Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs 2002 Across the country, there have been several incidents of intimidation by OMGs and their affiliates against victims, witnesses and law enforcement. Violence continues in Québec between the HELLS ANGELS and BANDIDOS over the protection and expansion of drug trafficking networks. There have also been several violent incidents between the OUTLAWS and HELLS ANGELS in Ontario. OMGs, particularly the HELLS ANGELS, continue to form and maintain associations with street gangs Across the country, OMGs, particularly the HELLS ANGELS, are engaged in money laundering, intimidation, assaults, attempted murder, murder, fraud, theft, counterfeiting, extortion, prostitution, escort agencies/strip clubs, after-hours clubs (selling alcohol illegally), telemarketing and the possessing and trafficking of illegal weapons, stolen goods and contraband. The HELLS ANGELS remain the largest and most criminally active OMG in the country with 35 full chapters, one prospect chapter and one hang around chapter. Members of the HELLS ANGELS continue to be extensively involved in the importation and trafficking of cocaine, the cultivation and exportation of high-grade marihuana and, to a lesser extent, the production and trafficking of methamphetamine, and the trafficking of ecstasy and other illicit synthetic drugs. OMGs in Canada continue to be involved in violence, ranging from intimidation and assault to attempted murder and murder. Incidents of violence between the HELLS ANGELS and BANDIDOS continue. Several high-profile cases of intimidation against victims of crime, witnesses and law enforcement across the country demonstrate the extent to which the gang will attempt to protect its members from law enforcement The HELLS ANGELS have seven chapters in British Columbia: East End, Haney, Nanaimo, Vancouver, White Rock, Mission City and a NOMADS chapter.40 The RENEGADES remain the HELLS ANGELS only puppet club in the province.41The B.C. HELLS ANGELS continue to be extensively involved in the importation and trafficking of cocaine and the cultivation and trafficking of hydroponically-grown marihuana. In a 16-month joint forces operation related to the 2001 Calgary-based Operation SHADOW, which investigated the HELLS ANGELS Calgary chapter, B.C. police targeted the HELLS ANGELS ‘involvement in methamphetamine and ecstasy pill production and trafficking. Police shut down seven methamphetamine labs in a trafficking operation which had connections in Calgary, Kelowna, Vancouver and areas in the Fraser Valley.42A HELLS ANGELS associate was found guilty of threatening a prosecutor after two members of the HELLS ANGELS East-End chapter were found guilty of trafficking cocaine.43The HELLS ANGELS continue to be criminally active at marine ports throughout B.C., particularly on the Lower Mainland. Their influence at ports enables the gang, often in conjunction with other criminal organizations, to smuggle contraband into and out of Canada. Incidents of intimidation against law enforcement at the marine ports has been recorded.44B.C. HELLS ANGELS have had an historical association with Traditional (Italian-based) organized crime families in eastern Canada and have developed significant criminal alliances. There are also indications of increased collaboration between some HELLS ANGELS and members of Asian-based organized crime groups.45There are three HELLS ANGELS chapters in Alberta: Edmonton, Calgary and a NOMADS chapter in Red Deer. As was shown in the 2001 Operation SHADOW, HELLS ANGELS in the province continue to be extensively involved in cultivating and trafficking marihuana and trafficking in cocaine, hashish and illicit synthetic drugs. While most of the members and associates arrested during Operation SHADOW are proceeding through the courts, some have pled guilty and have received sentences ranging up to 6 years in jail. The HELLS ANGELS in Saskatchewan maintain two chapters: Saskatoon and Regina, which was formed on December 31, 2001. The HELLS ANGELS has two puppet clubs, the FREEWHEELERS and the REGINA MEN’S CLUB. There has been an increase in the amount of cocaine and ecstasy in Saskatchewan, much of which comes from B.C. The HELLS ANGELS are a significant criminal presence in the province but other criminal groups are involved in drug trafficking.46OMG-related violence in Manitoba has increased sharply, concurrent with the formation of the HELLS ANGELS Winnipeg chapter. The HELLS ANGELS’ attempt to establish control over the local drug trade and to promote and protect the gang has resulted in a number of particularly violent incidents of intimidation against victims, witnesses and law enforcement in the province. During six weeks in June and July 2001, there were five drive-by shootings and two firebombing in Winnipeg. In order to insulate the gang, the HELLS ANGELS typically order their lower-level criminal associates, like the ZIG ZAG CREW and the aboriginal-based gang the MANITOBA WARRIORS, to perform acts of intimidation and violence. HELLS ANGELS members also allegedly perform violent acts – seven of the 10 members are before the courts for charges including uttering threats, assault, assaulting a police officer and attempted murder.47As incidents of intimidation in Québec have demonstrated, the often public nature of intimidation is intended to threaten anyone from reporting or testifying about organized criminal activities. in Winnipeg, one witness’ home was firebombed while another’s was fired upon with a shotgun. Former gang unit police officer has had her vehicle torched and her residence firebombed twice, once successfully. Three members of the ZIG ZAG CREW have been charged with arson in connection with the torching of the officer’s van.48The HELLS ANGELS and associates continued to display their colours in court in an attempt to intimidate potential witnesses, police officers and members of the justice system. In response to these incidents of intimidation, the provincial justice department implemented policies to protect witnesses at risk who testify against organized crime groups.49The Winnipeg HELLS ANGELS chapter has become increasingly active in the importation and distribution of drugs in Manitoba, particularly cocaine and marihuana, but also other drugs such as ecstasy. In March 2002, after a nine-month investigation, police closed a "cocaine storefront “operation connected to the HELLS ANGELS.50The HELLS ANGELS continue to be involved in distributing drugs within correctional institutions in Manitoba, involving the corruption of government employees. In March 2002, three employees at the medium-security Stony Mountain Institution, north of Winnipeg, were allegedly involved in delivering drugs to an incarcerated ZIG ZAG CREW member. The HELLS ANGELS have 14 full chapters and one prospect chapter in Ontario, while chelandion formed two full chapters on December 1, 2001. The OUTLAWS have 10 chapters. All three gangs, the HELLS ANGELS, are increasingly joining alliances with numerous street gangs. These gangs perform the same lower-level criminal activities and security duties as puppet clubs. In Ontario, there are continued tensions, occasionally escalating into violence, between the HELLSANGELS and OUTLAWS and between the HELLS ANGELS and the BANDIDOS, and all three gangs’ puppet clubs and affiliated street gangs. The HELLS ANGELS, after expanding rapidly into Ontario in December 2000, remain highly competitive in the province and have insisted members of the OUTLAWS, BANDIDOS and other gangs join the HELLS ANGELS as puppet club members or voluntarily disband. Some OUTLAWS quit the gang, joining the HELLS ANGELS, while other