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.