CRIMINAL GANGS STILL ENDANGER CANADIANS

RCMP Calls On Citizens To Fight 'very, Very Serious' Threat Of Organized Crime

VANCOUVER - Gangs continue to threaten communities across Canada, dealing
in drugs, prostitution, gun running and other lucrative illegal activities,
says a report released yesterday by Criminal Intelligence Service Canada.

But aside from the usual trade in drugs and guns, the smuggling of people,
especially women and children, by organized criminal gangs is increasing
since Canada remains an attractive place for illegal migrants, the head of
the RCMP said.

Giuliano Zaccardelli, the RCMP's Commissioner, said the drama of boats full
of Chinese migrants landing on Canada's shores may have ended, "but there's
smuggling going on all the time.

"This is going to get worse before it gets better," he said at a news
conference. "Organized crime is a very, very serious threat to this country."

Asian gangs continue to be involved in human smuggling, particularly women
from southeast Asia, the report said. In one Calgary-based operation,
massage parlours were targeted for arranging the transportation of women
from Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam to Canada. Upon arrival, the women were
forced into prostitution in several Western cities.

Police forces across Canada are working together to shut down organized
crime, Mr. Zaccardelli said. But he called upon all levels of government
and even the public to do their part in the fight.

"This is serious business and it's all of our business," he said. "We're
doing the best we can and we need everybody's help."

Chief Edgar MacLeod, president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of
Police, said organized crime earns a profit globally estimated at $1-trillion.

The average Canadian feels the impact of organized crime through such
things as higher insurance premiums, he said.

The insurance industry estimates insurance fraud costs more than $1-billion
a year in Canada for increased premiums, including $600-million in vehicle
theft.

Identity theft is also one of the fastest growing crimes in North America,
said the report, adding that it "has become a serious concern to Canadians."

Last year, losses from identity theft totalled $21-million -- almost double
the figure from the previous year, said Phonebusters, a fraud reporting agency.

Calgary Police crime prevention Const. Kathy Macdonald said the Internet is
part of the reason for the increase. "With the advent of new technology,
there is so much more information about you available on the Internet," she
said.

Some perpetrators are hacking into personal computers for financial
information, while others are illegally modifying ATMs to copy information
when a card is swiped. About 40% of identity theft comes from credit and
debit card fraud.

Other trends noted in the 2004 report on organized crime in Canada:

- - Organized crime has made attempts to infiltrate Canada's growing domestic
diamond mine industry. In the last year, Canada became the third-largest
diamond-producing country in terms of value. But the report says: "There
currently is no indication of organized crime infiltration into the primary
Canadian diamond industry."

- - The country's major airports and marine ports, especially Vancouver,
Montreal and Halifax, remain vulnerable to smuggling. The Hells Angels
continue to wield the most influence at ports involved in international
shipping.

- - The Hells Angels, despite several successful law enforcement stings, are
still the largest and most powerful outlaw motorcycle gang in Canada, with
an estimated 500 members.

- - More firearms, particularly handguns, are falling into the hands of
organized crime groups. Gang members are using firearms for intimidation
and violence aimed at rivals.

- - Traditional, Italian-based organized crime, which is mainly centred in
Toronto, Hamilton and Montreal, is expected to expand and is particularly
adept at using violence and corruption to achieve its goals. Drugs remain
the primary source of income but groups have moved into marijuana
cultivation, illegal gambling, bookmaking, extortion and stock market
manipulation.

- - Violence among Aboriginal-based street gangs is expected to continue,
posing a threat to the public in some communities.

- - Technological advances are continuing to increase the amount of child
pornography in Canada and internationally, including advertising of
child-sex tourism destinations. Child street prostitution will remain
concentrated in urban centres and will continue to have links to street gangs.

(Vancouver Sun and Calgary Herald)