members wanted to stay or join the BANDIDOS.52The Ontario NOMADS chapter allegedly responded to the BANDIDOS’ refusal to disband and its continued expansion into HELLS ANGELS’ territory by targeting BANDIDOS members in Kingston and Montréal. The BANDIDOS targeted the HELLS ANGELS in retaliation. The hit squads, composed primarily of prospects and associates, have been responsible for several incidents of violence in Ontario and Québec.53 One alleged hitman, a Rockers associate, accompanied by Rockers member, was stopped by police for a routine traffic violation. The alleged hitman opened fire on the police and was killed in the return fire.54The HELLS ANGELS continue to promote the gang publicly. A number of public venues have implemented or are considering implementing bans on gang colours because of public safety. Some municipalities, such as Barrie and Kitchener, have instituted voluntary “No Gang Colours/No Gang Clothing” programs for local businesses. Unexpected and extra policing costs are becoming more common in order to properly monitor and police OMGs at public venues, particularly when rival gangs attend.55 Some members of the OUTLAWS and BANDIDOS were wearing protective body armour at a London motorcycle show.56OMGs in the province continue to be involved in large-scale theft. In the joint forces Project WOLF,149 charges were laid against 27 people associated to the BANDIDOS involved in hijacking and stealing cargo truckloads of merchandise. Drugs, weapons, and $3 million in stolen property was recovered. The gang had a complete distribution network to repackage and market products in order to disguise its origin. A number of innovative initiatives to combat OMGs in Ontario are being examined across the province. In April 2002, the Ontario provincial government enacted proceeds of crime legislation, titled, An Act to Provide Civil Remedies for Organized Crime and Other Unlawful Activities. Legislation to amend the Building Code Act to permit municipalities to pass by-laws prescribing standards for the use of fortifications, barricades and surveillance equipment on property is before the provincial legislative assembly. The bill is in response to concerns regarding outlaw motorcycle gang clubhouses. Québec passed similar legislation in 1997.58There are now seven HELLS ANGELS chapters in Québec: NOMADS, South, Sherbrooke, Montréal, Québec City, TroisRivières, and a new chapter, Estrin. HELLS ANGELS in the province control the ROCKERS, EVIL ONES, ROWDY CREW, DAMNERS, BLATNOIS, JOKERS and SATAN’S GUARDS puppet clubs and a number of affiliated street gangs. As well as controlling the DAMNERS in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, HELLS ANGELS in Québec also exert considerable influence over criminal activities throughout Atlantic Canada. There are two full BANDIDOS chapters in the province which also control a number of affiliated street gangs. Sporadic violence between the HELLS ANGELS and BANDIDOS continues in the province. From August 2001 to May 2002, there were seven murders, including one non-gang-affiliated person, seven attempted murders and one disappearance related to the gang violence. A teenager died when he was caught in cross-fire outside a bar. In another incident, an innocent man was killed when his car was confused with that of a BANDIDOS member.59There have been approximately 26 arsons in bars and clubs associated to the HELLS ANGELS in south-central Montréal. One person was killed and a number have been left injured or homeless. Individuals belonging or associated to the BANDIDOS have been arrested on charges relating to the arsons. The BANDIDOS were trying to take control of drug territory controlled by the HELLSANGELS after Operation SPRINGTIME 2001 which targeted the HELLS ANGELS in Québec and Atlantic Canada.60Initially handed fines, three former members of the EVIL ONES Granby chapter, HELLS ANGELS’ puppet club, were sentenced to between one to three months after the Québec Court of Appeal overturned their sentences. In January 2001, the EVIL ONES intimidated and threatened the families of three police officers who had entered a bar after a routine check. Thirty members of the EVIL ONES Granby and Outaouais chapters were present during the incident. Forty-eight of 49 members and associates of the HELLS ANGELS and affiliated puppet clubs arrested in Operation SPRINGTIME 2001 are before the courts or have pled guilty to various charges relating to money laundering and drugs. In addition, seventeen individuals are before the court facing charges of gangsterism, drug trafficking and conspiracy to murder rival drug-dealers in the ROCK MACHINE (now BANDIDOS). The trial is taking place in a new courthouse located next to the Bordeaux Jail where the accused are being held. Special security precautions have been taken to protect jurors and the defendants, who will sit behind floor-to-ceiling bulletproofglass.62 The second major trial from Operation SPRINGTIME 2001 will begin in September 2002.Fourteen individuals, including 10 NOMADS members, are each facing 13 counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder.63An influential member of the NOMADS in Québec was retried on charges of ordering the murder of two prison guards and the attempted murder of another in 1997. The highly-publicized trial revealed numerous details of the HELLS ANGELS’ drug trafficking network and other criminalactivities in Québec, the gang’s extensive use of intimidation and violence and the strict, hierarchalstructure of the gang. The member was found guilty of all three counts and will serve 25 years inprison before becoming eligible for parole.64 The NOMADS member is appealing his conviction.HELLS ANGELS in Québec continue to be extensively involved in the cultivation and trafficking ofmarihuana. In January 2002, police raided a new subdivision on Montréal’s North Shore, findinghydoponic marihuana grow operations at 17 of 80 houses. The operation is believed to be linkedto the ROCKERS North chapter. Eight thousand plants and a large quantity of hydroponicequipment were seized. The homes, largely unoccupied, were equipped with false basementwindows and contained props, such as children’s toys and trophies, so the homes would appearto be lived in.65Project AMIGO targeted the BANDIDOS in Ontario and Québec. In June 2002, the 15-monthoperation resulted in 62 arrest warrants charging members and associates with offences includingconspiracy to murder, gangsterism and trafficking in a variety of drugs (cocaine, heroin, ecstasy,marihuana and Viagra). The entire BANDIDOS Montréal chapter, along with half the BANDIDOSQuébec City chapter were arrested. The Kingston, Ontario-based national president of theBANDIDOS was also arrested. Twenty-six individuals named in the warrants were already behind. OMG activities in the Atlantic provinces continue to follow the national trend of violence and controlof drug production/importation and distribution. Eight men, including three BANDIDOS members,two KILLERBEEZ members and three BANDIDOS associates, were convicted of charges relatingto the assault and kidnapping of a man belonging to the DAMNERS, a puppet club to the HELLSANGELS Québec City chapter.67In Operation 4-H, a culmination of Operations JOHNNY and JACAMAR, police arrested 55members and associates of the HELLS ANGELS Québec City chapter and New BrunswickDAMNERS. Those arrested are facing charges of conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, ecstasy andmarihuana and charges of conspiracy to launder the proceeds of crime. The operation identifieda national drug network with drugs imported from B.C. and Québec into Atlantic Canada. Policeseized 70 kilograms of high-quality of cocaine, 35.5 kilograms of high-grade B.C. marihuana, 5,300hits of ecstasy and cash, including over $1 million in property.68The HELLS ANGELS Halifax chapter, the only chapter in Atlantic Canada, has influence over theHIGHLANDERS in Antigonish, Nova Scotia and the CHARLOTTETOWN HARLEY CLUB in PrinceEdward Island. The BACCHUS in New Brunswick is a HELLS ANGELS hangaround chapter. A successful operation against the HELLS ANGELS Halifax chapter indicates the gang’s extensiveinvolvement in drug trafficking. In Operation HAMMER, 20 individuals with ties to the HELLSANGELS Halifax chapter, including three members, were charged with drug trafficking and weaponand gang-related offences.69Although there is no resident OMG in Newfoundland and Labrador, the HELLS ANGELS Québecchapter continues to exert influence in the province’s sex and drug trades. 