ASIAN-BASED CRIME MAJOR THREAT

Asian-based organized crime shows no sign of relenting in Calgary or
across the country, according to a report focusing on organized crime
in Canada.

The report, released Friday by Criminal Intelligence Service Canada,
indicates Asian-based organized crime is "highly active" in the city,
as well as in Edmonton, Toronto and B.C.'s Lower Mainland.

Insp. Brian Skeet of the city's organized crime control unit said
these criminals continue to be a significant concern to Calgary police
because they appear to control most of the local cocaine trafficking
and marijuana grow operations.

Skeet said these markets all have saturation points. "As different
players come into the picture looking for a share of that market,
sometimes that leads to conflict. And conflict sometimes leads to violence."

Across the country, Asian-based organized crime poses a major threat
because it has highly sophisticated operations and supplies illicit
drugs to other organized crime groups, the report says.

The report is based on information sent in from law enforcement
agencies across the country. It outlines organized crime groups' activities.

While the Hells Angels remain the largest and most powerful outlaw
motorcycle gang in the country, their influence in Alberta appears to
be on the decline, the report indicates.

Skeet said Calgary police are keeping a close eye on the Bandidos,
which started a probationary chapter of their motorcycle gang in
Alberta earlier this year.

Some probationary members in Calgary joined the chapter just last
month.

During the probationary period, members are allowed to wear certain
parts of gang colours while they establish their worth to the club,
said Skeet.

Part of the initiation process may include criminal activity, he added.

"One of the things they try to do in this probationary period is
determine whether or not the person trying to establish themselves in
the club is a police officer undercover or someone acting on behalf of
the police," said Skeet.

Skeet said it's too early to tell what the impact of the probationary
chapter will be, but police are wary because of the history between
the Bandidos and Hells Angels. "We have our eyes to the horizon on the
Bandidos situation because of past conflict in other jurisdictions in
Canada between the Bandidos and the Hells Angels."