others involved in the drug trade.”

Five hundred grams of drugs were seized, including fentanyl, heroin and cocaine, along with more than 1,500 pills, police said. More than $25,000 in cash was also confiscated.

Charges were approved by federal prosecutors in December of 2024, the detachment said.

Ryan Naidu, 27, has been charged with one count of assaulting a police officer, one count of trafficking and 14 counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Preshika Chand, 27, is charged with 11 counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Austin Reddy, 27, is charged with three counts of trafficking in controlled substances.

Nabil Dean, 26, and one unnamed youth are each facing one count of trafficking in controlled substances.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of the sixth suspect – 62-year-old Douglas Atkins – who is charged with four counts of trafficking.

Anyone with information about Atkins' whereabouts is urged to call 604-646-9999 and quote file number 2022-2094. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling at 1-800-222-8477.