Kim Bolan
@kimbolan.bsky.social
Award-winning Canadian journalist at the Vancouver Sun/Postmedia covering organized crime. Canucks fan since 1970 (sigh) [email protected] 604-219-5740 WhatsApp/Signal
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Kim Bolan
@kimbolan.bsky.social
· Nov 9
Lethal Exports: B.C. gangsters at the centre of a global drug trade
Crime reporter Kim Bolan travelled overseas to track major B.C. drug smugglers based in countries like Vietnam to avoid arrest back home.
vancouversun.com
My Lethal Exports series, published earlier this year based on research done in 6 countries with the assistance of a Lieutenant Governor's fellowship, will give you a sense of my work on B.C. gangs and their role in transnational organized crime. There is no paywall: vancouversun.com/feature/leth...
In fact, Wiwchar tried to escape as well in July 2022 - days after his co-accused Rabih Alkhalil broke out of North Fraser Pretrial. Wiwchar pleaded guilty in Aug. 2024 and was sentenced to 2 years, but was already serving life. (Alkhalil was arrested in Qatar last fall.)
January 30, 2026 at 2:19 AM
In fact, Wiwchar tried to escape as well in July 2022 - days after his co-accused Rabih Alkhalil broke out of North Fraser Pretrial. Wiwchar pleaded guilty in Aug. 2024 and was sentenced to 2 years, but was already serving life. (Alkhalil was arrested in Qatar last fall.)
Even if convicted, Wiwchar won't face any additional jail time as he's already serving life for a Toronto murder and was handed a 20-year sentence last month for the Sandip Duhre murder plot. So any new sentence would be concurrent.
January 30, 2026 at 2:19 AM
Even if convicted, Wiwchar won't face any additional jail time as he's already serving life for a Toronto murder and was handed a 20-year sentence last month for the Sandip Duhre murder plot. So any new sentence would be concurrent.
Convicted Wolfpack hitman Dean Wiwchar is facing 2 new charges for allegedly attempting to break out of Surrey Pretrial. I broke this story last month. The escape attempt happened Dec. 7 - right after he told a judge he planned to reform his life: vancouversun.com/news/local-n...
Wolfpack hitman Dean Wiwchar charged with attempted Surrey jail break
Convicted Wolfpack gang hitman Dean Wiwchar was charged the day after he told a B.C. Supreme Court judge he would turn his life around.
vancouversun.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Convicted Wolfpack hitman Dean Wiwchar is facing 2 new charges for allegedly attempting to break out of Surrey Pretrial. I broke this story last month. The escape attempt happened Dec. 7 - right after he told a judge he planned to reform his life: vancouversun.com/news/local-n...
Another Canadian pleads guilty in California to exporting meth to Australia as part of Surrey kingpin Opinder Sian's international drug ring. My story: vancouversun.com/news/crime/c...
Canadian who aided Surrey drug lord pleads guilty in California
Another Canadian who was part of Surrey drug kingpin Opinder Sian's international smuggling operation has pleaded guilty in Los Angeles.
vancouversun.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Another Canadian pleads guilty in California to exporting meth to Australia as part of Surrey kingpin Opinder Sian's international drug ring. My story: vancouversun.com/news/crime/c...
Mashinchi is wanted on drug trafficking charges. He was earlier convicted in Boston of money laundering. He has links to the Wolfpack here in BC. He has Canadian, Iranian and German citizenship.
January 25, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Mashinchi is wanted on drug trafficking charges. He was earlier convicted in Boston of money laundering. He has links to the Wolfpack here in BC. He has Canadian, Iranian and German citizenship.
I investigated Mashinchi's suspicious leasing business back in 2018 - proving that he leased a North Van condo to Brothers Keepers founder Gavin Grewal, who was later murdered inside it. vancouversun.com/news/crime/f...
Former realtor linked to B.C. gangs facing money laundering charges in U.S.
A former Metro Vancouver realtor who has been leasing luxury properties to B.C. gangsters is behind bars in the U.S. charged with international money laundering.
vancouversun.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:08 PM
I investigated Mashinchi's suspicious leasing business back in 2018 - proving that he leased a North Van condo to Brothers Keepers founder Gavin Grewal, who was later murdered inside it. vancouversun.com/news/crime/f...
