GANGS INTO HIGH-TECH

Intelligence Report Lists Five Active Organized Crime Groups In Alberta

Five organized crime groups monitored by a national intelligence service
are active in Alberta and some have become experts at using modern
technology to commit crimes, warns the Criminal Intelligence Service Canada.

In its latest annual report, CISC says the most active or entrenched gangs
in Alberta include Asian and aboriginal-based groups.

Asian organized crime groups often get involved in illicit drug
importation, trafficking, credit/payment card fraud, and operating massage
parlours, the report says.

In Calgary and Edmonton, competition between the Asian groups for control
of the drug trade has led to murders, drive-by shootings and assaults.

Aboriginal-based gangs are active in many cities across the country, but
are firmly entrenched in Edmonton, Regina and Winnipeg, the report says.

These gangs - the Indian Posse, Redd Alert, Warriors, and Native Syndicate
- - are involved in street-level trafficking of various drugs, home invasions
and robberies.

And they support other organized crime groups, in particular the Hells
Angels and Asian-based gangs.

The Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gang operates in Alberta, but because
many members here are from rival motorcycle clubs, there's some tension in
the chapters.

The HA are involved in murder, drug trafficking, prostitution, illegal
gambling and extortion, the report says. And now they're using technology
to their advantage, warns CISC.

"Computers and the Internet are being used to manage gang affairs and
promote gang-related businesses and events on the Web ... One member of the
Hells Angels is currently considered the national Web master as well as
technical support and continues to build computer expertise."

Eastern European-based gangs are also operating in Alberta and their
"hallmark is the ability to plan and carry out sophisticated frauds" like
debit-card fraud and large-scale vehicle theft, says the report. These
groups are accomplished at disguising their activities as legitimate
business ventures.

Other crime groups operating in Alberta include traditional Italian-based
organized crime groups and street gangs, CISC says. The Italian-based
groups delve into illicit drug importation, trafficking, money laundering
and illegal gaming.

They're highly stable and use crime profits to invest in legitimate
businesses, the report says.

Street gangs are usually involved in assaults, shoplifting and bullying,
but a number of them are becoming more structured and delving into drug and
sex crimes, as well as bank-card skimming scams.

RCMP spokesman Const. Al Fraser, from Edmonton's K-Division, said law
enforcement agencies are keeping tabs on organized crime by sharing
information.

"We're always trying to keep right up there with them or at least one good
step ahead, as far as what they're doing, so we can bring these people
before the justice system."

All organized crime groups in the country are involved in some way in the
illicit movement and acquisition of firearms, the CISC report says.

The two main sources for these firearms are guns stolen from businesses or
homes in Canada, as well as firearms smuggled here from the U.S.