2003 The HELLS ANGELS, OUTLAWS and BANDIDOS are the three most influentialOMGs in Canada and have attracted significant police attention. The HELLS ANGELS are the most powerful OMG with 34 chapters across thecountry. They are international in scope with over 228 chapters worldwide and aninternational membership exceeding 3000. The organizational structure of theHELLS ANGELS enhances cooperation between chapters to facilitate criminalactivities such as the trafficking and distribution of illicit drugs. Within the lasttwo years, successful law enforcement actions have reduced the degree ofcriminal influence exerted by the HELLS ANGELS in Central and Atlantic Canada.However, despite suffering from a degree of organizational difficulty in theseregions, the HELLS ANGELS continue to attempt to operate and reconsolidate theirsphere of influence. The OUTLAWS are concentrated in Ontario with nine chapters. The BANDIDOShave no clubhouses in Canada, however maintain a small number of membersand probationary members in Ontario. Both the BANDIDOS and the OUTLAWShave been successfully targeted by law enforcement within the last year and as aresult are experiencing an organizational lull and are keeping a low profile.OMGs in Canada are increasing their technological abilities. Computers andthe Internet are being used to manage gang affairs and promote gang-relatedbusinesses and events on the web. These groups are also taking advantage ofemerging technology such as wireless devices and encryption protocols to protecttheir information and communications. One member of the HELLS ANGELS iscurrently considered the national webmaster as well as technical support andcontinues to build computer expertise. In addition to protecting their information,OMGs, particularly the HELLS ANGELS, use sophisticated security systems andvideo cameras to protect their clubhouse perimeters. Control over criminal networks and subordinates is maintained by intimidationand violence. The HELLS ANGELS use violence as a tool in orderto control their criminal networks and intimidate rivals. Intimidation of lawenforcement and potential witnesses have been carried out in order to disrupt ordelay judicial proceedings. To carry out criminal acts, OMGs will use puppetclubs such as street gangs and other lower-level OMGs in order to insulatethemselves from prosecution. There are indications, however, that puppet clubsare declining in number due to the difficulty to control them and successful lawenforcement action. In addition, certain puppet clubs are disassociatingthemselves from the more powerful OMGs in order to avoid the increasedcommitment and law enforcement attention such an association entails. OMG activity within Canada remains widespread; these groups are continuallyattempting to widen their influence. OMGs, particularly the HELLS ANGELSderive their financial income from various criminal activities across the countrysuch as prostitution and fraud. However, drug trafficking, most notably cocaineand marihuana, remains their primary source of income.Due to the vast illicit drug market demand and abundance of territory in BritishColumbia and the Prairies, OMGs appear to co-exist with other groups such asTraditional (Italian-based) and Asian-based organized crime. In B.C. the HELLSANGELS have seven chapters and are heavily involved in cocaine traffickingas well as marihuana cultivation. Some members of the HELLS ANGELS inB.C. have ties to Traditional (Italian-based) organized crime groups in B.C. andCentral Canada. The HELLS ANGELS in this province are also attempting tosanitize their image as they hold interests in several legitimate businesses.In Alberta, the HELLS ANGELS have three chapters. The NOMADS and Edmontonchapters are particularly involved in drug trafficking. The HELLS ANGELS in thisprovince are composed of former rival motorcycle clubs, and as a result oldallegiances and rivalries still exist, creating a degree of tension within thechapters. The HELLS ANGELS in Alberta do not have any extensive links withother criminal organizations in the province.The two HELLS ANGELS chapters in Saskatchewan continue to operateinterdependently, neither one rising as a dominant entity. In Manitoba, gang-related violence is increasing as criminal groups fight over the province’s drugtrade. The HELLS ANGELS are attempting to increase their sphere of influence inthis province using violence and intimidation of local drug traffickers.OMG demographics in Central and Atlantic Canada are changing as groupstargeted by law enforcement are weakened or disrupted. In Ontario, ProjectRETIRE, a three-year joint forces police operation targeting the OUTLAWS,concluded in September 2002 with the arrests of approximately 60 individuals, including 40 full-patch members as well as two U.S.-based members, theOUTLAWS’ U.S. national vice-president and the international president. RETIREalso concluded with the seizure of five OUTLAWS’ clubhouses in Ontario. Trialsstemming from these operations are ongoing. The OUTLAWS in Ontario arecurrently in disarray and their criminal influence is diminished. The HELLS ANGELS in Ontario were recently targeted in Operation SHIRLEA,a joint forces police operation in the greater Toronto area. In April 2003, thisoperation resulted in the arrest of 42 individuals, including 14 HELLS ANGELSfull-patch members from five chapters, two former members, three members ofthe RED LINE CREW puppet club and 23 associates.Project AMIGOS, targeting the BANDIDOS in Ontario and Quebec, ended inJune 2002. This operation concluded with the arrests of two Ontario-basedmembers and most of the Quebec BANDIDOS, virtually eliminating thecriminal influence of this group in both provinces. The HELLS ANGELS continueto be affected by the aftermath of Operation SPRINGTIME 2001. Megatrialsstemming from this operation are ongoing, and arrests are still being madein relation to this massive operation. Two prominent former HELLS ANGELSNOMADS’ members were arrested in April 2003, having been at large sinceevading the massive police sweep in the spring of 2001. They are currently facingcharges of murder, drug trafficking and gangsterism. The HELLS ANGELS in Quebec have undergone a significant organizational shiftin the last two years. Due to successful law enforcement actions, internal strifeand lack of leadership, many of the six HELLS ANGELS chapters in this provincelack the necessary active members and/or organizational capabilities to maintainthe scope of their criminal networks. In New Brunswick, the BACCHUS are criminally active and maintain a strongassociation with the HELLS ANGELS. In Nova Scotia, the HELLS ANGELS Halifaxchapter has also been weakened as four of its seven members are incarcerated, inaddition to their clubhouse being seized after Operation HAMMER in 2001. InNewfoundland and Labrador, despite their lack of physical presence, the HELLSANGELS continue to exert their criminal influence in this region throughassociates and/or local criminals. 2004 he HELLS ANGELS remains the largest and most powerful outlaw motorcyclegang (OMG) in Canada with 34 (of which two in Quebec are currentlyinactive) chapters across the country comprising approximately 500 members.The HELLS ANGELS in British Columbia and several chapters in Ontario andQuebec remain sophisticated and well-established. However, the HELLSANGELS is facing challenges throughout the rest of the country as a direct result of being successfully targeted by law enforcement, from internalconflict or from increased competition from other criminal organizations.The OUTLAWS and BANDIDOS have been maintaining a low profile sincelaw enforcement actions in 2002 significantly reduced their degree of threat.The OUTLAWS has seven chapters in Ontario, only three of which operatewith any degree of stability. The BANDIDOS has one full chapter in Ontarioand recently established a probationary chapter in Alberta. This probationarychapter may be an indication that the BANDIDOS, which has maintained alow profile in Canada since late 2002, may pose a challenge to the illicit drugactivities of the HELLS ANGELS in western Canada. OMGs, particularly the HELLS ANGELS, derive significant financial incomefrom various criminal activities across the country such as prostitution, fraudand extortion. However, drug trafficking, particularly cocaine, marihuana andincreasingly methamphetamine, remains the primary source of illicit incomefor OMGs. Their criminal activities can result in increased insurancepremiums, property crimes and financial losses to victims and businesses.Drug trafficking can result in street-level violence from disputes over territory,drug-debt collection and related property crimes committed to support illicitdrug addiction. So-called mega-trials of HELLS ANGELS in Manitoba andQuebec have resulted in a significant dedication of justice resources to long,complex trials involving multiple individuals and charges. In Quebec, thetrials, to date, have resulted in a 100 per cent conviction rate. The HELLS ANGELS in Canada has significant links to other organized crimegroups. For example, some HELLS ANGELS members in B.C., Ontario andQuebec have links to members of Traditional (Italian-based) organized crime.These criminal networks can be used to facilitate the importation/exportationof illicit commodities. The HELLS ANGELS’ criminal influence is growing in B.C. and Ontario;however, it is declining in Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec and Atlantic Canada.In some areas, the HELLS ANGELS is facing increased competition from otherorganized crime groups, such as Asian-based networks. In Edmonton, theBANDIDOS appears to be gaining support among local criminals. Thiscompetition has increasingly forced the HELLS ANGELS into cooperationwith other criminal organizations in the trafficking and distribution of illicitcommodities. As the HELLS ANGELS’ Halifax chapter was closed in 2003, itscriminal influence in Atlantic Canada was significantly reduced. While thereremains a smaller, lesssophisticated OMG presence in the region, it isunclear what criminal group(s) will emerge to dominate the illicit drug trade. Despite law enforcement successes in the last year, which resulted in thearrests of multiple individuals on charges of drug trafficking, vehicle theft,conspiracy and gangsterism, the HELLS ANGELS’ criminal infrastructure inOntario, and, to a lesser extent in Quebec, remains intact. The Ontario HELLSANGELS has enhanced its influence since law enforcement actions severelyweakened the OUTLAWS and BANDIDOS in 2002. The Quebec HELLSANGELS remain criminally active with four stable chapters. While theHELLS ANGELS’ criminal influence in Quebec is reduced, the arrest ofprominent members may present opportunities for lower-level groups,such as street gangs, to expand into activities formerly controlled by theHELLS ANGELS. Illegal Drugs 2008 Cocaine Cocaine remains one of the most signifi cant illicit drug markets as indicated by global production levels and Canadian seizure statistics. Cocaine is imported by organized crime groups directly from source countries, particularly Peru, or through transit countries such as the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, and Mexico. Inter-provincial distribution of cocaine is coordinated from B.C., Ontario, and Quebec, where it is sold at the wholesale level to criminal groups that subsequently sell it to retail distributors. Crack CocaineA derivative of cocaine, crack cocaine tends to be concentrated in urban centres across Canada. Due to the addictive nature and short-lived effects of crack, users frequently engage in low-level property crimes, robbery and crimes against persons, often creating pockets of cyclical crime. The majority of the criminal groups involved in crack cocaine are street gangs involved in retail distribution, primarily from street corners, crack houses, as well as dial-a-dope systems.Dial-a-dope refers to a system used by street level distributors to sell illicit drugs by responding to requests placed to a series of disposable cellular phones. Ecstasy Canada, the Netherlands and Belgium are the primary source countries of ecstasy to the global illicit drug trade. Canada continues to be a major producer for both domestic and international markets, exporting signifi cant quantities primarily to the US and to a lesser extent, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Substantial production of ecstasy has directly impacted the domestic market, resulting in a considerable decline in price since 2003. Moreover, the chemical profi le of ecstasy has shifted towards a cocktail composition that contains decreased quantities of MDMA, its primary active ingredient, and increased quantities of several chemical fi llers and substances, predominantly methamphetamine, as well as ketamine, ephedrine and caffeine. This trend poses a signifi cant risk for consumers as they are unaware of the chemical composition of the ecstasy tablet and its harmful effects. HeroinIn Canada, consumer demand for heroin remains low in comparison with demand for most other forms of drugs. As such, a limited number of organized crime groups, mainly in B.C. and Ontario, are involved in the heroin market, importing heroin primarily from Southwest Asia and Latin America. MarihuanaMarihuana remains one of the most traffi cked illicit drugs in Canada, with extensive organized crime involvement at all levels of production, distribution and exportation. Canada continues to be a source country for marihuana, meeting signifi cant domestic and US cross-border demand. B.C., Ontario and Quebec continue to be the primary hubs of production and distribution to domestic and US markets. Given the signifi cant demand for marihuana in the US, Canada meets a small proportion of their supply, particularly in comparison to quantities derived from US domestic production and Mexico. Methamphetamine Methamphetamine production in Canada has risen primarily to meet expanding international market consumption and to a lesser extent, limited domestic demand. The number of super labs in Canada indicates the capacity to produce signifi cant quantities for foreign distribution. In 2007, seizures of Canadian-produced methamphetamine were interdicted in Australia, Japan, New Zealand and to a lesser extent, China, Taiwan, India and Iran. The majority of the groups involved in the manufacture of methamphetamine are based in B.C.; however, the dismantlement of several super labs in Ontario