Pubdate: Sat, 08 Aug 2009
Source: Packet & Times (CN ON)
Page: 7
Copyright: 2009 Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.orilliapacket.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2397
Author: Rob Lamberti
Referenced: 2009 Report on Organized Crime in Canada:
http://www.cisc.gc.ca/annual_reports/annual_report_2009/frontpage_2009_e.html

DRUGS, SMOKES AND FRAUD

Organized crime in Canada boasts a long list of specialities -- many 
potentially deadly but all aimed at raking in cash, mostly from drugs.

The 2009 annual report on the state of organized crime in Canada 
released yesterday at the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police in 
Charlottetown, P. E. I., states the approximately 750 gangs continue 
to focus on drugs and have made Canada a major producer and exporter 
of ecstasy and marijuana.

While the report highlights a few legal successes against organized 
crime groups, including the Hells Angels in Quebec and Ontario, it 
also indicates underworld markets are thriving.

"Contraband tobacco in Canada is primarily supplied by organized 
crime groups based in Quebec and Ontario," the report states in its highlights.

"Its manufacturing largely occurs on aboriginal reserves in Quebec 
and Ontario as well as some northern U. S. reserves where it is 
smuggled into Canada."

Fraud remains lucrative, the report states.

Groups are focused on making fake birth certificates, driver's 
licences, health cards, social insurance number cards and passports.

The report notes in August, 2008, the Canada Revenue Agency alerted 
taxpayers about a scam where letters asking for personal information 
were fraudulently identified as coming from the federal body.

The scam moved onto the Internet last March with emails requesting 
banking and passport information to update records and process refund claims.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom