Five Men Charged in Connection with Six Organized-Crime-Related Homicides

Following an intensive five-year investigation into the organized-crime related murders of six people, the Calgary Police Service has charged five men in connection with the deaths.

 

The men, all known to police, are alleged to have been involved in a street rivalry between two organized crime groups whose members have committed multiple murders and violent incidents since 2000.

 

This police operation, dubbed Desino by investigators, focused on three separate homicides starting in 2008. Desino, which is the Latin translation for desist, began in January of 2012 with a dedicated number of officers from several areas of the Service, including Major Crimes, Organized Crime and Community Policing.

 

Combined with major suppression efforts over the past several years, the Service committed multiple resources to the investigation of these homicides, and others committed by members of these organized crime groups.

 

Along with the laying of multiple first-degree murder charges, the CPS has for the first time in its history laid charges of Instructing a Criminal Organization and Participating in a Criminal Organization against two of the accused.

 

Gang violence transcends borders and has become a nationwide issue – with gang members crisscrossing the country on a regular basis. The Service relied on the assistance of more than a dozen law enforcement agencies and partners from coast-to-coast who lent valuable resources and time and intelligence into ensuring a successful conclusion to these cases. We are incredibly grateful for their help.

 

The complexity and scope of gang-related investigations is extensive and expensive. On average, a gang-related homicide investigation can cost several million dollars. The cost of this operation has yet to be tallied.

 

With considerable assistance from the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service, the following is a synopsis of the homicides, the victims and the men charged.

 

 

At approximately 6 p.m., on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008, Kevin Steven ANAYA, 21, was walking up to a home in the 1000 block of Marcombe Drive N.E., when he was shot by the occupants of a passing vehicle. The occupants then got out of the vehicle, walked up to ANAYA and the shooting continued, before they fled the area. ANAYA died at the scene.

 

It’s believed ANAYA was targeted along with another man who was not injured.

 

 

At approximately 3:50 a.m., on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008, Tina KONG and Kevin SES, along with two friends were at the Food Inn East restaurant in the 4100 block of Marlborough Drive N.E., when two gunmen burst in and shooting began at their table. KONG and SES were killed in the shooting, while the two others were severely injured. SES was a loose associate of a gang member. KONG had no connection to illegal activity.

 

 

At approximately, 3:50 p.m., on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009, three men attended Bolsa Restaurant in the 100 block of 94 Avenue S.E., and began shooting at the occupants of a particular table. Two of the men at the table, Sanjeev MANN and Aaron BENDLE were shot and killed. Innocent bystander Ken’i Su’a was gunned down as he tried to run from the violence.

 

 

Four people have already been charged in connection the Bolsa murders. Two are awaiting retrial, one is appealing and the other is currently serving a sentence in connection with this crime.

 

In addition:

The Service continues to remind anyone who is a relative, friend or associate of a known gang member that they are putting themselves in serious danger.

 

These individuals need to come forward to assist police in their ongoing gang-related investigations in the city. Silence directly contributes to the violence.

 

We also encourage anyone who is in a gang or involved in gang activity, and may be looking to leave the lifestyle, to contact us. We will provide assistance to those considering breaking from organized crime.