and Quebec during the past year demonstrates the eastward movement of production hubs. Super labs have the capability of producing 5 kg or more of illicit synthetic drugs. OpiumIn 2007, the United Nations Offi ce on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported that Afghanistan reached record highs of opium production, accounting for 92% of global illicit opium production. As a result, opium seizures in Canada have increased signifi cantly in the past year; however, total seizures remain relatively low in comparison with other illicit drugs. The majority of opium is destined for a limited domestic market with a small number of organized crime groups involved in cross-border smuggling and distribution of opium to the US. Pharmaceutical OpiatesAccording to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), the abuse of pres-cription drugs is set to exceed consumption of illicit narcotics worldwide and Canadians are among the heaviest consumers of pharmaceutical opiates globally. Moreover, the fi ndings of a recent national study indicate that in many communities across Canada, heroin is being replaced with prescription drugs such as Oxycodone (e.g. OxyContin) and Hydromorphone (e.g. Dilaudid). Several organized crime groups, particularly in Atlantic Canada, are involved in the illicit retail distribution of prescription opiate drugs. 2010 CocaineCocaine remains one of the most significant illicit drug markets as indicated by global production levels and Canadian seizure statistics. Interprovincial distribution of cocaine is most often coordinated from B.C., Ontario, and Quebec, where it is imported and sold at the wholesale level to criminal groups that subsequently sell it to retail distributors. The U.S. is the primary transit country for cocaine entering Canada where it is typically smuggled through highway ports of entry concealed in commercial and personal vehicles. A common method for smuggling cocaine into Canada from the U.S. is secret compartments built into the refrigeration units of commercial vehicles. Crack cocaine, a smokeable form of cocaine, remains relatively concentrated in urban centres across Canada. Due to its addictive nature and short-lived effects, users frequently engage in low-level property crimes, robbery and crimes against persons, often creating pockets of cyclical crime. Street gangs are primarily involved in retail-level distribution of crack cocaine, mainly from street corners, crack houses, as well as dial-a-dope systems. HeroinIn Canada, the heroin market continues to be one of the smallest illicit drug markets in comparison to the demand for other illicit drugs. The heroin market has been partially replaced by the use of pharmaceutical opiates, particularly in Ontario and Atlantic Canada. A limited number of organized crime groups, mainly in B.C. and Ontario, are involved in importing heroin primarily from Southwest Asia and Latin America. Heroin enters Canada primarily through marine and air ports concealed either within commercial cargo or carried by individuals within their baggage or on their person. MarihuanaMarihuana remains one of the most trafficked illicit drugs in Canada, with extensive organized crime involvement at all levels of production, distribution, importation, and exportation. The domestic market for cannabis is almost entirely supplied by Canadian-produced marihuana. The drug is moved inter-provincially from three main production hubs in B.C., Ontario, and Quebec to meet domestic demand and to transport large quantities of marihuana to areas along the Canada-U.S. border for smuggling into American markets. Most exported Canadian marihuana is destined for the United States; however, it only accounts for a small percentage of total marihuana imported in the U.S. Criminals smuggle Canadian-produced marihuana into the U.S. in exchange for cocaine, firearms, and contraband tobacco. Recently, U.S. law enforcement has seen a decline in the number of marihuana seizures along the Canada-U.S. border. This can be attributed to many factors, including the movement of some Canadian organized crime group grow operations onto U.S. soil to avoid border detection MethamphetamineDomestic use of methamphetamine has stabilized; however, production has risen to meet expanding international market demands. ‘Super labs,’ capable of producing large amounts of methamphetamine, cater to international wholesale distributors with export to countries including Australia and New Zealand. Methamphetamine continues to be used in Canadian-produced ecstasy as it is cheaper to produce and increases the profit margin. Canada remains a transit country for the precursor chemicals used to produce methamphetamine with Canadiansourced pseudoephedrine discovered in some clandestine U.S. methamphetamine labs. EcstasyEcstasy is one of the primary illicit drug markets in Canada. Canada continues to export significant quantities to the U.S. and to a lesser extent, also supplies Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Precursor chemicals for the production of ecstasy are smuggled into Canada from source countries such as China and India on a regular basis. The chemical profile of ecstasy has shifted towards a cocktail composition that contains decreased quantities of MDMA, its primary active ingredient, and increased quantities of several chemical fillers and substances, predominantly methamphetamine, as well as ketamine, ephedrine and caffeine. The shortage of MDMA precursor chemicals presently affecting Europe is not currently affecting the illicit manufacture of ecstasy in Canada. 2005 The illicit drug industry in Canada provides organized crime with oneof its most financially lucrative criminal endeavours.There is very littleopportunity for individual criminal entrepreneurs to participatesubstantially in this illicit trade if they are not in some manner alignedwith, associated to, or supplied by a larger criminal group. As well, thevarious aspects of this illicit industry often require resources and expertisethat only organized crime groups can provide or have access to. InCanada, organized crime either directly controls or indirectly influencesall aspects of the illicit drug industry whether it be cultivation,manufacture, importation or distribution.In this year’s report, CISC will highlight certain illicit drugs that arecurrently in higher demand within the relatively small illicit drugconsumer population in Canada, including: marihuana, cocaine, heroinand the chemical-based substances of ecstasy and methamphetamine.These illicit drugs are available, to varying degrees, in all regions of Canada, with marihuana clearly the most widely abused illicit drugsubstance.The reasons for illicit drug usage varies by the drug and theindividual, but are diverse and sufficient enough to continually maintainan illicit consumer demand in Canada that can only be supplied throughcriminal means.Aside from significant quantities of marihuana and some syntheticchemical drugs, the bulk of illicit drugs consumed in Canada originatesabroad, and therefore must be smuggled into the country.This illegalmovement requires considerable planning and organizational capacitiesand available financial and human resources.Typically it is the moresophisticated organized crime groups in Canada who possess thenecessary international criminal contacts in source and transit countriesthat can carry out these conspiracies. Crime groups involved in thisinternational movement into Canada are varied. Cannabis Marihuana, hashish and liquid hashish are cannabis products, each withvarying degrees of consumer popularity in Canada. However, marihuanausage is much more widespread in