Pubdate: Sat, 19 Aug 2006
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Rob Lamberti, Toronto Sun
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?188 (Outlaw Bikers)

GANGS ALL HERE

Report Says More Than 300 Street-Level Mobs Thriving In Canada

Thugs Infiltrating Suburbs, Cops Warn

Street gangs are young, deadly and spreading across the country.

In Toronto alone, there are 80 of them, according to the 2006 
Organized Crime Report for Canada.

The 300 street gangs in Canada have an estimated 11,000 members, most 
of them in major urban centres, according to the report released 
yesterday by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.

Toronto street gangs have distinct territories usually in low-income 
housing projects "that are subject to regular incidences of violence, 
often firearm-related," the report said, creating an oppressive and 
intimidating atmosphere.

While the gangs are predominantly based in the country's large urban 
centres, such as Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton, the report said, 
"cells within existing street gangs as well as emerging street gangs 
are now affecting many other urban centres, rural areas and 
aboriginal reserves."

Although street gangs were the focus of the report, it also 
highlighted the activities of all organized crime groups in Canada.

Rely On Violence

The report stated that street gangs are typically less sophisticated 
than other organized crime groups and rely on violence, often random 
and in public places, making them more of "direct and immediate 
threat to the public safety of Canadians than higher-level groups."

While the emphasis may have been on street gangs, the report found 
other forms of organized crime -- including bikers, and Italian and 
Asian groups -- remain at the top of the criminal pile.

Investigators are also discovering that they are becoming more 
multicultural, focusing on the criminal talents among members rather 
than their heritage.

"Just as Canada has become a more multicultural society, so too have 
many organized crime groups," the report stated. "Although cultural 
ties remain an influencing principle within the organized crime 
landscape, multi-ethnic groups can be based on the criminal 
capabilities of members."

Police say gangs have been coercing legitimate businesses into moving 
contraband and laundering cash.

The report cited the International Monetary Fund which estimates 
between $22 billion and $55 billion is laundered annually in Canada.

About 80% of the country's gangs are involved in the drug trade, most 
at the street level dealing, the report estimated, with a few groups 
involved in wholesale distribution, manufacturing, importing or cultivating.

Pot Most Popular

Marijuana is the most used and the most produced drug in Canada, much 
of it cultivated in grow operations.

Cocaine "continues to be in high demand" across the country, while 
describing crack as a niche product.

Cocaine is distributed by organized gangs such as "some Asian, 
Italian or independent criminal groups as well as several Hells 
Angels chapters," the report states.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman