NCJ Number
200583
Date Published
2001
Length
53 pages
Annotation
This 2001 Annual Report of Criminal Intelligence Service Canada presents information on organized crime trends and activities in Canada, including two successful investigations of outlaw motorcycle gangs that highlight the importance of intelligence-led policing that involves law enforcement agencies working cooperatively and strategically.
Abstract
The information presented in this report is classified as "open source" information, which is defined as "information which is unclassified and publicly available, including government, academic or corporate publications and databases, all forms of media, and Internet sources." The information compiled for this report focuses on regional and national trends in organized crime, criminal activities, and important law enforcement investigations and significant convictions. The information has been verified through intelligence and investigation reports from Canadian and international enforcement agencies received by Criminal Investigation Service Canada (CISC) throughout the year. The report indicates that Asian-based organized crime groups continue to be extensively involved in the trafficking of cocaine and marijuana, as well as in the importation and distribution of Southeast Asian heroin. East European-based organized crime groups are involved in sophisticated credit and debit card schemes and Internet frauds, the smuggling of stolen consumer goods, and other criminal activities, including drug importations. Traditional (Italian-based) organized crime groups continue to cultivate a low profile, but remain a principal force within Canada's organized crime milieu, as they are extensively involved in the importation and distribution of drugs and the facilitation of the laundering of crime proceeds. The Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gang remains the largest and most criminally active outlaw motorcycle gang (OMG) in the country. Although a public truce has been declared in the 6-year drug conflict between the Hells Angles and Rock Machine, sporadic violence between these gangs continues. There have been a number of convictions of OMG members across the country in the past year. These have included convictions for trafficking in cocaine, assault, kidnapping, violating anti-gang legislation, threats, and weapons offenses. The Quebec-based Operation Springtime 2001 and Operation Shadow in Alberta showed the importance of intelligence-led, cooperative policing in countering the criminal activities of OMGs. Other criminal activities of organized crime in Canada have involved Internet child pornography, the use of Canada's marine ports as a major conduit for contraband, the promotion of an illicit tobacco and alcohol market, and an illegal firearm market. A challenge for law enforcement has been organized crime's increasing use of the Internet in communicating with group members and committing crimes. 112 footnotes