Pubdate: Tue, 16 Jun 2015
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Jennifer Saltman
Page: 7

POLICE LINK TWO SHOOTINGS TO DRUG WAR

SURREY: RCMP investigation into rash of shootings, however, has been 
stymied by unco-operative victims

Police have linked two of the three Surrey shootings in the past week 
to a low-level drug turf war, but their probe has been stymied by 
uncooperative victims.

Since early March, there have been more than 30 shootings in Surrey, 
18 of which are connected to the dispute in the Newton area.

"I'm very disappointed in the lack of co-operation," Mayor Linda 
Hepner said at a news conference outside the Surrey RCMP main 
detachment Monday.

Hepner acknowledged that residents are afraid of what is happening on 
city streets.

"These people (the victims) have the opportunity to change that. All 
they have to do is speak with us."

The dispute is between two groups of "dial-a-dopers," according to an 
inspector with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit. One 
group already has a strong hold on the drug trade in the Newton area 
and another is trying to take over.

"It's unfortunately a very lucrative drug trade out there," Insp. 
Joanne Boyle said. "These are young males who are out dialing for 
others to reap the benefits of that financially and status wise.

"This is not a gang - these are dial-a-dopers."

The two shootings related to the dispute took place June 8 and 
Saturday evening.

Last Monday, there was a shooting outside the Earls restaurant at 
72nd Avenue and Scott Road, and the patio glass was shattered.

Investigators are still gathering information about the shooting, but 
Surrey RCMP Supt. Manny Mann said it's related to the turf war. He 
said the investigative process has been slowed because some 
businesses have been unwilling to turn over potentially relevant 
video without a warrant.

Saturday night, two men suffered non-life-threatening injuries when 
they were shot during an exchange of gunfire in the 18600-block 
Highway 10. Shots were fired between two vehicles: a silver Pontiac 
Vibe and a light-coloured SUV.

The SUV has been seized, but police are still looking for the Vibe.

Mann said the two victims have been "very unco-operative."

To gather more information, Mann named one victim and released his photo.

Ravinder Samra, 28, was one of the men shot Saturday and was also 
shot earlier in the dispute.

He was at the Cactus Club restaurant in Langley shortly before the shooting.

Mann said he's hoping that people who were at the restaurant before 
10 p.m. have information about Samra and are willing to help police.

A third shooting, which took place Friday night in the 5700-block 
152nd Street, was unrelated to the dispute. Two men were injured when 
more than 30 rounds were fired at them as they sat outside a home. A 
dark-coloured sedan was seen fleeing the scene.
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