The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) says six people have been arrested and charged as the result of a three-year investigation into an organized crime group.
Police say “Project Torque” began in late 2021 with a focus on a Vancouver-based operation, working both domestically and internationally.
In May of last year, the VPD announced that the conclusion of the first phase of the investigation, in December 2022, led to four arrests and the seizure of multiple firearms and drugs.
During phase two, police say investigators from the Organized Crime Section executed three search warrants at various locations in downtown Vancouver.
Since Project Torque began, investigators claim to have seized over 200 kilograms of illicit drugs worth an estimated $16 million, seven guns, and $500,000 in cash and jewelry.
The VPD announced Thursday the arrest of Omid Mashinchi (41 years old), Victor Chow (31), Omid Pakniyat (24), Josef Tolja (30), Amir Navarchi(39), and Jemina Ortega (28).
The group now faces a range of individual charges, including conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a restricted firearm, and possession of a loaded restricted firearm.