2021 Report: Organized Crime in Canada
This report provides an overview of the organized crime groups operating in Canada, the serious threats they pose, and the impacts they have on our communities.
For a copy of the full report, please contact us at CISC_Tasking@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
Highlights of the report
Over 2,600 Organized Crime Groups (OCGs) continue to contribute to the increasing number of fentanyl-related deaths, methamphetamine addiction, and firearms related violence.
There are common patterns among high-threat OCGs networks, such as outlaw motorcycle gangs and mafia-related ones. These include:
- using violence as an integral part of their strategy
- infiltrating law enforcement, security, government agencies and the private sector
- extensive criminal associations to other OCGs, and
- having an interprovincial and international scope
Street gangs use social media to encourage violence. They are also involved in most OCG-related public shootings and open acts of violence; putting innocent bystanders at risk.
OCGs move beyond their traditional bases of operations as they fight for control of distribution territories, which increases interprovincial violence.
There has been a rapid increase in OCGs involved in the opioid crisis. Their involvement includes the introduction of some emerging higher-risk opioids, such as:
- Isotonitazene
- more potent than fentanyl
- Black/Grey Death
- a compound of heroin, fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and other substances
- Xylazine
- a sedative / analgesic used in veterinary medicine that mimics the effects of opioids
Non-traditional OCGs also contribute to increased organized crime threats. These groups include cyber criminals, as well as those involved in money laundering.
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