

Currently released so far... 12553 / 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
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
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 Niamey
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 Sapporo
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
APECO
ASEC
AMGT
AFIN
APER
ACABQ
AORC
AEMR
AF
AE
AR
AGMT
AU
AY
ABLD
AS
AG
AJ
APCS
AX
AM
AMEX
ATRN
ADM
AMED
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AL
ASUP
AND
ARM
ASEAN
AFFAIRS
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AODE
APEC
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AO
ABUD
AC
ADPM
ADCO
ASIG
ARF
AUC
ASEX
AGAO
AA
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AIT
AADP
ASCH
AORL
AROC
ACOA
ANET
AID
AMCHAMS
AINF
AMG
AFU
AN
ALOW
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ACS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AGR
BEXP
BR
BM
BG
BL
BA
BTIO
BO
BP
BC
BILAT
BK
BU
BD
BRUSSELS
BB
BF
BBSR
BIDEN
BX
BE
BH
BT
BY
BMGT
BWC
BTIU
BN
CA
CASC
CFED
CO
CH
CS
CU
CE
CI
CM
CMGT
CJAN
COM
CG
CIS
CVIS
CR
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTER
CIA
CLINTON
CY
CPAS
CD
CBW
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CDG
CW
CODEL
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
COE
CN
CARICOM
CB
CONDOLEEZZA
CWC
CACS
CSW
CIDA
CIC
CITT
CONS
CL
CACM
CDB
CDC
CAN
CF
CJUS
CTM
CBSA
CARSON
CT
CLMT
CBC
CEUDA
CV
COPUOS
CTR
CROS
CAPC
CAC
CNARC
CICTE
CBE
ECON
ETRD
EIND
ENRG
EC
ELAB
EAGR
EAID
EFIS
EFIN
EINV
EUN
EG
EPET
EAIR
EU
ELTN
EWWT
ECIN
ERD
EI
ETTC
EUR
EN
EZ
ETC
ENVI
EMIN
ET
ENVR
ER
ECPS
EINT
EAP
ES
ENIV
ECONOMY
EXTERNAL
EINN
EFTA
ECONOMIC
EPA
EXBS
ECA
ELN
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENGR
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
ELECTIONS
EIAR
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
ENERG
EFIM
EAIDS
EK
ETRDECONWTOCS
EINVETC
ECONCS
EUNCH
ESA
ECINECONCS
EUREM
ESENV
EFINECONCS
ETRC
ENNP
EAIG
EXIM
EEPET
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
ERNG
ETRO
ETRN
EINVEFIN
ICTY
IN
IS
IR
IC
IZ
IA
INTERPOL
IAEA
IT
IMO
IO
IV
ID
IRAQI
IEA
INRB
IL
IWC
ITU
ICAO
ISRAELI
ICRC
IIP
IMF
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
ILO
IPR
IQ
IRS
IAHRC
IZPREL
IRAJ
IDP
ILC
ITF
ICJ
IF
ITPHUM
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
IACI
IBET
ITRA
INR
IRC
IDA
ICTR
IGAD
INRA
INRO
IEFIN
INTELSAT
INTERNAL
INDO
ITPGOV
KWMN
KSCA
KDEM
KTFN
KIPR
KCRM
KPAL
KE
KPAO
KPKO
KS
KN
KISL
KFRD
KJUS
KIRF
KFLO
KG
KTIP
KTER
KRCM
KTIA
KGHG
KIRC
KU
KPRP
KMCA
KMPI
KSEO
KNNP
KZ
KNEI
KCOR
KOMC
KCFC
KSTC
KMDR
KFLU
KSAF
KSEP
KSAC
KR
KGIC
KSUM
KWBG
KCIP
KDRG
KOLY
KAWC
KCHG
KHDP
KRVC
KBIO
KAWK
KGCC
KHLS
KBCT
KPLS
KREL
KCFE
KMFO
KV
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KVPR
KTDB
KSPR
KIDE
KVRP
KTEX
KBTR
KTRD
KICC
KCOM
KO
KLIG
KDEMAF
KMRS
KRAD
KOCI
KSTH
KUNR
KNSD
KGIT
KFSC
KHIV
KPAI
KICA
KACT
KHUM
KREC
KSEC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCMR
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KNAR
KNUC
KPWR
KENV
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KPRV
KOM
KBTS
KCRS
KNPP
KWNM
KRFD
KVIR
KTBT
KAID
KRIM
KDDG
KRGY
KHSA
KWMM
KMOC
KSCI
KPAK
KX
KPAONZ
KCGC
KID
KPOA
KIFR
KFIN
KWAC
KOMS
KCRCM
KNUP
KMIG
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KJUST
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MX
MCAP
MO
MR
MI
MD
MK
MA
MP
MY
MTCRE
MOPPS
MASC
MIL
MTS
MLS
MILI
MAR
MU
MEPN
MAPP
MTCR
MEPI
MZ
MEETINGS
MG
MW
MAS
MT
MCC
MIK
ML
MARAD
MV
MERCOSUR
MTRE
MPOS
MEPP
MILITARY
MDC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MRCRE
MAPS
MEDIA
MASSMNUC
MC
NZ
NZUS
NL
NU
NATO
NP
NO
NIPP
NE
NH
NR
NA
NPT
NI
NSF
NG
NSG
NAFTA
NC
NDP
NEW
NRR
NATIONAL
NT
NS
NASA
NAR
NV
NORAD
NSSP
NK
NPA
NGO
NSC
NATOPREL
NW
NPG
NSFO
OPDC
OTRA
OIIP
OREP
OVIP
OSCE
OEXC
OIE
OPRC
OAS
OPIC
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFFICIALS
OECD
OSCI
OBSP
OFDA
OPCW
ODIP
OFDP
OES
OPAD
OCII
OHUM
OVP
ON
OIC
OCS
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PINR
PTER
PARM
PREF
PM
PE
PINS
PK
PHSA
PBTS
PRGOV
PA
PORG
PP
PS
PGOF
PL
PO
PARMS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PAK
POL
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PBIO
PINF
PNG
PMIL
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PAO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PTBS
PCUL
PROP
PNAT
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PROG
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
PGOC
PY
PCI
PLN
PDOV
PREO
PGIV
PHUH
PAS
PU
POGOV
PF
PINL
POV
PAHO
PRL
PG
PRAM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLICY
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGGV
PHUS
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PEL
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PBT
PTERE
RS
RU
RW
RM
RO
RP
REGION
RSP
RF
RICE
RCMP
RFE
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
RUPREL
RELATIONS
ROOD
REACTION
RSO
REPORT
SENV
SNAR
SCUL
SR
SC
SOCI
SMIG
SI
SP
SU
SO
SW
SY
SA
SZ
SAN
SF
SN
STEINBERG
SG
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SAARC
SL
SEVN
SARS
SIPRS
SHUM
SANC
SWE
SHI
SYR
SNARCS
SPCE
SYRIA
SEN
SH
SCRS
SENVKGHG
TRGY
TSPL
TPHY
TSPA
TBIO
TI
TW
THPY
TX
TU
TS
TZ
TC
TH
TT
TIP
TO
TERRORISM
TRSY
TINT
TN
TURKEY
TBID
TL
TV
TNGD
TD
TF
TP
TFIN
TAGS
TK
TR
UNSC
UK
UNGA
UN
US
UNHRC
UG
UP
UNMIK
UNHCR
UE
USTR
UNVIE
UAE
UZ
UY
UNO
UNESCO
USEU
USOAS
UV
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNEP
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNDP
UNPUOS
UNC
UNAUS
USUN
UNCHC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCSD
UNDC
USNC
USPS
USAID
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 18:13 | 2011-04-28 00:00 | 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