ABDUL Shaheel Khan, 22, and Shastina Shrena Kumar, 21, both of Surrey, face several drug- and firearm-related charges after a number of guns and drugs were seized in an ongoing investigation that is believed to be associated to the Lower Mainland gang conflict. More charges are expected.

[Incidentally, Shastina Shrena Kumar is NOT the same person as Shastina Sashi Kumar, who works at Radio Bula Masti. Shastina Sashi Kumar is older than 21. She went to North Delta Secondary. She has been getting calls about this incident and contacted The VOICE on Monday to carry this clarification. The story was picked up by other media on Tuesday.]

In October 2017, Surrey RCMP’s Drug Unit began an investigation into alleged drug trafficking in Surrey and Langley. Officers gathered evidence throughout November and December and on December 13, a search warrant was executed at a residence in the 8600 block of 144A Street in Surrey.

The following items were seized:

· an SKS assault rifle

· a sawed off shotgun

· a .22 calibre revolver

· ammunition for various calibre weapons

· bulk powder cocaine, heroin, and crack cocaine

· drug processing material and equipment

· $2,000 cash

· two vehicles alleged to be involved in dial-a-dope operations

Khan and Kumar have each been charged with the following:

· Two counts of ‘unlawfully traffic in a controlled substance’

· Three counts of ‘unlawfully possess a controlled substance’

· Six counts of various firearm-related offences

Khan remains in custody pending his next court appearance, while Kumar has been released on bail and is under house arrest.

Evidence seized in the December 13 investigation led to a search warrant being executed on December 21 at a home in the 18200 block of 83rd Avenue. Items seized from that residence included three bolt action rifles, a shotgun, an imitation firearm, ammunition, and a stolen vehicle. One male was also arrested and taken into custody. He has since been released on a promise to appear with various conditions.

“Our Drug Section investigators, supported by our specialized sections and partners, continues to target dial-a-dope trafficking operations that pose a significant risk to public safety,” says Community Services Officer Superintendent Shawn Gill. “Any time we can remove drugs and weapons of this nature from our communities it is considered a success. We continue to engage in a number of enforcement, prevention, and education strategies to disrupt the illegal drug trade and associated violence that we have seen in our city and across the Lower Mainland.”