The allegations in 12 new civil forfeiture lawsuits says Mashinchi and his associates used a leasing company front to launder money by claiming criminal proceeds were lease payments for luxury condos. Mashinchi disappeared while under investigation in a VPD drug trafficking case.
January 25, 2026 at 8:08 PM
The allegations in 12 new civil forfeiture lawsuits says Mashinchi and his associates used a leasing company front to launder money by claiming criminal proceeds were lease payments for luxury condos. Mashinchi disappeared while under investigation in a VPD drug trafficking case.
Weekend exclusive: Money launderer and accused trafficker Omid Mashinchi is on the run, but the BC government wants $37 million in Metro Vancouver properties handed over as proceeds of his criminal activity: vancouversun.com/news/metro-v...
Metro Vancouver properties key in 'long-running, large-scale scheme' by drug trafficker: B.C. civil forfeiture
Omid Mashinchi, who is on Canada's most-wanted list, disappeared during a Vancouver police investigation into a large drug trafficking ring.
vancouversun.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Weekend exclusive: Money launderer and accused trafficker Omid Mashinchi is on the run, but the BC government wants $37 million in Metro Vancouver properties handed over as proceeds of his criminal activity: vancouversun.com/news/metro-v...
Owners of house rented by Hardside Hells Angels say bikers have been evicted and that landlords knew nothing of criminal activity; no HA members have filed responses yet to BC govt lawsuit: vancouversun.com/news/crime/b...
Biker clubhouse owners say they knew nothing of 'illegal activity'
The owner of the Surrey house used by the Hells Angels is denying allegations by the B.C. government which wants to seize the property
vancouversun.com
January 21, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Owners of house rented by Hardside Hells Angels say bikers have been evicted and that landlords knew nothing of criminal activity; no HA members have filed responses yet to BC govt lawsuit: vancouversun.com/news/crime/b...
First US sanctions, then a police raid that found 17 tonnes+ of chemicals (some used in fentanyl and methemphetamine) and now B.C. wants Bobby Shah's $3 million house forfeited. But no charges yet. vancouversun.com/news/bc-want...
B.C. wants house of controversial chemical broker forfeited
The B.C. government wants Bobby Shah’s palatial Maple Ridge home, currently for sale for $3.6 million, forfeited as a proceed of crime.
vancouversun.com
January 17, 2026 at 6:48 PM
First US sanctions, then a police raid that found 17 tonnes+ of chemicals (some used in fentanyl and methemphetamine) and now B.C. wants Bobby Shah's $3 million house forfeited. But no charges yet. vancouversun.com/news/bc-want...
My weekend feature looking back at Vancouver's 20 year+ gang war and two long overdue guilty pleas: vancouversun.com/news/bc-gang...
Guilty pleas in B.C. gang murder plots mark end of an era in long-running war
Over a two-decade gang war, brazen public executions were carried out in Metro Vancouver restaurants, clubs, gyms and mall parking lots.
vancouversun.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:32 PM
My weekend feature looking back at Vancouver's 20 year+ gang war and two long overdue guilty pleas: vancouversun.com/news/bc-gang...
Another fatal shooting in Surrey today - a body was found in the 3800-block of 176 Street, in a farming area, just before noon. No info yet on whether it is connected to any other recent shooting.
January 13, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Another fatal shooting in Surrey today - a body was found in the 3800-block of 176 Street, in a farming area, just before noon. No info yet on whether it is connected to any other recent shooting.
Yes. Just posted a story
January 13, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Yes. Just posted a story
Brothers Keepers gangster Naseem "Lil Man" Mohammed found dead in Surrey house - 3 days after gangmate murdered in Abbotsford. Rivals posted celebratory photos. vancouversun.com/news/crime/b...
Brothers Keepers gangster and alleged hitman found dead in Surrey house
Naseem Ali Mohammed was found dead in a burning Surrey house on Monday, a short time after returning to Canada. Learn more.
vancouversun.com
January 13, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Brothers Keepers gangster Naseem "Lil Man" Mohammed found dead in Surrey house - 3 days after gangmate murdered in Abbotsford. Rivals posted celebratory photos. vancouversun.com/news/crime/b...
Hells Angel from the B.C. Nomads pleaded guilty Wednesday to illegal gaming; a second charge against Chico Pires and his co-accused was dropped. vancouversun.com/news/hells-a...
Hells Angel pleads guilty to illegal gaming charge
A long-time Hells Angel has pleaded guilty to illegal gambling and was fined $10,000 after an investigation by B.C.'s anti-gang agency.
vancouversun.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Hells Angel from the B.C. Nomads pleaded guilty Wednesday to illegal gaming; a second charge against Chico Pires and his co-accused was dropped. vancouversun.com/news/hells-a...
Thanks and Merry Christmas to you!
December 25, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Thanks and Merry Christmas to you!
And the same to you!
December 25, 2025 at 8:23 AM
And the same to you!
Frida and I wish you all a Merry Christmas! Fingers crossed for 2026!
December 25, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Frida and I wish you all a Merry Christmas! Fingers crossed for 2026!
Scoop: Wolfpack hitman Dean Wiwchar was sentenced to 20 years Friday for his role in 2 murder plots. On Saturday he allegedly tried to make a break from jail. vancouversun.com/news/convict...
Convicted Wolfpack hitman allegedly attempts a second B.C. jail break
A day after a B.C. Supreme Court judge wished Wolfpack hitman Dean Wiwchar well in changing his life for the better, the killer allegedly attempted to escape from Surrey Pretrial jail, Postmedia has l...
vancouversun.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Scoop: Wolfpack hitman Dean Wiwchar was sentenced to 20 years Friday for his role in 2 murder plots. On Saturday he allegedly tried to make a break from jail. vancouversun.com/news/convict...
Tse Chi Lop, a Canadian, had been dubbed the Asian "El Chapo" for his success in the meth business. But he'll now spend the next few years behind bars....https://vancouversun.com/news/canadian-meth-kingpin-sentenced-to-16-years-in-australia
December 4, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Tse Chi Lop, a Canadian, had been dubbed the Asian "El Chapo" for his success in the meth business. But he'll now spend the next few years behind bars....https://vancouversun.com/news/canadian-meth-kingpin-sentenced-to-16-years-in-australia
“Members of the Hardside chapter, Mission chapter and Haney chapter have used the Hells Angels’ reputation for violence for the purpose of intimidation and other unlawful activity, all for material gain of the chapters and their respective membership.”
December 4, 2025 at 1:15 AM
“Members of the Hardside chapter, Mission chapter and Haney chapter have used the Hells Angels’ reputation for violence for the purpose of intimidation and other unlawful activity, all for material gain of the chapters and their respective membership.”
“The Hells Angels, as a criminal organization, is affiliated with other criminal organizations and individuals engaged in unlawful activities which have similar purposes to its own,” the lawsuit says.
December 4, 2025 at 1:15 AM
“The Hells Angels, as a criminal organization, is affiliated with other criminal organizations and individuals engaged in unlawful activities which have similar purposes to its own,” the lawsuit says.
FINAL version of this story today with details from the court document: vancouversun.com/news/bc-file...
B.C. files lawsuit to seize three more Hells Angels clubhouses
Two years after seizing three clubhouses from the Hells Angels, the province is going after others in Surrey, Mission and Pitt Meadows.
vancouversun.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:15 AM
FINAL version of this story today with details from the court document: vancouversun.com/news/bc-file...
Early version of my story - FYI, the first lawsuit against Nanaimo, Kelowna and East End clubhouses took 16 YEARS to resolve!!
vancouversun.com/news/bc-file...
vancouversun.com/news/bc-file...
B.C. files lawsuit to seize three more Hells Angels clubhouses
Two years after seizing three clubhouses from the Hells Angels, the province is going after others in Surrey, Mission and Pitt Meadows.
vancouversun.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Early version of my story - FYI, the first lawsuit against Nanaimo, Kelowna and East End clubhouses took 16 YEARS to resolve!!
vancouversun.com/news/bc-file...
vancouversun.com/news/bc-file...
BC government files claims against 3 more Hells Angels clubhouses - in Surrey, Mission and Pitt Meadows. This follows the seizure of the Nanaimo, East End and Kelowna clubhouses in 2023. Full story to be posted soon: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
Disrupting organized crime in B.C.
Civil Forfeiture Office files claim against three Hells Angels clubhouses
news.gov.bc.ca
December 3, 2025 at 7:34 PM
BC government files claims against 3 more Hells Angels clubhouses - in Surrey, Mission and Pitt Meadows. This follows the seizure of the Nanaimo, East End and Kelowna clubhouses in 2023. Full story to be posted soon: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...