LECTURE 5

Question 1

What is the primary source of income for criminal organizations in Canada?

Answer 1

Illegal drugs - e.g., MDMA, Marijuana

Question 2

Fentanyl Network

Answer 2

Many OCGs are involved in fentanyl distribution. It is very profitable and many of the chemicals used to synthesize fentanyl are unregulated and legally available

Question 3

Methamphetamine Networks

Answer 3

Another crucial source of income for OC. Canada serves as a transit point into international markets. Chemicals and precursors can be obtained domestically, and OCGs may leverage the expertise and networks of independent chemical brokers and finances to aid in production and importation

Question 4

Opium Act 1908

Answer 4

The drug trade was legal with opium imported from Asia, this changed with the Opium Act of 1908, which made opium illegal

Question 5

B.C. and Drug Decriminalization

Answer 5

B.C. has implemented a pilot project which no longer subjects a criminal charge for the possession of up to 2.5 g of certain drugs for personal use. This is instead portraying addiction and drug use as a health issue - however, they have had the most significant number of drug-related deaths since

Question 6

Portugal and Decriminalizing Drugs

Answer 6

They decriminalized drug use and possession - shifting the issue to public health. Instead, they treat drugs as a health issue rather than a criminal one. Now, Portugal has fewer drug-related deaths and the sentencing rates for drug offenders have dropped

Question 7

Oregon and Decriminalizing Drugs

Answer 7

Oregon decriminalized drugs but still had high rates of addictions and overdoses - they could not meet the demand due to staffing and funding shortage

Question 8

Vincent Ramos

Answer 8

Sold encrypted Blackberry smartphones to criminals worldwide enabling them to sell drugs and even plan murders. ran a company called Phantom Secure that offered gutted, uncrackable smartphones that, for a
subscription could send encrypted text messages through a secure network. The company also could wipe the phones remotely if they were seized.

Question 9

Jesus Herrera Esperanza a.k.a Hondo

Answer 9

He was one of El Chapo’s men in Canada who posed as a Columbia College student. He was sent to Vancouver to run his drug distribution and money collection throughout Canada. He got caught because he posted #701 on Facebook, reference to El Chapo on Forbes list of wealthiest people

Question 10

Drug Cartel

Answer 10

Criminal Organizations focused on drug trafficking

Question 10

Internal Structure of Drug Cartels

Answer 10

(1) Drug Lords
(2) Falcons
(3) Sicarios
(4) Lieutenants

Question 11

Drug Lords

Answer 11

Bosses - Responsible for supervising the drug trafficking operations, appointing territorial leaders, making alliances and planning assassinations

Question 12

Falcons

Answer 12

Foot soldiers acting as “eyes and ears” on the street

Question 13

Sicarios

Answer 13

Enforcers who handle assassinations, thefts, kidnappings, extortions and defend territory

Question 14

Lieutenants

Answer 14

Oversee sicarios and falcons - ensuring loyalty to the cartel. They also carry out low-profile murders without needing the drug lord’s permission

Question 15

Montreal’s Port

Answer 15

Top container port in Canada which is historically controlled by the west end gang