By Trend News Line 2024-07-03 08:05:01.
Canadian Ex-Soldier Pleads Guilty in Murder of Gangster Jimi Sandhu in Phuket
A Canadian ex-soldier, Matthew Dupre, has pleaded guilty to his involvement in the murder of Canadian gangster Jimi Sandhu in Phuket back in February 2022. The guilty plea was entered on the first day of Dupre’s trial at the Criminal Court in Bangkok on June 27, as reported by the Vancouver Sun.
Targeted Hit at Beachfront Resort
Dupre confessed to his role in the dramatic targeted hit that took place at a beachfront resort on the southern holiday island of Phuket. The fatal shooting of Jimi “Slice” Sandhu by two foreign men was captured on security video outside the Beachfront Hotel on Rawai Beach on the night of Feb 4, 2022. Sandhu, a known member of the United Nations gang in Vancouver, was staying in a private waterfront villa beside the hotel at the time of the incident.
Background of the Deceased
Jimi Sandhu, 32, was originally from Abbotsford, Canada, but had been deported to India in 2016 due to serious criminal activities. Despite his deportation, Sandhu continued to travel in and out of Phuket since 2016. He was wanted in India for drug trafficking and had recently been banned from Malaysia. Thai authorities suspected his involvement in drug trafficking throughout Southeast Asia.
Events Leading to the Murder
Sandhu had rented the villa where he met his tragic end in November 2021 but had left Phuket around Christmas of the same year. He was spotted at a New Year’s Eve party at a luxurious hotel in Bangkok before returning to Phuket in late January 2022, just days before his untimely death.
Investigation and Arrest
Upon investigation, it was discovered that Dupre and another individual, Gene Lahrkamp, arrived in Phuket together in December 2021. Both men returned to Canada shortly after the murder and were identified as suspects in the case. Canadian authorities suspected the slaying was linked to a gangland feud in British Columbia and conducted searches at the homes of the suspects.
Extradition and Legal Proceedings
Matthew Dupre was arrested in February 2022 by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at his home in Sylvan Lake. Lahrkamp, the second suspect, remained at large but tragically died in a plane crash in Ontario in April 2022. Dupre agreed to be extradited to Thailand in May 2023 and has been in custody in Bangkok since then. Thai authorities agreed to waive the death penalty in order to facilitate the extradition process.
Military Background of the Accused
Both Dupre and Lahrkamp had served in the Canadian Armed Forces as corporals. Dupre served from 2005 to 2013, while Lahrkamp served from 2012 to 2018. Dupre later worked as a private military contractor in Syria and Iraq, where he claimed to have been involved in battles against ISIS. His LinkedIn profile lists skills such as hand-to-hand combat, unconventional warfare, and sharpshooting.
In a shocking turn of events, a former soldier has admitted to his involvement in the murder of a notorious gangster in Phuket, shedding light on a case that spans international borders and involves complex criminal ties..
– Canadian gangster in Phuket
– Pleads guilty in murder case.