GANGS NEWS GRIM

Major Group Must Be Taken Out, Or Face More Violence: Report

Twenty-four organized crime groups operate in Alberta and if a major gang
isn't taken out by police, the violence will only continue, says the
Criminal Intelligence Service of Alberta.

"It is very apparent that there are an abundance of organized crime groups
to target in the province," says CISA's annual report. "At times, different
groups in the same locale will work co-operatively conducting criminal
transactions.

"At other times, however, groups will become very competitive for control of
the drug trade and it is situations like these that result in considerable
jeopardy to the public and the police.

"These situations have arisen in several Alberta cities in the past five
years and unless one of the dominant groups is dismantled, the violence will
continue."

In its report, CISA identified 24 organized crime groups, which include:

*- 10 Asian-based groups involved in drug crimes, as well as money
laundering, illegal gaming, extortion, loan sharking, and credit/debit card
fraud. Violence between competing groups has "abated" with arrests in 1999
and 2000, but since then competition between other Asian-based groups for
control of drug territory has grown, resulting in homicides, drive-by
shootings and serious assaults, said the report.

*- Two competing South Asian-based groups in Edmonton resulted in a plethora
of violence - including homicides - between 1996 and 2001. But the violence
has been curtailed due to numerous members of one group being arrested.

*- The Hells Angels are the only outlaw motorcycle gang in the province with
chapters in Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer. But some members' criminal
activity has expanded to Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, and Fort McMurray.

*- There's also five European-based organized crime groups involved in
jewelry smuggling, drugs, illegal gambling, counterfeit currency and
laundering the proceeds of crime. Some members or associates are looking for
sources of precursor chemicals used in the production of crystal meth.

*- Three Italian-based groups, here since the mid-1980s, are involved in
drug trafficking, loan sharking, stolen property rings, and laundering
illegal proceeds of crime.

*- A few Jamaican groups operate in Edmonton, with members taking part in
cocaine trafficking and money laundering. Two local homicides had some links
to these groups.

*- Several Middle eastern groups involved in drug trafficking and money
laundering are also monitored by police.

*- And due to aboriginal gang members or associates being on reserves, the
trade in hard drugs is growing on some reserves. The report says this group
is involved in drug trafficking, robberies and home invasions and doesn't
hesitate to use violence.

In addition to these major players, the report also notes street gangs are
becoming so sophisticated and flexible that they are being ranked alongside
organized crime.