Michael Donald Amy, 34, of Abbotsford has been identified as the victim of a homicide in Surrey on Friday, Feb. 27.
Surrey RCMP attended the scene just before 10 a.m. that day after reports were received of a deceased man in a vehicle in the 9500 block of 139 Street.
The initial investigation determined the circumstances were suspicious, at which point IHIT was called in.
IHIT spokesperson Sgt. Stephanie Ashton said police believe this was a targeted act, although they have not released the cause of death.
Amy has been identified on social media as the brother of Edward "Skeeter" Russell of Surrey, who was among seven men sentenced in March 2011 in connection to a massive drug-smuggling scheme that trafficked thousands of pounds of marijuana and cocaine across the U.S.-Canada border.
Russell, then 34, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $10,000 fine.
The ring moved drugs into the U.S. in PVC pipe, hollowed-out logs, woods chips and hidden compartments in tractor trailer rigs.
A total of 54 people were charged and sentenced in separate proceedings. This included Devron Quast and Jody York of Abbotsford, who received jail terms of 75 months and 59 months respectively.
The leader of the operation, Rob Shannon of Abbotsford, was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Amy has a limited criminal record, which includes convictions for mischief, driving while prohibited and possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition.
Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to call the IHIT tipline at 1-877-555-IHIT (4448), email ihittipline@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or phone Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.