Pubdate: Sat, 08 Aug 2009 Source: Guardian, The (CN PI) Page: 3 Copyright: 2009 The Guardian, Charlottetown Guardian Group Incorporated Contact: http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/174 Author: Wayne Thibodeau Referenced: 2009 Report on Organized Crime in Canada: http://www.cisc.gc.ca/annual_reports/annual_report_2009/frontpage_2009_e.html ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE MOST PRESSING CRIME THREAT FACING ISLANDERS Law Enforcement Report Cites Illicit Drugs A Primary Criminal Market Spreading Across P.E.I., Canada The 'Gentle Island' may be its theme, but Prince Edward Island is not immune to organized crime, says the commanding officer of the RCMP in the province. Randy Robar made the comments on Friday as law enforcement agencies from the Criminal Intelligence Service of Canada released the 2009 Report on Organized Crime in Canada during a news conference in Charlottetown. The illegal drug trade continues to be the primary concern for law enforcement agencies across P.E.I. "The variety of drugs now available in the market have made the illicit drug trade the most pressing organized crime threat identified in the province at this time," Robar said. "The local drug market has evolved in recent years from a predominantly marihuana- and cocaine-based market to a more diverse mix including prescription and synthetic drugs." Illicit drugs continues to be the primary criminal market not only in Prince Edward Island but also across Canada, according to the 42-page report. That's both in terms of estimated revenue and the number of participating organized crime groups. Criminal groups operating at all levels of capability and scope distribute these drugs across the country, the report adds. RCMP Commissioner William Elliott, who was also in Charlottetown Friday, said the majority of Canadians have no direct involvement in organized crime but it impacts on all Canadians. "Organized crime not only threatens our safety, it can undermine our health and our economic well-being," said Elliott, who was flanked at the news conference by leaders of police agencies from across Canada. "I think it is important to understand that organized crime continues to lie behind many of the most serious criminal threats that exist today." The Criminal Intelligence Service has identified about 750 criminal groups in 2009. Those criminal groups are involved in a wide array of crime from contraband tobacco, environmental crime and financial crime to illicit drugs, illicit firearms, and intellectual property rights crime. In Prince Edward Island, while illicit drugs might be police agency's main concern it is not their only concern. There are concerns about illicit tobacco, drug trade, and what the RCMP describes as precursor crimes to the drug trade, which include break, enter and thefts. In 2009, P.E.I. launched its first Criminal Intelligence Service Bureau at a cost of $320,000 annually. Up until that time, the province was the only jurisdiction in Canada without a bureau. The bureau focuses on criminal intelligence activities in the province, and provides guidance in the collection, analysis and production of intelligence. There are now 10 provincial bureaus. The Central Bureau in Ottawa is responsible for the production of threat assessment and other strategic intelligence products on organized and serious crime in Canada. While law enforcement is actively engaged in combating organized crime, they say the public also has an important role to play. "Innocent members of society are routinely impacted by organized crime both directly and indirectly," said Robar. "Information provided by the public is critical in helping law enforcement agencies keep our communities safe." Illicit Drugs facts Illicit drugs continue to be the primary criminal market in Canada in terms of estimated revenue and the number of participating organized crime groups, according to the 2009 Report on Organized Crime released in Charlottetown on Friday. Below is an overview of how these substances are positioned in the marketplace. - - Cocaine: Cocaine continues to be a major illicit drug imported to Canada and has become an attractive option for organized crime. The US 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; - - Heroin: In Canada, consumer demand for heroin remains low but consistent in comparison with demand for other illicit drugs; - - Marihuana: The market for marihuana is one of the most significant illicit drug markets, both globally and in Canada. The domestic market is almost entirely supplied by Canadian-produced cannabis, mainly from BC, Ontario and Quebec; - - Pharmaceutical Opiates: The illicit distribution of these drugs is a small but persistent market, particularly in Ontario and Atlantic Canada; - - Synthetics: Canadian-produced ecstasy supplies the domestic market and Canada remains one of the top producers of ecstasy to the global illicit drug market. Sophisticated organized crime groups in Canada continue to conduct large-scale production and distribution operations; - - Methamphetamine: Domestic use has shown no increase, production has risen to meet expanding international demands. SOURCE: 2009 Report on Organized Crime. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom