

Currently released so far... 12404 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
ASEC
AE
AF
AM
AR
AJ
AU
AORC
AG
AEMR
AMGT
APER
AGMT
AL
AFIN
AO
AMED
ADCO
AS
ABUD
ABLD
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APECO
AID
AND
AMBASSADOR
AN
ARM
AY
AODE
AMG
ASCH
AMCHAMS
ARF
APCS
APEC
ASEAN
AGAO
ANET
ADPM
ACOA
ACABQ
AORL
AFFAIRS
ATRN
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ADANA
ASIG
AA
AX
AUC
AC
AECL
AADP
AGRICULTURE
AMEX
ACAO
ACBAQ
AQ
AORG
ADM
AINF
AIT
ASEX
AGR
AROC
ATFN
AFGHANISTAN
AFU
AER
ALOW
AZ
AVERY
BA
BY
BU
BR
BE
BL
BO
BK
BM
BILAT
BH
BEXP
BF
BTIO
BC
BBSR
BMGT
BTIU
BG
BWC
BB
BD
BX
BP
BRUSSELS
BN
BIDEN
BT
CW
CH
CF
CD
CV
CVIS
CM
CE
CA
CJAN
CLINTON
CIA
CU
CASC
CI
CO
CACM
CDB
CN
CMGT
CS
CG
CBW
CIS
CR
CONDOLEEZZA
CPAS
CAN
CWC
CY
COUNTER
CDG
CL
CT
CIC
CIDA
CSW
CHR
CB
CODEL
COUNTERTERRORISM
CTR
COM
CICTE
CFED
CJUS
CKGR
CBSA
CEUDA
CARSON
CONS
CITEL
CLMT
CROS
CITT
CAC
CVR
CDC
CAPC
COPUOS
CBC
CBE
CARICOM
COE
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CTM
CNARC
ECON
EFIN
ETRD
EUN
EFIS
EG
ETTC
EZ
EPET
EAID
EAGR
ENRG
ECUN
EU
ELAB
ECPS
EAIR
EINV
ELTN
EWWT
EIND
EMIN
EI
ECIN
ENVR
ELECTIONS
EINVEFIN
EN
ES
ER
EC
EUC
EINT
EINVETC
ENGR
ET
EK
ENIV
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ECONOMY
EAP
EFTA
EUR
EUMEM
EXIM
ERD
ENERG
EUREM
ESA
ERNG
EXTERNAL
EPA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
ECONOMICS
ELN
EINN
EFINECONCS
ENNP
EEPET
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ENVI
ETRO
ESENV
ECINECONCS
ECONOMIC
EAIDS
EDU
ETRA
ETRN
EFIM
EIAR
ETRC
EAIG
EXBS
EURN
ECIP
EREL
ECA
ENGY
ECONCS
ECONEFIN
ETC
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINDETRD
IR
IZ
IS
IAEA
INRB
IRAJ
IQ
IN
IT
IMO
INTERPOL
ICAO
IO
IC
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
ICTY
ID
IPR
IWC
ILC
INTELSAT
IL
IBRD
IMF
IA
IRC
ICRC
ILO
ITU
ITRA
IV
IDA
IAHRC
ICJ
ISRAELI
IRS
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
IZPREL
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITF
IBET
IEFIN
INR
IACI
INTERNAL
IDP
IGAD
IEA
ICTR
IIP
INRA
INRO
IF
KJUS
KSCA
KNNP
KU
KCOR
KCRM
KDEM
KTFN
KHLS
KPAL
KWBG
KACT
KGHG
KPAO
KTIA
KIRF
KWMN
KS
KG
KZ
KN
KMDR
KISL
KSPR
KHIV
KPRP
KAWK
KR
KUNR
KDRG
KCIP
KGCC
KTIP
KSUM
KPKO
KVIR
KAWC
KPIN
KGIC
KRAD
KIPR
KOLY
KCFE
KMCA
KE
KV
KICC
KNPP
KBCT
KSEP
KFRD
KFLU
KVPR
KOCI
KBIO
KSTH
KMPI
KCRS
KOMC
KTBT
KPLS
KIRC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFLO
KBTS
KSTC
KTDB
KFSC
KX
KFTFN
KNEI
KIDE
KREC
KMRS
KICA
KPAONZ
KCGC
KSAF
KRGY
KCMR
KRVC
KVRP
KSEO
KCOM
KAID
KTEX
KNUC
KNAR
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KLIG
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCRCM
KHDP
KGIT
KNSD
KOMS
KWMM
KPAI
KHSA
KTLA
KO
KMFO
KRCM
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KPWR
KID
KWNM
KRIM
KPOA
KCHG
KOM
KSCI
KFIN
KMOC
KESS
KWAC
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KPRV
KBTR
KERG
KTER
KDDG
KPAK
KRFD
KHUM
KDEV
KCFC
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KJUST
MARR
MOPS
MU
MTCRE
MNUC
MY
MASS
MCAP
MOPPS
MAR
MPOS
MO
ML
MR
MASC
MX
MD
MP
MA
MTRE
MIL
MCC
MZ
MK
MDC
MRCRE
MAPS
MV
MI
MEPN
MAPP
MEETINGS
MAS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTCR
