Man found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in CFSEU-BC-led investigation into drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit murder

A man has been convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison after being charged with 17 criminal offences following a Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC)-led investigation that proactively targeted an alleged drug trafficking network and involved a conspiracy to commit murder.

In late 2020, CFSEU-BC worked with the Surrey and Burnaby RCMP in response to information learned of an alleged conspiracy to commit murder. The investigation identified one suspect who was believed to be plotting to commit the murder.

Due to an increased risk to the public because of the potentially lethal drugs being produced and distributed in the lower mainland, CFSEU-BC worked with the Surrey RCMP, who released public safety bulletins warning of these potentially lethal batches of drugs being distributed.

In December 2020 CFSEU-BC, with assistance from Burnaby RCMP, Surrey RCMP, and Lower Mainland District Integrated Emergency Response Team (LMD IERT), executed search warrants in multiple jurisdictions around the lower mainland. The suspect was found at one of the search locations and was arrested.

The following was seized as a result of the search warrants:

• 1 kg of fentanyl
• 1 kg of methamphetamine
• 1kg of cocaine
• several firearms
• 2 firearms suppressors

Various prohibited and non-prohibited weapons On March 18th, 2021 Brandon Nandan, a 28-year-old male from Surrey, was charged with the following Criminal Code and Drug Offences:

• One Count of Conspiracy to Commit Murder with a Firearm
• One Count of Counsel to Commit Murder with a Firearm 
• One Count of Possession of a Loaded and Restricted Firearm
• One Count of Possession of a Firearm Where Prohibited
• Two Counts of Possession of a Prohibited Device
• One Count of Possession of a Prohibited Firearm
• One Count of Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• One Count of Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
• One Count of Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
• Two Counts of Possession of Methamphetamine for the Purpose of Trafficking
• One Count of Possession of Fentanyl and Carfentanil for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Two Counts of Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking
• One Count of Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking 

On May 25th, Nandan was charged with an additional offence:

• One Count of Production of a Controlled Substance

On July 20th, 2022 Brandon Nandan pleaded guilty to:

• Trafficking in Fentanyl, contrary to s. 5(1) of the CDSA
  Possession of Fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to s. 5(2) of the
  CDSA
  Possession of Fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to s. 5(2) of the
  CDSA
  Possession of a loaded 9mm caliber Beretta model 92FS Semi automatic pistol, contrary to s. 
95(1) of the Code
  Counselling person A to commit the Indictable Offence of Discharging a Firearm with intent to 
endanger life of A.B. which offence was not committed, contrary to s.464(a) of the Code
  Transferring a 9mm calibre CZ model TT9 semiautomatic pistol, contrary to s. 99(1)(a) of the 
Code
  Possession of a Polymer80 PF940C 9mm pistol, contrary to s. 95(1) of the Code
  Possession of Controlled Substances (Fentanyl, Cocaine and Methamphetamine) for the 
purpose of trafficking, contrary to s. 5(2) of the CDSA

Brandon Nandan was sentenced to a total of 15 years imprisonment with a mix of consecutive and concurrent sentences for the offences he pleaded guilty to. Considering his time already served of two years and seven days, the total remaining sentence is 12 years and 358 days.

“As the provincial anti-gang agency, CFSEU-BC continues to proactively target individuals linked to violent gang activities and opioid trafficking that too often victimizes the most vulnerable in our communities,” says CFSEU-BC’s Deputy Operations Officer, Superintendent Duncan Pound. “Working with the Surrey RCMP and Burnaby RCMP, CFSEU-BC investigators were able to thwart a murder plot, disrupt other violent acts that would have endangered innocent lives, and prevent additional opioid- related deaths.”

CFSEU-BC would like to acknowledge and thank the Surrey RCMP, Burnaby RCMP, Lower Mainland District Integrated Emergency Response Team (LMD IERT), and all of the other units that supported this investigation.

Acting CFSEU-BC Media Spokesperson: Staff Sergeant Lindsey Houghton
Desk: 778-290-3099