It stands out like a sore thumb — the pink and purple paint splatters against the gun metal grey.

Police have begun seeing a new trend on Vancouver streets: gang members with custom paint jobs for their firearms.

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“Apparently it’s something that’s in vogue to show off amongst the gang community… apparently it’s a status symbol,” Vancouver police Superintendent Mike Porteous said at a press conference in August announcing a significant seizure of drugs and firearms.

The gun, which was one of eight seized as part of Project Tariff — a five-month-long investigation that also led to the seizure of more than two kilograms of heroin, fentanyl and fentanyl analogues — had a factory-issued paint job, which is also becoming more popular as gun manufacturers cater to an increasing number of female customers.

Project Tariff was launched in March to investigate the activities of the Heer/Dhillon/Samra crime group. In addition to the seizure of drugs and guns, four known gang associates were arrested and are facing numerous charges.

Sgt. Keiron McConnell with VPD’s gang unit said the practice is more popular in other countries, but officers have started seeing custom painted guns here.

“It’s not as much of a phenomenon here as it is in other places,” he said. “Our gangsters are often influenced by the media.”

Members of Mexican cartels often have gold-plated guns.

“The firearm has always been a status symbol for gangsters in B.C. because they’re harder to get,” McConnell said.

jkerr@vancourier.com

This story has been edited since it was originally posted.