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Three Abbotsford teenagers have been charged in connection with the Lower Mainland drug turf war.

Ishaan Mutneja, Navpreet Dhaliwal and Sukhjit Malhi were all been arrested in the past week and a half and face charges related to the gang conflict stretching across the region, said police in a statement on Friday. All three are 19 years of age.

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Mutneja faces two charges while Dhaliwal and Malhi face six charges each. Charges include trafficking in fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine, possession for the purpose of trafficking, and firearms-related offences.

At the time of Mutneja’s arrest, he was also on bail for six counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and a firearm offence connected to a previous investigation.

Abbotsford police drug officers have been targeting groups linked to the multi-jurisdiction gang conflict, specifically those dealing in fentanyl and carfentanil.

“The safety risks to those involved with — or even associated to — people in the gang lifestyle are real,” said Sgt. Vic Gamboa in a statement. “It’s really sad to see young people being drawn into these violent conflicts.”

Anyone with information about the ongoing gang activity across the Lower Mainland or who may be concerned about a friend or family member becoming involved is asked to contact the Abbotsford Police Department’s gang task force at 604-864-4777.

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