In a recent attempted murder trial in Regina, testimony gave insight into the inner workings of street gangs in the city and the dominant role of the “Indian Mafia” gang in the Regina drug trade.. Regina Police Chief Evan Bray .During the trial of Thomas Stevenson in Regina, a gang expert from the Regina Police Service (RPS) testified about “gang politics” that allegedly contributed to the shooting of a gang member, whose identity is protected by a publication ban..To protect the victim's identity, court documents referred to him as J.M. during the trial..According to a summary of testimony, on Sept. 19, 2019, Travis Sutherland, a member of the Indian Mafia gang, wounded J.M. in a drive-by shooting on Osler Street's 2200 block. Stevenson was also linked to the incident..Const. Trevor Weir, who has been part of the RPS gang unit since 2012, testified about the rise of the Indian Mafia. He explained how the Indian Mafia gained power..During Weir’s testimony, he pointed out Regina's different from Toronto, Winnipeg, and Saskatoon. Unlike those cities, where similar-sized gangs are common, Regina is dominated by one gang..“Regina’s streets are more or less controlled by one group engaged in the drug trade,” Weir wrote in a report Street Gang Opinion..Weir testified the Indian Mafia emerged in 2014 after Operation Shred, which led to the imprisonment of the Native Syndicate's leaders. With the Native Syndicate gone, the Indian Mafia capitalized on the arrest to “explode in size, strength and control,” said Weir..According to Weir, the Indian Mafia's “principal activity is trafficking in illicit drugs.”.J.M. testified those who sell drugs without obtaining them through the Indian Mafia are subjected to “intimidation and violence.” Non-compliance can lead to violent acts, including “robberies and drive-by shootings.”.J.M. initially joined the Indian Mafia as a “crew boss” due to his established drug connections and paying off a debt for a senior gang member. Weir explained individuals with valuable contributions to the gang bypass initiation, while younger recruits endure a 30-second beating known as a “dirty 30.”.Following a falling out with the Indian Mafia, J.M. became affiliated with the Native Syndicate Killers, a smaller and more violent gang that started in 2004. .After J.M. was expelled from the Indian Mafia, he was deemed “green lit.” Weir said green lit means someone becomes a target for violence..After the police arrested most of the Native Syndicate, the Native Syndicate Killers and the Indian Mafia formed a truce. .Weir said members of both gangs were seen associating on social media and working together to control the drug trade..J.M. said there was a good working relationship between the Native Syndicate Killers and the Indian Mafia when he initially joined. .However, the truce ended after a high-ranking member of the Native Syndicate Killers was shot and killed by two Indian Mafia members in June 2019..“Rival gang members would shoot at each other on sight,” said J.M..On Sept. 19, 2019, J.M. was shot in a drive-by and identified Stevenson as being in the truck where the gunfire came from. .However, Justice Peter Bergbusch determined the Crown's case lacked sufficient evidence to prove Stevenson aided Travis Sutherland in the shooting..In his written decision, Bergbusch noted J.M. survived another assassination attempt a little over a month later with a headshot wound. .After J.M. left the hospitalization, he was arrested on gun charges and reached an agreement with the police, offering statements about both shootings in exchange for entry into witness protection..J.M. was moved to another province, given an apartment, and provided a weekly $75 allowance for food. He participated in a six-month drug rehabilitation program, but was expelled for violating the terms. .J.M. was then sentenced to a two and-a-half-year prison for his gun offences..“At the time of trial, J.M. had no gang affiliation or outstanding charges,” wrote Bergbusch.
