A known gang member with ties to Ontario was found and arrested in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Christopher Cineus, 31, was convicted in Ontario on 10 different charges after an Ottawa Police Service investigation in 2020 but fled before he could be sentenced.
Police believe he has been "operating" in the Downtown Eastside for more than a year and they worked to obtain a Canada-wide warrant in the spring.
A drug investigation by Vancouver police officers in March 2024 resulted in Cineus being charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Cineus is a "Zone 43" gang member and was wanted Canada-wide for drug and firearm offences.
On April 30, Vancouver police officers arrested him on the 10 outstanding Ontario charges.
Cineus is facing charges of:
- Possession of a firearm obtained by crime
- Careless handling of a firearm
- Possession of a loaded firearm
- Possession of a restricted firearm without a license or registration
- Possession of a restricted weapon
- Possession of a firearm while prohibited
- Altering a serial number on a firearm
- Possession of cannabis for selling
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking x 3
- Fail to appear in court
Vancouver Police Department’s Metro Team and Task Force Barrage worked with Ottawa Police and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada to arrest Cineus.
He has since been escorted back to Ontario during the May 3 weekend and remains in custody.
Zone 43 is an organized crime group originally from Quebec, and members established operations in Vancouver.