all regions of Canada, while hashishand liquid hashish is less popular with a more narrow consumer base thatis mainly restricted to Eastern Canada. Consequently, this year’s reportwill only concentrate on marihuana.The Canadian marihuana market is supplied predominantly bydomestically cultivated products that is supplemented to some degree byquantities of marihuana smuggled into Canada from foreign sources suchas the Caribbean and Mexico. It is unclear precisely the quantityof marihuana grown in Canada but law enforcement is continuallydismantling grow operations of all sizes in every region of Canada.Initially in the middle 1990s, marihuana grow operations wereconcentrated mainly in British Columbia but these operations graduallyspread eastward through the prairie provinces to Ontario, Quebec andinto Atlantic Canada.The average marihuana grow operation will contain hundreds of plants;however, some operations may involve plants in the thousands. In oneinstance, a grow operation including 30,000 plants was discovered withina vacant industrial building near Barrie, Ontario.It appears that the HELLS ANGELS and a number of Vietnamese crimegroups are the predominant players in the Canadian marihuana growoperation industry. However, Italian organized crime groups have beenencountered as well as many semi-independent cultivators and smaller-“The fact of the matter is that B.C.’smarihuana grow industry is not reallyabout marihuana at all, it is aboutcocaine and the funding source for othertypes of crime. Police intelligenceindicates that the marihuana trade isdirectly responsible for cocainetrafficking, use and related violentcrime.”– RCMP Assistant Commissioner Gary Bass, Officer-in-Charge, CriminalOperations Branch “E” Division (British Columbia) CISC 2005 Annual Report on Organized Crime in Canada37scale operators.While a significant quantity of the marihuana cultivatedin Canada is actually destined for the United States’ market, this Canadiancontribution actually represents a small portion of the total U.S. illicitconsumption, as Mexico is currently their largest foreign supplier.HeroinHeroin is a highly addictive drug that, in Canada, is used by between25,000 to 50,000 addicts that reside mainly within urban centres,particularly Vancouver,Toronto and Montreal. It is estimated that betweenone or two tonnes of heroin is required annually to supply this illicitmarket. Over the last ten years, heroindestined for the Canadian market hastraditionally originated in Southeast Asia(Golden Triangle). However, increasingquantities of heroin from both Southwest Asia(Golden Crescent) and South America arebeing encountered by law enforcement.Southeast Asian traffickers are involved in themovement of heroin into Canada. As well,there are some Southwest Asian crime groupsinvolved in smuggling heroin to Canada.Heroin enters Canada primarily throughmarine and air ports concealed either withincommercial cargo or carried by individualswithin their baggage or on their person.CocaineMost cocaine consumed in Canada originatesfrom South America and travels to Canadaeither directly or through one or more transit countries.The Caribbean isa significant transit region for the smuggling of cocaine into Canada. Ofcocaine seized at Canadian points of entry, Jamaica and Haiti were themajor transit points identified, followed by other islands such as, St. Lucia,St. Martin and Curaçao. Cocaine transiting the Caribbean enters Canadathrough international airports, particularly Toronto’s Pearson Internationaland Montreal’s Pierre Elliot Trudeau, concealed within luggage orcommercial cargo. As well, cocaine is moved into Canada throughcommercial and private marine vessels.There is a wide range of crime groups involved in the movement ofcocaine into Canada including South American-based drug traffickingorganizations, as well as Italian and Caribbean crime groups and outlawmotorcycle gangs in Canada. As well, there are independent andunaligned criminal organizations who are also involved in large-scaleCRIMINAL MARKETSAmajor cocaine smuggling organizationwas disrupted in September 2004 bynumerous arrests as a result of a successful jointforces investigation under the name ProjectCALVETTE.This crime organizationsupplied large quantities of cocaine to associatesand various other organized crime groupsoperating in Quebec, Ontario and BritishColumbia.The arrest of four Quebec residentsand the seizure of 750 kilograms of cocainefrom a sailboat was linked to this organizationas was the seizure of 12 kilograms of cocainein April 2004 at Sept-Iles, Québec linked to acargo ship from Venezuela. CISC 2005 Annual Report on Organized Crime in Canada38smuggling operations and who either have their own domesticdistribution networks and/or may sell their contraband to otherorganized crime groups.South American cocaine bound for the Canadian criminal market alsooften transits through the United States. Cocaine smuggled from theUnited States is often acquired at distribution centres in southwesternstates and subsequently moved through Canadian land border points inBritish Columbia and Southern Ontario. Commercial vehicles areparticularly favoured as means of cross-border transportation.Synthetic chemical drugs Synthetic drugs include a wide variety of chemically based illicit drugsbut for the purposes of this report CISC will concentrate on MDMA(Ecstasy) and methamphetamine.The rave phenomenon and club drugscene in the 1990s became to some degree associated to ecstasyconsumption and trafficking and while still popular, consumption ratesappear to be on the decline in Canada. However, methamphetamine, achemical that achieved some level of popularity during the 1970s, has re-emerged and its consumption level is once again on the increasein Canada.MDMA/EcstasyMDMA (3,4methylenedioxymethamphetamine), or ecstasy, wasdeveloped in Germany in the early 20th century as an appetitesuppressant but its current illicit attraction is based upon its hallucinogeniceffects that allegedly heighten one’s senses and lessens one’s inhibition. Itspopularity with the rave culture also rests on its stimulant properties thatenables users to continue dancing for hours at all-night clubs.Western Europe continues to be a major source of the ecstasy, in eithertablet or powder form, available in Canada. It is smuggled into Canadabya variety of groups originating from Europe and the Caribbean,through the use of the postal service, couriers aboard commercial flights,airfreight shipments, and marine containers. Market demand is also beingmet by domestic producers using sophisticated synthetic tableting labs.Methamphetamine Methamphetamine use is on the increase in many parts of the country,but primarily in Western Canada.The bulk of this methamphetamine ismanufactured domestically in Canada in small clandestine laboratories,though larger operations capable of producing 4.54 kg or more in oneproduction cycle have been encountered occasionally. Given thatpseudoephedrine (PSE), an essential ingredient in the manufactureof methamphetamine, is available in over the counter medications“The recent arrest and charges of localcrack cocaine dealers and their suppliersfrom Calgary proves the existence of alink to, and, support from organized crimein that larger centre. Any communitywhere illegal drugs are available mustcombat organized crime. Medicine Hat isnow considered a franchise area forsuch dealings.”