Men who terrorized vulnerable women sentenced for crimes in Downtown Eastside

VANCOUVER – Two violent drug dealers who terrorized vulnerable women in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside have been sentenced for their crimes.

Vancouver Police say 33-year-old Nolan Swallow of New Westminster has received an eight-year sentence for conspiracy to traffic and a two-year sentence for participating in a criminal organization.

Thirty-two-year-old Lemar McCann, also of New Westminster, has been handed a six-year sentence for conspiracy to traffic and a one-year sentence for his role in a criminal organization.

In January 2011, police announced several arrests as part of a partnership with the SisterWatch project, which aims to keep women in the Downtown Eastside safe.

Sgt. Randy Fincham says investigators from various areas of the police department targeted predators who were suspected of preying on the area’s most vulnerable residents — addicts, the ill and women.

The gangs and drugs squad, major crimes investigators and beat officers were part of the team.