Years active 1990s-present | ||
Ethnicity Mostly South Asian and European Canadians Criminal activities Drug trafficking, armed robbery, Bribery, Arms trafficking, Assault, extortion, fraud, Skim, money laundering, murder, Attempted murder Allies Similar United Nations (gang), Red Scorpions, Big Circle Gang | ||
The Independent Soldiers, otherwise known as the IS, is a gang in British Columbia. The I.S consists of many nationalities with higher positions generally filled with Indian-Canadians of Punjabi descent. Although recently there have been more whites joining and older IS leaders getting killed off leading up to new leadership and new ally ties with Hells Angels.
Over the past few years the gang has gained prominence in Vancouver, as well as Kamloops, Kelowna, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Surrey, and elsewhere. The gang is generally engaged in turf wars, drug distribution, money laundering, and other criminal activities. The gang has publicly feuded with rivals such as the United Nations and Hells Angels (in the past), this has led to many unsolved murders, drive by shootings, and jailing of members. The gang has grown steadily over the past few years and can be seen on the streets with their red and black colors as well as clothing tagged with the initials I.S.
In 2005, IS leader Sukhvinder "Bicky" Dosanjh was killed in a car accident. The gang is now believed to be led by Peter Adiwal, whose trouble with the law goes back more than a decade. He faced a robbery charge in 1997, but it was later stayed. In 2000, he was charged and later convicted of possession of a loaded weapon. Another weapons charge laid in 2002 was stayed. A year later, he pleaded guilty to kidnapping and assault and served jail time.
As of 2009 the IS are operational within Calgary and Edmonton, and are believed to maintain ties with one of Calgary's Asian gangs and an ever growing presence of the Rizzuto Crime Family from Montreal.
The Independent Soldiers are no longer considered Independent. They have become a puppet club for the Hell's Angels while also acting in alliance with the 'Wolf Pack'.
In 2015 the Independent Soldiers resurgence was also interrupted by the Kelowna RCMP after a search warrant was placed at a residence in Lake Country. A high-powered prohibited handgun, 20-gauge shotgun, AR-style .22 calibre rifle, assorted ammunition, a crossbow, and drug paraphernalia were all exposed at the residence. As well, three large boxes of new clothing bearing the Independent Soldiers logo were also discovered and seized. CFSEU officers also seized cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy and other illicit substances at the clothing drive.