MG
MC
MARAD
MIK
MILITARY
MEDIA
MEPI
MUCN
MEPP
MT
MERCOSUR
MW
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
NZ
NATO
NG
NI
NO
NATIONAL
NU
NPT
NIPP
NL
NPG
NS
NA
NGO
NP
NSG
NDP
NAFTA
NR
NC
NH
NE
NSF
NPA
NK
NSSP
NRR
NATOPREL
NSC
NT
NW
NORAD
NEW
NV
NSFO
NAR
NASA
NZUS
OTRA
OVIP
OPRC
OPDC
OSCE
OAS
ODIP
OIIP
OFDP
OVP
OREP
OFFICIALS
OSAC
OEXC
OPCW
OIE
OIC
OFDA
OSCI
OPIC
OBSP
OECD
ON
OCII
OHUM
OES
OCS
OMIG
OPAD
OTR
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PSOE
PINS
PARM
PK
PBTS
PEPR
PM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PREF
PBIO
PROP
PA
PSI
PINT
PO
PKFK
PL
PAK
PE
POLITICS
PINL
POL
PHSA
PU
PF
POV
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PARMS
PRGOV
PNAT
POLINT
PRAM
PMAR
PG
PAO
PROG
PRELP
PPA
PCUL
PSEPC
PSA
PREO
PAHO
PGIV
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POSTS
PTBS
PGOVLO
PORG
PGOVE
PLN
PINF
PAS
PUNE
POLICY
PDEM
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PHUMPGOV
PMIL
PNG
PP
PS
PHUH
PECON
POGOV
PY
PHUMPREL
PHUS
PRL
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
PEL
RS
RU
RW
REGION
RP
RICE
ROBERT
RSP
RUPREL
RM
RO
RCMP
RSO
RELATIONS
REACTION
REPORT
RIGHTS
ROOD
RF
RFE
RIGHTSPOLMIL
SP
SA
SY
SF
SYR
SENV
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SO
SU
SG
STEINBERG
SHUM
SW
SMIG
SR
SZ
SIPRS
SI
SAARC
SPCE
SARS
SN
SYRIA
SANC
SL
SCRS
SC
SENVKGHG
SAN
SNARCS
SHI
SWE
SNARIZ
SIPDIS
SEN
SNARN
SPCVIS
SEVN
SSA
SH
SOFA
SK
ST
TPHY
TU
TRGY
TI
TX
TS
TW
TC
TFIN
TD
TSPA
TH
TT
TIP
TBIO
TSPL
TZ
TERRORISM
TRSY
TN
THPY
TINT
TF
TL
TV
TK
TO
TP
TURKEY
TNGD
TBID
TAGS
TR
UP
US
UNSC
UK
UZ
UE
UNESCO
UV
UNGA
UN
UNMIK
UNO
UY
UAE
UNEP
UG
UNHCR
UNHRC
USUN
UNAUS
USTR
USNC
USOAS
UNCHR
UNCSD
UNDP
USEU
USPS
UNDC
UNDESCO
UNCHC
UNFICYP
UNC
UNODC
UNPUOS
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCHS
UNVIE
USAID
UNIDROIT
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 05VANCOUVER1470, ORGANIZED CRIME IN BC IS ON THE RISE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IS
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #05VANCOUVER1470.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
05VANCOUVER1470 | 2005-11-15 18:06 | 2011-04-28 00:12 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Consulate Vancouver |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 VANCOUVER 001470
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR WHA/CAN; INR; INL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KJUS SNAR SOCI
SUBJECT: ORGANIZED CRIME IN BC IS ON THE RISE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IS
STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The number of organized crime groups in BC
has more than doubled in the past two years, severely
challenging BC law enforcement and the judiciary. Almost every
global ethnic crime group known to law enforcement now has a
base in Vancouver. Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMG), or Hells
Angels, are the most dangerous crime groups in BC and sit at the
top of the hierarchy for marijuana smuggled into the U.S. and
for cocaine smuggled from the U.S. into Canada. Asian-based
organizations are involved in drug and human trafficking.
Indo-Canadian gangs often export marijuana to the U.S. and
engage in violent struggles that have claimed more than ten
lives just this year. East-European groups commit sophisticated
financial crimes like credit card fraud. However, most of the
province's criminal organizations operate independently of the
major criminal enterprises such as the Hell's Angels, thus
avoiding police attention by remaining autonomous of the more
notorious groups. The scope of organized crime in B.C. is so
large that law enforcement is incapable of monitoring the vast
majority of groups, and conditions in the province continue to
invite criminal organizations to take part in the lucrative
market. End Summary
The Most Notorious Groups
¶2. (SBU) As of June, there were 108 organized crime groups known
to be operating in B.C., more than double 2003 numbers. The
following is a summary, obtained from media, contacts, and a
June Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) report, of the five
main organized crime categories in the province-Outlaw
Motorcycle Gangs (OMG), Asian-based Organized Crime,
Indo-Canadian Organized Crime, East-European Organized Crime,
and Independent Organized Crime.
Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs
¶3. (SBU) The RCMP considers the Hells Angels and their OMG
associates the most dangerous criminal group in this province.
The Hells Angels control the cocaine trade, organized
extortions, and much of the sex trade. They are also heavily
involved in producing and exporting marijuana. Hells Angels
often use violent means, such as homicides, violent assaults,
extortions, and debt-collections, to carry out their business.
Canadian law enforcement has succeeded in charging or convicting
45 members and associates of that club in the past year. Until
recently, though, BC law enforcement had not been able to find
substantial evidence to prosecute Hells Angels because they tend
to remain in the background; they direct other individuals or
groups to carry out the crimes for them, making it much more
difficult for law enforcement to tie these crimes to the Hells
Angels.
¶4. (SBU) Consulate staff contacted the RCMP's Combined Forces
Special Enforcement Unit. An official explained that Hells
Angels play a leading role in cross-border cocaine and marijuana
trafficking. He said marijuana export groups are organized
hierarchically, with one or two club members supervising a group
of non-club members who finance and plan the drug's growth and
exportation. These non-club members, who may not know who is
above them in the hierarchy, are aligned with smuggling groups
that send marijuana to the U.S. and take cocaine back to Canada.
Hells Angels club members rarely step foot inside a grow-op or
handle the marijuana; they operate in a similar fashion in the
cocaine trade.
¶5. (SBU) Two years ago agencies across B.C. stepped up their
efforts to work together on tackling organized crime. The RCMP,
Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, and most municipal
forces in the Lower Mainland and Greater Victoria areas teamed
up with entities such as the Liquor Control and Licensing Board
and the Canadian Customs and Revenue Agency, leading to the
recent crack-down on Hells Angels. The Combined Forces Special
Enforcement Unit believes the recent crackdown will cause the
organization to draw back and refrain from normal business;
those who remain active will probably only associate with club
members and a few trusted associates until they feel safe again.
Others believe, however, that the recent law enforcement
success has not stopped the club from expanding and that there
are always more people waiting to join the club than are
arrested. Additionally, imprisoned leaders maintain
considerable influence. The RCMP believes that, despite this
fact, there are probably enough officials engaged in
investigations to sustain the multi-agency effort.
Asian-based Organized Crime
¶6. (SBU) Asian-based Organized Crime (AOC) includes domestic and
internationally-based organizations that use B.C.'s position as
North America's gateway to Asia to their advantage. AOC
organizations in B.C. control the sex trade and extortion within
the Asian community and are involved in drug importation,
marijuana production, violent and financial crimes, and
counterfeiting. Vietnamese groups are particularly successful
marijuana-growers. Chinese organizations dominate the heroin
trade. Much of B.C.'s methamphetamine is produced and
distributed by AOC organizations. US Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) reports that AOC groups are behind most human
trafficking in B.C., particularly Korean women trafficked to
Canada and often transported to the U.S. ICE, in partnership
with the Canadian Border Services Agency's immigration and
intelligence sections and RCMP border integrity, have identified
some of the main players in the human trafficking industry and
say that various trafficking groups in the U.S. and Canada
associate together, not in a hierarchical structure, but as
different enterprises trading for financial gain.
¶7. (SBU) Consulate staff met with an official of the Vancouver
Police Department, who expounded on Asian crime practices,
saying the groups vary among ethnic lines, use cultural tenets
to their advantage, and are always changing. For instance, once
law enforcement believe they know how a group operates, that
group changes "like a chameleon." Unlike the mafia, AOC is not
centered on a hierarchical structure. Criminal enterprises form
to carry out a specific conspiracy, then dissolve once the job
is finished. Asian criminal enterprises work together solely to
earn money, they rarely focus on a single commodity, and their
group structure allows one leader to preside over a network of
various crimes.
Indo-Canadian Organized Crime
¶8. (SBU) Indo-Canadian Organized Crime (ICOC) draws from the
Lower Mainland's South Asian community and is associated with
street level drug trafficking, exporting marijuana (particularly
to the U.S.), and violent murders which have claimed almost 90
lives in the past 15 years and more than 10 in the past year in
the Lower Mainland. The Vancouver Sun reports that many of
those killed in Indo-Canadian struggles are gang leaders or
members. ICOC is an increasingly dangerous lifestyle; however,
many young Indo-Canadian males, despite the dangers associated
with it, are drawn into the "fast life" with its promises of
fast money, cars, and possessions.
East-European Organized Crime
¶9. (SBU) East-European Organized Crime (EEOC) groups in B.C. are
lower-profile, but not less damaging, than the others. They
typically engage in sophisticated, high-value financial crimes,
such as identity theft, card fraud, money laundering, and
immigration-related crimes. A VPD officer informed Consulate
staff that, unlike traditional organized crime groups with names
and hierarchical structures, EEOC groups form when experts in
various areas come together to pull off a crime, following which
the groups are disbanded and members disperse to join schemes
elsewhere. Like AOC, EEOC is a global society that changes
faces so frequently that it leaves law enforcement far behind.
The officer explained that these organizations are very skilled
at not drawing attention to themselves. If their vehicle has
been searched or they think they are being followed, these
criminals will literally search their entire car for police
bugs. They are very patient and have even been known to desist
from a plot when they feel at risk of being detected. In such
cases, though, they always have another plan, as each
organization is capable of carrying out several different plots.
These groups are perhaps the boldest of all in dealing with
authority-the VPD officer we contacted said that some gangsters
under investigation have been known to phone police officers
asking why they are being investigated. Linguistic barriers,
the sophisticated nature of their crimes, and the domestic and
international mobility of actors make it hard for police to
investigat EEOC roups
ndepenen Organzed Crime
¶10. (SBU) Independent Organized Crime (INDP). The greatest
numbers of organized crime groups are local, independent
organizations frequently associated with regional drug networks
and violent and financial crimes. ICE staff told us that these
groups also carry-out human trafficking schemes of Canadian
women, sometimes to Las Vegas or New York. An RCMP Combined
Forces Special Enforcement Unit official told us that many of
these groups do business with the Hells Angels, while remaining
autonomous. This provides them access to profitable business
while avoiding the special attention police give to Hells
Angels. INDP groups are very successful in the province,
profiting from their lucrative crime schemes while essentially
operating under the radar screen of the police much of the time.
Conclusion and Comment
¶11. (SBU) The province has not had much success combating
organized crime, and future prospects do not look brighter.
Nobody knows the true extent of organized crime in the province,
as the sophisticated organizations make it their business not to
be discovered. Even when police know about a group and its
activities, they lack the manpower to properly investigate and
prosecute the group and, as reported, many of the groups are
adept at changing their structure and fleeing when they feel
that police are on to their schemes. RCMP estimate that all of
B.C.'s law enforcement combined will only be able investigate 30
groups, leaving 78 groups or 72% of the province's known
criminal organizations unaccounted for.
¶12. (SBU) A VPD official explained to Consulate staff that BC is
a natural draw for organized crime. He indicated that Canada's
single criminal code, while more functional in other provinces,
does not work well in B.C. Strong ethnic communities have
created a "victim's mentality" for many ethnic organized crime
members which often translates into weak penalties for the
severity of the crime. As a result, law enforcement is less
willing to make arrests and prosecute crimes because the weak
jail sentences do not make their time and resource investments
worth pursuing - only a small percentage of grow op busts
actually result in jail time for example. The official further
noted that Vancouver has become one of the top 15 cities in the
world for organized crime, and is almost unique in North
America, housing almost every kind of organized crime. He
expressed appreciation for the U.S. agencies that cooperate with
VPD, saying that the US has been more successful in bringing
these criminals to justice than Canada has.
LUKENS