Independent Soldiers
Encyclopedia
The Independent Soldiers, otherwise known as the IS, is one of the most well known gangs in British Columbia
. The I.S consists of many nationalities with higher positions generally filled with Indo-Canadians of Punjabi descent.
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
, 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 pled 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.
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. The I.S consists of many nationalities with higher positions generally filled with Indo-Canadians of Punjabi descent.
Over the past few years the gang has gained prominence in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, as well as Kamloops, Kelowna
Kelowna
Kelowna is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley, in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada. Its name derives from a Okanagan language term for "grizzly bear"...
, Chilliwack
Chilliwack, British Columbia
Chilliwack is a Canadian city in the Province of British Columbia. It is a predominantly agricultural community with an estimated population of 80,000 people. Chilliwack is the second largest city in the Fraser Valley Regional District after Abbotsford. The city is surrounded by mountains and...
, Abbotsford
Abbotsford, British Columbia
Abbotsford is a Canadian city located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, adjacent to Greater Vancouver. It is the fifth largest municipality in British Columbia, home to 123,864 people . Its Census Metropolitan Area, which includes the District of Mission, is the 23rd largest in Canada,...
, Surrey
Surrey, British Columbia
Surrey is a city in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is a member municipality of Metro Vancouver, the governing body of the Greater Vancouver Regional District...
, 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
United Nations (gang)
The United Nations Gang or Global United Nations Syndicate is a criminal gang active in the Vancouver, British Columbia area...
and Hells Angels
Hells Angels
The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is a worldwide one-percenter motorcycle gang and organized crime syndicate whose members typically ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In the United States and Canada, the Hells Angels are incorporated as the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation. Their primary motto...
, 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 pled 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
Rizzuto crime family
The Rizzuto family is a Mafia organization based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The family territory covers most of southern Quebec and Ontario. The FBI considers the family connected to the Bonanno family, but the Canadian law enforcement considers it a separate crime family...
from Montreal.