– Chief Norm Boucher,Medicine Hat Police Service CISC 2005 Annual Report on Organized Crime in Canada39(in pharmacies and over the Internet) several provincial governments havetaken steps to limit their availability. Organized crime groups involved inthe illicit methamphetamine industry include outlaw motorcycle gangs,specific Asian crime groups, and independent organized crime groups.Negative Socio-economic EffectsThe overall impacts of the illicit drug trade are varied and substantiveaffecting individuals and their communities.While many of these negativeeffects may be difficult to quantify, their harm is real and substantive. Ingeneral terms, the illicit drug trade has impacts on a user’s health; bringsabout additional medical costs; demands greater law enforcementresources; and may incite conflict and violence between users andorganized crime groups; in addition to negatively affectingfamily and friends. Moreover, in order to feed their habits, addicts cancommit a number of petty and serious crimes such as robbery and assault,break-and-enters, the sale of stolen property and prostitution.Each illicit drug has a combination of side effects that bring about bothaphysical and psychological dependence. A tolerance can be developedfrom addictive drugs, such as methamphetamine, that may force the userto acquire larger doses and/or use with greater frequency in attempts toexperience what they believed were the positive effects of the drug.Injected drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, may enhance the risk ofvarious blood-borne infections (eg. HIV/AIDS; hepatitis B and C),scarred or collapsed veins, infection of the heart lining and valves,abscesses, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and liver and kidney disease. Althoughecstasy is not known to create physical dependency, health-related sideeffects including dehydration or hyperthermia have occurred while usingthe drug at raves and dances, leading to death due to kidney failure andheart attack.Health risks are heightened due to the unpredictability of ingredientswithin illicit drugs. As a result, consumers do not always know the actualcontents of the illicit drug they have purchased nor the purity level of thedrug.Their intended drug purchase could be laced with other illicit drugsand/or chemicals or contaminated by fungi or moulds. An unknown drugcombination can cause serious adverse affects, including death. Aside fromthese medical problems, illicit drug users can also encounter serious legalproblems, such as a criminal sentence and subsequent record, which couldaffect their future employment and travel opportunities.The manufacturing of illicit drugs, specifically synthetic drugs andmarihuana, pose threats to public safety and to law enforcement and thehealth services sector, as well as certain environmental risks. For instance,the chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine arehazardous with some being highly volatile and at risk to ignite orCRIMINAL MARKETS CISC 2005 Annual Report on Organized Crime in Canada40explode if mixed or stored improperly. Any resultant fire or explosionnot only harms the individuals involved with at the laboratory but alsothe neighbouring area, its inhabitants and visitors.Exposure to the toxic chemicals used in the manufacture ofmethamphetamine could cause intoxication, dizziness, nausea,disorientation, lack of coordination, pulmonary edema, serious respiratoryproblems, severe chemical burns, and damage to internal organs.Methamphetamine production also threatens the environment as atypical laboratory may produce 2.3 kg to 3.2 kg of toxic waste forevery one pound of methamphetamine produced.The improper disposalof this toxic waste could cause contamination of the soil and any nearbywater supplies.Marihuana grow operations pose a number of health and safety risks tothe occupants of the residences in which cultivation occurs, to theirneighbours and surrounding community.The health risks are linked tothe increased fire hazard these grow houses represent to themselves andtheir neighbours. A recent study of grow operations in B.C. concludedthat a fire was 24 times more likely to occur in a grow house than in anordinary dwelling largely because of the unsafe electrical diversions orbypasses many grow operators use to circumvent utility meters in orderto steal electricity.They are also linked to the moulds which result fromthe intense humidity and chemicals used in indoor marihuana growoperations. Homes that have housed grow operations often require greateffort and expense to rid them of the moulds and other residues whichwould otherwise make them unsafe to live in.In terms of safety risks, neighbours and grow house operators run the riskof being victimized in a “grow rip”, which occur when a rival group orindividuals violently steal a mature crop. Grow rips can entail assaults,kidnappings and the use of weapons including firearms. Safety issues arealso linked to the occasional use of booby traps by grow house operatorsseeking to protect themselves from potential thieves. Human Trafficking 2006 Canada continues to be a destination andtransit country for smuggled and traffickedindividuals, with some people forced into labour or sexually exploited inenvironments such as private clubs andmassage parlours. However, the scope ofthese criminal activities in Canada is a smallpercentage of the international (or even theNorth American) criminal market. Vehicle TheftApproximately 170,000 vehicles are stoleneach year in Canada, with Toronto andMontreal being major source locations.According to the Insurance Bureau ofCanada, the current rate of recovery of stolenvehicles is approximately 70% nationally. A significant number of unrecovered vehicles(especially newer luxury models) are typicallysmuggled by criminal groups to foreignmarkets concealed in containers and movedthrough the marine ports of Vancouver,Montreal and Halifax. Other vehicle theftschemes of note include stripping vehicles ofparts for re-sale and exporting leased vehiclesafter declaring them stolen.Criminal Markets19According to the United NationsConvention Against TransnationalOrganized Crime, human smuggling refersto the facilitation of illegal entry of aperson into a country for financial gain.In contrast, human trafficking involvesthe displacement of an individual bymeans of coercion, deceit or violence for the purpose of exploitation. 2007 Individuals smuggled into Canada bypass immigration laws and processes, and may have serious criminal records, posing a potential threat to public safety. Alternatively, traffi cked women are often forced into the sex trade to work off debts or fees (e.g. for being smuggled and for housing) typically in the tens of thousands of dollars. The victims suffer physical and mental abuse including sexual assault, torture, starvation, servitude and death threats. There can also be signifi cant health and social effects on Canadian society as victims often acquire, and can transmit, sexually transmitted and infectious diseases while working in the sex trade. 2008 Organized crime groups are actively involved in human smuggling operations in Canada, facilitating the movement of illegal migrants from several transit points domestically and internationally. Most human smuggling activity takes place at border crossings in B.C. and Quebec, and to a lesser extent, Ontario. Despite activity in both north- and south-bound directions, there is a signifi cant increase in illegal north-bound migration from the US into Canada. A small number of organized crime groups, mostly based in B.C. and Quebec, are involved in the facilitation of international TIP. Conversely, several street gangs are active within the domestic TIP market for the purposes of sexual exploitation. These groups facilitate the recruitment, control, movement and exploitation of Canadian-born females in the domestic sex trade, primarily in strip bars in several cities across the country. 