Are gangs in Canada helping terrorist organizations?

[doc_ock]

Here are some excerpts from an article that I found:

Driven by huge profits and a propensity for violence, organized crime groups and street gangs are flourishing across Canada with greater sophistication, stronger networks and deadly influence.

From identity theft and hooker rings to hard-core drug operations, human trafficking and gun-smuggling, gangs are exploiting advanced technology and weapons to yield control over cash and turf.

But Justice Minister Vic Toews said traditional lines drawn between various street gangs and organized crime are becoming blurred as distinct groups join hands to maximize the profits and influence of their criminal enterprises. It's a disturbing trend that makes illicit webs increasingly tough for cops to crack.

Toews said the water is muddied between gangs and terrorist organizations, which now partner internationally to finance their nefarious activities.

"It indicates that we are not simply dealing with local crime. We are dealing with crime that has international ramifications and that terrorist organizations are often working together with gangs in order to raise money," he said.

A 2005 report from Criminal Intelligence Service Canada notes that traditional biker, mob and street gangs have evolved with "increasingly complex dynamics."

Using violence and advanced technology, organized criminals are teaming together to bolster their ability to move illicit goods in and out of Canada by air, land and marine ports.

"Organized crime in Canada takes advantage of a multitude of opportunities that will bring them profit," the report concludes.

"They are as a result increasingly networked, often engaging in co-operative criminal ventures based upon mutual need."

NDP MP Joe Comartin said the successful smashing of gangs in Quebec and Manitoba have pushed "residue" to grow in Ontario.

He said a "realignment of resources" on security and fighting terrorism after 9/11 has also allowed the problem to fester.

"Focusing on the gangs, focusing on the drug trafficking and gun smuggling has relented somewhat because we have concentrated much of our resources on the security and the terrorism side," he said.

Comartin believes guns and gang violence pose a greater threat to public safety than terrorism.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Law/Gang...14238-sun.html

Does "gang violence pose a greater threat to public safety than terrorism" as NDP MP Joe Comartin thinks?

[konfusion666]

How about the X number of deaths in Canada caused by "gang violence", between 2000 and 2005, compared to the ... zero ... number of deaths in Canada caused by "terrorism"?

I'm guessing X will be a figure of at least 100.

[nano]

everyone forgets the air india that was a terrorist act.

[atforum]

politicians and religious leaders the world over belonging to all countries/religions are responsible

[JohnB]

Yes if they are distributing coke, heroin, other illicit drugs, etc.

[blackhawk]

everyone forgets the air india that was a terrorist act.

bingo! thats a long way from 0

terrorists aren't looking to take a life in a back alley but make a statement with numbers and symbolism..........a much bigger potential threat

[konfusion666]

bingo! thats a long way from 0

terrorists aren't looking to take a life in a back alley but make a statement with numbers and symbolism..........a much bigger potential threat

"Guns and gang violence" are still a bigger threat to society because they continue to cause fatalities on an almost weekly basis... when was the Air India bombing, and what year is it now? Thanks

And you could make reference to the Fertilizer Boys from the weekend but the key point is that they were stopped before anything could happen...

[nano]

personally i am more concerned about terrorist then street gangs

[gilboman]

personally i am more concerned about terrorist then street gangs