Convicted kidnapper Randy Naicker admitted to the National Parole Board Monday that he founded the Independent Soldiers

Convicted kidnapper Randy Naicker admitted to the National Parole Board Monday that he founded the Independent Soldiers.But Naicker claimed it was only a clothing company he started back in 2004 and not the notorious gang known to police for drug trafficking and violence.Naicker, who police believe was directly involved in the gang, told board members Bent Andersen and Gord McRae that his brand was ruined when violent thugs ripped off his trademarked logo and began reproducing it themselves.And while he admitted to his own share of violence — including threatening to kill a man out of “loyalty” to his drug trafficking pals — Naicker said he has put that life behind him.The board granted Naicker day parole with the condition that he not associate with anyone involved in gangs “including the Independent Soldiers,” Andersen said.He said while the board was somewhat skeptical about Naicker’s professed reformation, he had an unblemished prison record, he had taken all the recommended courses and had a very detailed community plan.“We are left with some doubts about the level of your involvement in that particular organization,” Andersen said, adding there was “a bit of a security risk.”“We are prepared to grant you day parole for a period of six months.”Jail officials recommended that Naicker be released on day parole, saying he had shown “exemplary” conduct while at Mission Institution and Ferndale.But the board was told about intelligence from a “reliable source” that Naicker “was heavily involved in the institutional drug trade” and had “insulated himself from apprehension and has other gang members participate in gang activity within Mission Institution for him.”Naicker denied the allegation and his lawyer Michael Jackson said it would be unfair to use it against his client since there had been no disciplinary action and Naicker had in fact been transferred to a minimum-security jail despite the suspicion.Naicker was convicted of the 2005 kidnapping and unlawful confinement of Happy Singh after $400,000 worth of pot went missing and two gangland associates were murdered.Naicker was sentenced to five years behind bars, but was eligible for day parole in August 2008 and full parole last February.While out on bail awaiting an appeal of his conviction in December 2006, Naicker was arrested with Jamie Bacon, Dennis Karbovanec and other members of the Red Scorpions and Independent Soldiers’ gang at Abbotsford’s Castle Fun Park.Patrons had noticed some of the men wearing body armour and called police. Some of those arrested were charged. Naicker had his bail revoked for a week, but was released again on Dec. 20, 2006. He began his sentence in July 2007.Both Bacon and Karbovanec were later charged with murder in the October 2007 slayings of six people at a Surrey highrise.Naicker wore a brown sweater and khaki pants to his two-hour hearing at Mission’s Ferndale Institution.He claimed that he had just a small role in one of the kidnappings that sent associate Roman Narwal to jail for 17 years.Naicker said he just stopped by a friend’s Burnaby condo in January 2005 without knowing his friend — Roman — Harp Narwal and Nash Bagri were holding Singh against his will and pressuring him to pay up for the missing dope.When he got a read on the situation, Naicker said he stepped in and threatened Singh to stress the importance of the problem.“I was being aggressive with him,” Naicker said. “I made threats to him and his family.”He denied being a major player in the drug gang, but said he did have the connections to facilitate drug deals if he had chosen to do so.The board asked him about another assault conviction dating back to high school, where he beat up a teen who insulted his girlfriend. A later extortion charge was stayed.Andersen said Naicker had a history of using violence to get his way — something the offender admitted and said he now recognizes through counselling.Naicker denied ever being in a gang, though acknowledged many close friends “in the criminal world.”He said he will now steer clear of all of them.Andersen asked why his own girlfriend told corrections officials she feared for Naicker’s safety if released because of his “gang” past.



Naicker said there was never a gang — “I think it was more that they worked together as a team.”

He said he patented the Independent Soldiers clothing line and produced some samples that ended up in gangsters’ hands. Other gang members calling themselves IS have produced their own clothes in Kelowna, he said, adding he sent them legal letters warning of copyright infringement.He said the tattoo on his chest is his patented design and not a gang insignia. The Vancouver Sun obtained a photo of Naicker with his tattoo exposed, sharing a drink with Hells Angel full-patch member Larry Amero.
“I completely disagree with the violence that is going on,” Naicker said. “I do know some of these individuals. We did do some garments for them.”He said he would not continue with his clothing line when out on parole because of all the bad publicity the Independent Soldiers has gotten.“I see there is a risk right now,” Naicker said.