NCJ Number
202468
Date Published
2003
Length
47 pages
Annotation
This document provides an overview of mandated organized crime groups and their activities as well as information on selected serious crime issues.
Abstract
The information is based on information, intelligence, and investigative reports from Canadian and international law enforcement agencies. Five broad organized groups are currently being monitored: Aboriginal-based, Asian-based, Eastern European-based, outlaw motorcycle gangs, and Traditional (Italian-based). While conflicts do develop between crime groups over illicit market share, increasingly temporary alliances are created between crime groups to pool resources necessary for the success of specific criminal ventures. Aboriginal-based gangs are involved in street-level trafficking of marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine as well as other criminal activities. They support other organized crime groups, such as the HELLS ANGELS and Asian-based organized crime groups. Asian-based organized crime is highly mobile, culturally and linguistically diverse, and largely composed of loosely-knit networks. They continue to associate with other organized crime groups nationally and internationally, particularly in the United States and Southeast Asia. They are entrepreneurial and often involved in multiple criminal activities simultaneously. They remain involved in illicit drug importation, production and trafficking, credit/payment card fraud, illegal gaming, casino loansharking, prostitution and operating massage parlors, money laundering, and migrant smuggling. Eastern European-based organized crime is based in Southern Ontario and has been reported in most other provinces. They engage in a broad spectrum of criminal activities but have the ability to plan and carry out sophisticated frauds. The most powerful Traditional (Italian-based) organized crime groups either directly or indirectly exploit criminal activities across the country. They continue to increase their wealth and influence through illicit drug importation/distribution, money laundering, and illegal gaming/bookmaking and subsequent investment of illicit profits in illegitimate businesses. The HELLS ANGELS, OUTLAWS, and BANDIDOS are the three most influential outlaw motorcycle gangs in Canada. Outlaw motorcycle gangs remain a serious criminal threat and continue to be involved in an array of criminal activities, such as murder, drug trafficking, prostitution, illegal gambling, extortion, intimidation, fraud, and theft. 3 footnotes