Drug-trafficking ring smashed by police
Anti-gang unit charges seven people, including Hells Angel; two still at large
A lengthy investigation by B.C.'s anti-gang unit has led to more than two dozen charges against seven alleged drug traffickers, one of whom is a full-patch member of the Hells Angels' Haney chapter.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C. said two of the suspects, Roman and Lukas Tassone, remain on the lam and are wanted on warrants. The other five men have been arrested and released while they await court dates.
The unit began the investigation in early 2020 into what police believed to be a “large-scale drug-trafficking operation on behalf of a criminal organization in the Lower Mainland and Okanagan,” Sgt. Brenda Winpenny said in a news release.
Between September 2020 and July 2021, a dozen search warrants led to the seizure of about $650,000 in cash; illegal drugs including two kilograms of cocaine, a kilo of fentanyl, a kilo of MDMA and 10 kilos of pot; firearms including a 9-mm handgun and ammunition, a .45-calibre handgun with prohibited SKS rifle magazines and ammo, three rifles, a shotgun, body armour and two vehicles.
Also seized at one location were paraphernalia including a Hells Angels Motorcycle Club vest and other Hells Angels clothing. The following people face charges:
■ Jonathan Lutar, 39, of Vancouver: Directing a criminal organization, trafficking a controlled substance for a criminal organization and several other drug-trafficking offences.;
■ Courtney Lafreniere, 41, of Maple Ridge: Trafficking for a criminal organization and other trafficking offences.
■ Oakley Charest, 34, of Vernon: Trafficking for a criminal organization, other trafficking offences and firearms charges.
■ Matthew Shaw, 31, of Tsawwassen: Trafficking for a criminal organization and other trafficking offences.
■ Allan Arcangel, 51, of Vancouver: Trafficking for a criminal organization and other trafficking offences.
■ Roman Tassone, 28, of Vancouver: Possession for the purpose of trafficking a controlled substance.
■ Lukas Tassone, 34, of Vancouver: Possession for the purpose of trafficking a controlled substance.
Anyone with information on Roman or Lukas Tassone's whereabouts is asked to call local police or Crime Stoppers.
“This investigation resulted in the seizure of potentially deadly drugs, firearms and disruption of a sophisticated drug-trafficking operation,” said Assistant Commissioner Manny Mann.