Police in Vancouver are hoping the public can help locate two men wanted Canada-wide who are thought to be tied to local gang activity.
The two men are wanted on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, possession of stolen property, as well as firearm charges. Both their last-known locations are outside of Vancouver.
“Both of these men are believed to be associated to the Metro Vancouver gang conflict,” says Constable Tania Visintin of the VPD in a media release. “The charges stem from Taskforce Tourniquet, a joint forces operation led by the Vancouver Police that targeted four major violent crime groups in Metro Vancouver.”
As a whole, Taskforce Tourniquet consisted of several joint enforcement projects, which have resulted in the seizure of more than 170 firearms, more than 10 kilograms of fentanyl, 40 kgs of heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine, and more than $2 million worth of cash, jewellery, and high-end vehicles.
Vancouver Police launched Taskforce Tourniquet in 2017 in response to increasing gang violence in the region.
The two men the VPD are seeking are Romano Martodihardjo, 47, and Moeen Khan, 25.
Martodihardjo has a medium-coloured complexion, is five feet five inches and about 170 pounds, according to police. He has short shaved hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo on his chest of a mermaid and the word “purdy” on his upper left arm. He is currently wanted Canada-wide for possession of stolen property under $5,000, occupy a vehicle with a firearm, and possession of a firearm with ammunition.
Khan is South Asiain, five feet eight inches and about 180 pounds, describe authorities. He has short black hair and a black beard. He has “my brother’s keeper” tattooed across his chest. He is wanted Canada-wide for conspiracy to commit murder.
While Martodihardjo was last known to be in Saskatoon, Khan was last known to be in Pakistan.
Anyone who sees Romano Martodihardjo or Moeen Khan, or knows of their whereabouts, should call 9-1-1 immediately, urge police.
With files from Cameron Thomson
