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Seven arrested in gang-related kidnapping, including Surrey man

Those arrested also include Thomas Crawford, believed to be a former leader of the Kamloops chapter of the Independent Soldiers gang.
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Thomas Crawford

A Surrey man is among seven people facing kidnapping charges after what police are calling a "terrifying" gang-related incident.

Edmond Gammel, 24, faces charges along with suspects that include Thomas Crawford – believed to be the former second-in-command of the Kamloops chapter of the Independent Soldiers gang.

Vancouver Police Insp. Brad Desmarais said investigators became aware on Oct. 20 of the kidnapping of a 29-year-old man in downtown Vancouver.

He said they launched an "intense and complex" investigation involving more than 40 officers.

"The investigators were able to determine that a meeting had been arranged, which resulted in the alleged abduction, which we believe was financially motivated," Desmarais said.

Police say they identified a location in Richmond believed to have been associated with the kidnapping and began surveillance on Oct. 21.

"Not long after, officers watched as a blindfolded male was led into a car, which soon departed in the company of a second suspect SUV," Desmarais said.

Investigators tailing the vehicles saw the car pull over on a Richmond street and the victim thrown from the vehicle.

Five people were arrested immediately, while another two have since turned themselves in to police.

Desmarais said investigators believe the alleged kidnappers were working with a larger, eastern organized-crime group.

Those arrested in addition to Gammell and Carr were: David Tarrant, 28, and Veronica Moncur, 20, of Kamloops; Nazfar Mirhadi, 28, of North Vancouver; Demple Brar, 42, of Richmond; and Robert Ryan Carr, 28, of Abbotsford.

All of the accused are slated to appear in court on Nov. 3. Desmarais said the investigation is ongoing.