2005 Migrant smuggling and the trafficking in persons are criminal activities inwhich organized crime has become involved internationally. The extentof organized crime’s involvement in these criminal activities in Canadaare proactively monitored by law enforcement.Trafficking in persons andmigrant smuggling are sources of significant profit, and help to strengthenand expand the capacities of criminal organizations internationally.Thedistinction between migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons is animportant one, as smuggling implies consent while the latter impliescoercion. According to the United Nations Convention AgainstTransnational Organized Crime, migrant smuggling refers to thefacilitation of illegal entry of a person into a country for financial gain.The trafficking in persons, on the other hand, involves the displacementof an individual by means of coercion, deceit or violence for the purposeof exploitation. Frequently, this involves the sexual exploitation of womenand children, but also includes men and women trafficked for the purposeof forced labour or other services in debt bondage.Although they represent very different offences, there are many parallelsbetween illegal migrant smuggling and trafficking, such as theinternational displacement of individuals and their illegal entry into acountry.There are also additional elements to the smuggling of illegalmigrants that impacts on law enforcement’s ability to detect anddetermine the extent of the trafficking in persons.The smuggling andtrafficking of individuals operate simultaneously. As a result, it is possiblethat within the same illegal movement, there are both smuggled andtrafficked individuals. Moreover, since a number of potential traffickedvictims are entering or transiting to the U.S., it is difficult for lawenforcement to determine whether intercepted individuals were destinedfor commercial exploitation. The smuggling of individuals across borders for the purpose of illegalmigration or trafficking requires the ability and capacity to coordinate thetransportation of these individuals. As a result, the criminal organizationsinvolved are generally highly sophisticated. Some of these organizedcrime groups in Canada have the ability to coordinate the transportationof individuals from source countries to their final destination. Othergroups or sub-groups within a larger criminal network specialize in oneelement, whether that be to organize the transportation of individualsacross the border to the U.S., or in the acquisition of false or stolendocuments, including passports and visas. Such specializations allow someorganized crime groups to undertake contracts for their smugglingservices on behalf of other groups.Thus, one shipment can entail a mixof individuals from various originating countries and ethnicities. Forexample, a smuggler was arrested in January 2005 trying to smuggleChinese nationals and an Albanian into the U.S. through a train tunnel,linking Ontario to Michigan. In another incident last August, a Chineseand a Pakistani national were detained after they had been assistedcrossing into the U.S. on a freight train from Canada. Many illegalmigrants enter Canada intending to remain here, while others are intransit to the U.S. Smuggling fees paid by some migrants to arrive inCanada have ranged from approximately US$20,000-$50,000 per person.While some criminal organizations in Canada specialize in migrantsmuggling, some are also involved in the smuggling of other commodities,particularly illicit drugs such as cocaine and marihuana, firearms andcurrency. Moreover, some of these groups possess the technical skills tomanufacture and/or have access to counterfeit documents or falsifygenuine documents to facilitate the transportation phase of thesmuggling operation.Although significant media attention was focused on large numbers ofindividuals entering the west coast of Canada on ships in the summerof 1999, information indicates that most individuals illegally enteringthe country come by air and over land by car, train or on foot over aland border area. Individuals are smuggled to the U.S. at border areasacross the country, but are particularly concentrated in Ontario andBritish Columbia.Primarily a transit and destination country, persons are smuggled intoCanada for the purpose of forced labour and sexual exploitation. For themost part, trafficked victims transiting Canada are destined for the U.S.The trafficking of persons may also occur within Canada across provinces.Historically, Asian and Eastern European organized crime groups inCanada have been most involved in the trafficking of women fromcountries such as China, South Korea,Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, Russia and from the region of Latin America.Worldwide,profits generated by human trafficking are reported to compete withsignificant other criminal markets, such as the illicit trade in drugs andfirearms. In April 2005, the first person to be charged in Canada withhuman trafficking occurred in British Columbia. Migrant smuggling and the trafficking in persons present health and safetyrisks.Traded as commodities frequently without regard to their safety orwell-being, trafficked individuals are displaced from their homes and oftenheld involuntarily, usually through the use of threat of violence towardsthemselves and/or their family.Trafficking in persons is increasinglyviewed as a violation of human rights.Should the market for trafficked victims increase in Canada or thedemand increase in the U.S., then the numbers of victims requiring helpfrom governmental and social services will expand.Trafficking in personsmay also be associated with an increase in violence between criminalorganizations vying for a portion of this lucrative market.The illegal entry of migrants into Canada threatens the integrity ofthe formal immigration process. Illegal migration has an impact onimmigrants arriving legally into the country, as the costs associated withdeportation and immigration hearings divert resources away from thosearriving through legitimate processes.The integrity of citizenshipdocuments are also undermined as counterfeit and falsified documentsare frequently used, particularly passports and visas. Furthermore, since anumber of individuals arriving in Canada illegally are actually in transit tothe U.S., a significant increase in the number of migrants smuggled ortrafficking victims to the U.S. could place additional strain on lawenforcement resources in both countries.Internationally, organized crime makes use of legitimate businesses duringtheir smuggling and trafficking operations, typically in the transportationand travel industry, in order to avail themselves of such services or tooperate them.The international movement of individuals across borders,whether with illegal migrants or trafficked victims, can be facilitated byco-opted employees connected to the transportation and travel industries.These methods of operation challenge law enforcement as they provide aseemingly legitimate cover used by the majority of people that travelinternationally on a daily basis.Like most organized criminal activity, there are associated impacts to thetrafficking in persons and migrant smuggling. Since the smuggling routesand methods of transportation can be used for any type of commodity,criminal groups will take advantage of these resources to expand their trafficking activities to include for example, illicit drugs. Increased profitsfrom illegal migrants and trafficking activities, in addition to thesmuggling and trafficking of other commodities, helps to expand thecapacities and operational scope of criminal organizations.