Pubdate: Sat, 23 Aug 2003 Source: Guelph Mercury (CN ON) Copyright: 2003 Guelph Mercury Newspapers Limited Contact: http://www.guelphmercury.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1418 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?188 (Outlaw Bikers) CRIME GROUPS EXTEND REACH, PROMPTING NEW TURF WARS HALIFAX - Organized crime groups are extending their reach across Canada by merging with other outlaw gangs, using more sophisticated technology to conduct fraud and expanding lucrative marijuana grow operations, says a new intelligence report. Mobs and bike gangs continue to rank as the most active criminal organizations as they move into high-tech money-laundering pursuits and increase their involvement in illicit marijuana cultivation, says the document prepared by Criminal Intelligence Service Canada. "The highest level of criminal organizations are involved in this and there are huge amounts of money being made," RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli said Friday after releasing the report in Halifax. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom