fintrac financial intelligence produces results · 2017-11-02 · ontario provincial police...

FINTRAC Financial Intelligence Produces Results 1. Ontario Provincial Police [2017-02-23] ................................................................................................. 6

Project SILKSTONE ................................................................................................................................. 6

2. Canadian banks, police following money trail to target human trafficking [2017-02-21] .................... 7

3. Justice Canada [2017-02-09] ............................................................................................................... 10

Combatting Human Trafficking and Supporting Victims ..................................................................... 10

Lutter contre la traite de personnes et aider les victimes .................................................................. 13

4. Sûreté du Québec [ 2017-02-06 ] ........................................................................................................ 16

Projet ESTACADE : Démantèlement d'un réseau de trafic de stupéfiants dans la grande région de Montréal ............................................................................................................................. 16

5. Calgary ALERT [ 2016-12-07 ] .............................................................................................................. 17

Ten Arrested, 111 Charges in Calgary Organized Crime Investigation ................................................ 17

6. Sûreté du Québec [ 2016-10-07 ] ........................................................................................................ 19

Bilan opération NOUAGE : Démantèlement d'un réseau de production de cannabis et de trafic de stupéfiants en Outaouais ...................................................................................................... 19

7. Durham Regional Police [ 2016-09-28 ] ............................................................................................... 21

Project Echo Nets ATM Theft Suspects ............................................................................................... 21

8. RCMP [ 2016-09-23 ] ........................................................................................................................... 22

RCMP arrest Thunder Bay resident for Fraud and other Criminal Code Offences .............................. 22

La GRC arrête un résident de Thunder Bay pour fraude et d’autres violations du Code criminel ...... 23

9. Canada Revenue Agency [ 2016-09-07 ] ............................................................................................. 24

Government of Canada works with International Partners to Crack Down on Offshore Tax Evasion .......................................................................................................................................... 24

Le gouvernement du Canada collabore avec ses partenaires internationaux en vue de lutter contre l'évasion fiscale à l'étranger ..................................................................................................... 26

10. Sûreté du Québec [ 2016-06-29 ] ........................................................................................................ 28

Arrestations et perquisitions en lien avec le trafic de stupéfiants ...................................................... 28

11. RCMP [ 2016-06-16 ] ........................................................................................................................... 29

RCMP lay charges in connection with Ontario Provincial Police Association investigation................ 29

La GRC porte des accusations relativement à l’enquête sur l’Association de la Police provinciale de l’Ontario ....................................................................................................................... 29

12. RCMP [ 2016-06-10 ] ........................................................................................................................... 31

Calgary RCMP charge two Calgary real estate developers with fraud and theft ................................ 31

La GRC de Calgary accuse deux promoteurs immobiliers de Calgary de fraude et de vol .................. 31

13. RCMP [ 2016-06-07 ] ........................................................................................................................... 33

Calgary RCMP and Calgary Police Service join forces to take down Fraudsters ................................. 33

14. ACAMS TODAY [ 2016-05-27 ] ............................................................................................................. 35

Peter Warrack and Constable Lepa Jankovic: Raising Awareness about Human Trafficking .............. 35

15. Toronto Police Service [ 2016-05-17 ] ................................................................................................. 42

Three people arrested in "Project Lotto," Joint investigation with OPP ............................................. 42

16. RCMP / GRC [ 2016-03-29 ] ................................................................................................................. 44

RCMP Integrated National Security Enforcement Team lays terrorism charge against Kevin Omar Mohamed ........................................................................................................................ 44

L’Équipe intégrée de la sécurité nationale de la GRC dépose une accusation de terrorisme contre Kevin Omar Mohamed ............................................................................................................. 44

17. UPAC [ 2016-03-17 ] ............................................................................................................................ 46

Projets JOUG et LIERRE: sept personnes sont arrêtées par l'UPAC .................................................... 46

Globe and Mail [2016-03-17]: Quebec anti-corruption police arrest former top Liberals, PQ aides ............................................................................................................................................... 49

18. RCMP / GRC [ 2016-01-14 ] ................................................................................................................. 52

Two Properties Restrained in Ottawa Area ......................................................................................... 52

Deux biens bloqués dans la région d’Ottawa ...................................................................................... 53

19. Toronto Police Service [ 2015-12-09 ] ................................................................................................. 55

Arrests in $93M US pyramid scheme, Toronto and Vancouver men charged .................................... 55

20. Ontario Provincial Police [ 2015-10-09 ] ............................................................................................. 57

OPP Dismantle Criminal Organization ................................................................................................. 57

Five charged in multi-million dollar property fraud ............................................................................ 57

21. Cocaine trafficking-related charges net prison sentences for 2 men [ 2015-09-03 ] ......................... 59

22. RCMP / GRC [ 2015-07-06 ] ................................................................................................................. 60

J-Touchdown: four additional men facing charges in cocaine trafficking investigation, Tracadie, N.B. ...................................................................................................................................... 60

J-Touchdown: quatre autres hommes font face à des accusations dans le cadre d'une enquête en matière de trafic de cocaïne - Tracadie (N.-B.) ................................................................ 60

23. RCMP / GRC [ 2015-06-03 ] ................................................................................................................. 62

CFSEU Dismantles ‘Ndrangheta Criminal Organization ....................................................................... 62

L'UMECO démantèle des cellules de l'organisation criminelle 'Ndrangheta ...................................... 64

24. Service de police de la Ville de Montréal [ 2015-05-12 ] .................................................................... 68

Démantèlement d’un important réseau de contrebande d’alcool ..................................................... 68

25. Minister Blaney commends law enforcement agencies for disrupting an international prostitution ring [ 2015-04-01 ] ........................................................................................................... 70

Le ministre Blaney félicite des organismes d'application de la loi pour le démantèlement d'un réseau de prostitution international ........................................................................................... 70

26. RCMP / GRC [ 2015-04-01 ] ................................................................................................................. 71

Human Smuggling and Sexual Exploitation: the RCMP Disrupts a Canada-Wide Prostitution Ring ... 71

Passage de clandestins et exploitation sexuelle : la GRC frappe contre un réseau pancanadien ...... 72

27. Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) [ 2015-02-12 ] ................................................... 75

Calgary Crime Group Hit with $5 million Drug Seizure ....................................................................... 75

ALERT Calgary: News Conference Transcript, February 10, 2015 ....................................................... 76

28. Saskatoon Police Service [ 2015-01-15 ] ............................................................................................. 79

Project Forseti - IOC North - Charges/Seizures ................................................................................... 79

29. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-12-16 ] ................................................................................................................. 84

Mother-and-son duo plead guilty to Ponzi scheme ............................................................................ 84

Une mère et son fils plaident coupable à une accusation de combine à la Ponzi .............................. 85

30. Unité permanente anticorruption [ 2014-10-15 ] ............................................................................... 87

L’accusé Riadh Ben Aissa a été extradé en sol québécois ................................................................... 87

31. Niagara Regional Police Service [ 2014-09-25 ] ................................................................................... 88

Drugs - Southern Ontario International Drug Trafficking Arrests – Update 4..................................... 88

32. Charges laid in bankruptcy fraud investigation [ 2014-09-24 ] ........................................................... 90

Accusations portées dans le cadre d'une enquête sur une fraude en matière de faillite .................. 91

33. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-08-20 ] ................................................................................................................. 92

RCMP seize 2.2 kilos, over $ 127,190 cash and charge two – Bank account frozen ........................... 92

La GRC saisit de 2,2 kg de drogue, plus de 127 190 $ en espèces, bloque des comptes bancaires et porte des accusations contre 2 personnes ..................................................................... 93

34. RCMP Charge 11 in Investment Scam [ 2014-06-20 ] ......................................................................... 94

La GRC accuse 11 personnes liées à une fraude en matière de placement ........................................ 95

35. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-06-12 ] ................................................................................................................. 97

Project Clemenza: Two Major Italian Organized Crime Cells Dismantled........................................... 97

Projet Clemenza : démantèlement de deux cellules majeures du crime organisé italien .................. 99

36. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-06-11 ] ............................................................................................................... 101

Conspiracy to Import and Traffic in Cocaine: 17 Arrests ................................................................... 101

Complot pour importation et trafic de cocaïne : 17 arrestations ..................................................... 102

37. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-05-27 ] ............................................................................................................... 104

Crack Down on an International Mass Marketing Fraud Network: 16 Arrests ................................. 104

Démantèlement d’un réseau international de marketing de masse frauduleux : 16 individus arrêtés ............................................................................................................................................... 105

38. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-05-07 ] ............................................................................................................... 106

Two arrested after 160 investors lose 21 million: RCMP .................................................................. 106

La GRC arrête deux personnes ayant soutiré 21 millions de dollars à 160 investisseurs ................. 107

39. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-05-02 ] ............................................................................................................... 109

9 Arrested after RCMP disrupt Illegal Tobacco Distribution Network .............................................. 109

La GRC démantèle un réseau de distribution de tabac de contrebande et arrête neuf personnes . 110

40. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-05-01 ] ............................................................................................................... 112

Five Victims Defrauded for Over Four Million Dollars ...................................................................... 112

Cinq victimes fraudées pour plus de quatre millions de dollars ....................................................... 112

41. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-04-29 ] ............................................................................................................... 114

RCMP Conducts Search Warrants as part of a Terrorist Financing Investigation ............................. 114

La GRC exécute des mandats de perquisition dans le cadre d’une enquête sur le financement d’activités terroristes ........................................................................................................................ 115

42. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-04-24 ] ............................................................................................................... 117

Financial Markets: Two Persons Charged with Fraud ....................................................................... 117

Marchés financiers : deux personnes accusées de fraude ................................................................ 117

43. Federal court denies judicial review for alleged Macau crime kingpin [ 2014-04-03 ] ..................... 119

44. Drug charges in Melfort Provincial Court [ 2014-04-01 ] .................................................................. 121

45. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-03-26 ] ............................................................................................................... 123

Massive investment fraud leads to six arrests by the RCMP ............................................................ 123

Une vaste fraude d’investissement donne lieu à six arrestations par la GRC ................................... 124

46. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-03-20 ] ............................................................................................................... 126

Crack Down on a Mass Telemarketing Fraud Network: 23 Arrests .................................................. 126

Démantèlement d'un réseau de marketing de masse frauduleux : 23 individus arrêtés ................. 127

47. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-02-27 ] ............................................................................................................... 128

Charges laid in bankruptcy fraud investigation ................................................................................. 128

Accusations portées dans le cadre d'une fraude en matière de faillite ............................................ 129

48. Ottawa Police Service Press Conference Transcript [ 2014-01-30 ] .................................................. 130

49. Man faces seven charges in $7 million fraud investigation, Steven Joshua Nowack, 50, Photograph of man released [ 2013-10-29 ] ..................................................................................... 137

50. N.B. police make several drug arrests [ 2013-09-06 ] ....................................................................... 138

51. RCMP / GRC [ 2013-08-16 ] ............................................................................................................... 139

RCMP seize several kilograms of drugs and thousands of pills, Shediac, N.B. .................................. 139

Saisie de plusieurs kilos de drogue et de milliers de comprimés, Shediac (N.-B.) ............................ 139

52. Duffy expense claims fraudulent: RCMP [ 2013-08-09 ] ................................................................... 141

53. RCMP / GRC [ 2013-07-25 ] ............................................................................................................... 144

Charges laid in bankruptcy fraud investigation ................................................................................. 144

Accusations portées dans le cadre d'une enquête sur une fraude en matière de faillite ................ 144

54. Latest charges broaden case against former MUHC head [ 2013-05-29 ] ........................................ 146

55. Portail Québec News Release [ 2013-04-25 ] .................................................................................... 148

Project Lauréat – Yohann Elbaz arrested by UPAC, Quebec's permanent anti-corruption squad ... 148

56. Calgarian convicted in investment scam [ 2013-04-04 ] ................................................................... 149

57. Cash in bag from crime: Mounties [ 2013-03-26 ] ............................................................................ 151

1. Ontario Provincial Police [2017-02-23]

Project SILKSTONE FROM: Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau DATE: February 23, 2017

INVESTIGATION QUASHES HUGE DRUG AND GUN DISTRIBUTION RINGS

18 People Charged; Fentanyl and Weapons Seized

(VAUGHAN, ON) – Several Ontario and Quebec residents face numerous charges following a multi-jurisdiction investigation into illegal firearms and the trafficking of illegal drugs in Ontario, Québec and the United States.

Project SILKSTONE began as a high-level Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) investigation targeting multiple criminal groups involved in trafficking illegal drugs and guns along the Highway 401 corridor between the Greater Toronto Area, through the Belleville/Bay of Quinte Region and Montréal, Québec. The investigation also revealed drug trafficking activities to and from the United States.

At a news conference today, OPP Deputy Commissioner Rick BARNUM and representatives from the project’s partner agencies unveiled details of the investigation and samples of the evidence seized during the 18-month probe. Project SILKSTONE was conducted by OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Sûreté du Québec, Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The investigation was also supported by The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). Members of the OPP Emergency Response Team, OPP OCEB, Peel Regional Police Tactical and Rescue Unit, and the Toronto Police Service Emergency Task Force (ETF) assisted with executing the search warrants. Several search warrants were executed earlier this week at locations across southeastern Ontario, the Greater Toronto Area and Montréal, Québec.

During the course of the investigation, the project team combined to seize 11,500 pills containing fentanyl, eight (8) kilograms of cocaine, 7.5 kilograms of MDMA (ecstasy), 260 grams of methamphetamine, 7,200 marihuana plants from an indoor grow operation, 180 pounds of processed marihuana bud, cases of vapes containing THC – known as ‘JuJu Joints’, drug paraphernalia and equipment. Project SILKSTONE investigators seized 23 firearms including three (3) pistols and 20 long guns, $69,000.00 in Canadian currency and $500.00 in U-S currency, $50,000.00 worth of casino chips, equipment and supplies from an illegal identity card-making operation, Radio Frequency (RF) detecting devices, and ‘colours’ from an outlaw motorcycle gang. In addition, four (4) vehicles, an enclosed trailer and a snowmobile were seized as offence-related property.

OPP have charged 18 people with 81 offences including charges relating to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA) and the Criminal Code of Canada. (See PROJECT SILKSTONE -- ADDENDUM OF CHARGED PERSONS on the Media Resources Page)

The accused persons were held in custody upon arrest and are expected to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville at various times and dates. The investigation continues.

LEARN MORE

Media resources, including digital still photos of some of the evidence seized and a map, can be found at this link: Media Resources Page. (www.opp.ca/media/silkstone)

The OPP will also be releasing a series of topic-specific videos related to this investigation over the coming days. Media will be advised by release when those videos are available.

To find out more about the dangers of fentanyl and short term antidotes, we encourage everyone to visit www.facethefentanyl.ca, part of an awareness campaign supported by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP).

The Ontario Provincial Police Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) has a mandate to work with its partners to facilitate the disruption and suppression of criminal enterprises, which affects the citizens of Ontario. OCEB provides members and operational support to investigations on a provincial, national, and international level, working in cooperation with law enforcement agencies from around the world.

QUOTE

“By dismantling a criminal operation of this magnitude, we’ve literally prevented more than 11-thousand ‘doses of death’ of fentanyl and illegal guns from killing people in our communities. Project SILKSTONE again demonstrates how effective law enforcement is at working together to target criminality. Police leaders continue to send a very clear message to criminals that – regardless of jurisdiction – police will continue to identify and aggressively pursue those individuals who threaten public safety.”– Deputy Commissioner Rick BARNUM, Provincial Commander OPP Investigations and Organized Crime

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2. Canadian banks, police following money trail to target human trafficking [2017-02-21]

Project Protect partnership tracks suspicious transactions to back up victims' stories, and may eventually aid in securing convictions

By: TAVIA GRANT

Canada's financial watchdog has sent more than 100 disclosures to police in the past year on human trafficking in a quiet new initiative that targets traffickers by following their money.

Project Protect (https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/files/editorial/News/0219-nw-na-trafficking/PROJECT-PROTECT.pdf) is a partnership between the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FinTRAC), financial institutions and law enforcement that is using money trails to detect and investigate traffickers. Banks' anti-money laundering arms are starting to red flag suspicious accounts, based on indicators such as multiple motel bookings, large expenditures at drug stores and frequent ATM deposits in the middle of the night. They report suspicious activity to FinTRAC, which in turn notifies law enforcement.

In the year since the project was launched, FinTRAC has made 102 disclosures to police across Canada under the Project Protect label. By comparison, in the year before, there were 19 such trafficking-related disclosures.

Those who work to counter human trafficking say following the money trail can help back up a victim's story and potentially reveal other people who are being exploited. It may also, eventually, help secure convictions, which are still rare for this crime.

"It's a great tool for us," said Detective Sergeant Nunzio Tramontozzi, head of the Toronto Police Service's Sex Crimes-Human Trafficking Enforcement Team, which is part of the project. "We've had three or four investigations where the information that we received in the FinTRAC reports has helped us in our investigation."

Its usefulness comes largely after the arrest is made, as "it really does corroborate everything that a victim says," he said.

Human trafficking is defined as recruiting, transporting or controlling the movement of someone for the purpose of exploitation. More than 90 per cent of human-trafficking victims are female, and a quarter of victims are under the age of 18, according to Statistics Canada. Most police-reported cases in Canada are domestic, rather than cross-border, and most involve sexual exploitation.

It is a hidden crime, though not uncommon. Last year alone, Toronto police made 77 human-trafficking arrests, and laid 529 charges for trafficking or related offences. Police also found 67 victims last year - 60 per cent of whom were 16 and under. The youngest victim was 13 years old. So far this year, police have found another 12 victims, Det. Sgt. Tramontozzi said.

The new initiative was hatched in late 2015, when a crowd of bankers and consultants gathered in Toronto for an annual conference on financial crime and anti-money laundering. Appearing at the final day's event was a survivor of human trafficking, Timea Nagy, and an RCMP constable who both spoke of the impact of the crime and the importance of looking at money flows. They appealed to the audience to help tackle the crime.

Peter Warrack, director of the Bank of Montreal's anti-money laundering unit, stood up and publicly pledged his support.

"I just knew that financial institutions held an important key to identifying the traffickers, by seeing the money," said Mr. Warrack, who has worked in the field for more than 20 years.

"What was going through my head was, as regulated financial institutions, we have a mandate to identify and report suspicious transactions, and human trafficking fell within that mandate."

By the end of the day, he says FinTRAC - an independent federal agency created in 2000 with a mandate to detect and deter money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities - and all the other major banks were on board.

Project Protect was officially launched in January, 2016, and has spurred information sharing on the warning signs and common financial indicators of trafficking.

In December, FinTRAC released an operational alert to 31,000 businesses, partners and police that included a lengthy list of indicators that point to signs of trafficking. Red flags include payments for online escort ads, frequent hotel and motel bookings along with air and rail purchases, frequent large purchases at pharmacies and lingerie shops, payment in bitcoin and frequent deposits or withdrawals between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., along with banking activity at ATMs in different cities or provinces.

In the year before the project, financial institutions sent about 400 suspicious-transaction reports (STRs) to FinTRAC that involved human trafficking, human smuggling or related activity. In the year since, the number of human trafficking-related STRs rose to 2,000, FinTRAC said. They came from all of the Big Five banks along with money-service firms such as Western Union. Another 500 were sent in the first month of this year.

"I don't think I really had an appreciation for how large it was going to get," Michael Cowley, manager of FinTRAC's central region intelligence unit, said in an interview at the agency's Ottawa headquarters. "The quantity of reports has gone up, and the quality of the reporting has increased significantly, as well."

It's too early to evaluate how effective the project is in leading to arrests, additional charges or convictions, which are still rare. Since Canada introduced trafficking in persons legislation in 2005, there have been 53 completed adult court cases that had human trafficking as the most serious offence. Of those, as of 2014, less than a third resulted in a guilty finding, Statscan says.

And it may also raise concerns in some quarters over the balance between protecting clients' privacy and efforts to curb crime. FinTRAC doesn't automatically send all STRs to police; it evaluates and analyzes the reports and sends disclosures only if certain thresholds are met, said Barry MacKillop, FinTRAC's deputy director of operations. (Under law, banks are already required to report to FinTRAC suspected cases of money laundering).

The financial disclosures "don't typically, in my opinion, help us to identify a trafficking situation," said Detective Cam Brooks of the Calgary Police Service's Counter Exploitation Unit, in part because they don't indicate whether a woman is working by her own free will in the trade, or whether she's being exploited. But they have been useful in corroborating a victim's story.

For example, an arrest last fall involved a man who coerced a woman into the sex trade, often abusing her. Over the next two years, she was allegedly moved across the country. The man would advertise her online, and then funnel money electronically into his own bank account, leaving the victim with almost nothing to support herself. She was cut off from friends and family, and denied routine medical treatment for diabetes, which several times led to her going to hospital.

The Project Protect disclosure was helpful in validating her story, he said. "We have to dig deeper than just what that information provides us. But it gives us a starting point."

It's not just banks getting on board. Accounting firms are, too. Grant Thornton LLP joined the project a year ago, and has produced two reports for clients in different sectors on the financial red flags for trafficking. "There's been a strong response to stop this; we need to eradicate this and get this out of our communities," said Jennifer Fiddian-Green, partner and anti-money laundering expert, who went to Winnipeg this month to train credit unions on what to watch for.

The project is a good addition for law enforcement, but it's just one part of tackling the problem, said Barbara Gosse, CEO of the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking, who wants to see more focus on awareness and prevention.

"You need to have a multipronged approach," she said. "Yes, Project Protect should be one of those prongs, no question, looking at the financial side of this, forensic accounting is positive. And yes, it can assist victims. But Project Protect takes place while the trafficking operation and exploitation is happening.

"We need to do more on the prevention side, we need to have other supports and right now."

Follow this link to view this story on globeandmail.com: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadian-banks-police-following-money-trail-to-target-human-trafficking/article34093888/

3. Justice Canada [2017-02-09]

Combatting Human Trafficking and Supporting Victims Human trafficking is intolerable in Canadian society, and represents a serious concern for the government, law enforcement and our partners in all orders of government nationally and internationally.

Most victims of human trafficking are Canadian women and girls. Sexual exploitation is the purpose for recruiting and trafficking victims in the majority of cases faced by our law enforcement agencies. It occurs most often in major urban centres. Vulnerable groups are most at risk of human trafficking, including women, children and youth who are socially and economically disadvantaged, those who are Indigenous, LGBTQ2, runaways, youth residing in care, migrants, and new immigrants.

The Government of Canada works with provinces and territories, law enforcement, victim services, Indigenous and other community organizations and international partners to combat human trafficking, to support victims and potential victims, to raise awareness and to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. We engage our partners to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships and inform policy responses through a number of avenues.

In June 2012, the government launched the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking (the “Action Plan”), building upon existing federal responses to address human trafficking. Canada’s commitments under the Action Plan follow the ”4Ps” approach – prevention, protection, prosecution and partnerships. The Action Plan aimed to address critical gaps in existing responses, strengthen coordination with domestic and international partners, enhance transparency and accountability of federal anti-trafficking efforts, and raise awareness domestically and internationally.

The federal response to human trafficking is coordinated by the Human Trafficking Taskforce, led by Public Safety Canada and composed of 18 federal departments. The Taskforce is the primary federal

coordinating vehicle for anti-trafficking efforts and is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Action Plan.

The Government has made significant progress in its fight against human trafficking, including the following:

Canada’s first Criminal Code offences specifically targeting human trafficking were enacted in 2005. The Criminal Code now contains six specific human trafficking offences punishable by maximum penalties as high as life imprisonment.

Through the federal Victims Fund, $4 million over 8 years (2012-2020) has been made available to non-governmental organizations to contribute to enhanced direct service delivery to victims of human trafficking in Canada.

In March 2016, Public Safety Canada partnered with the Canadian Women’s Foundation to host the 2016 National Forum on Human Trafficking in Toronto. The Forum brought stakeholders together to discuss emerging issues, promote cooperation and strengthen anti-exploitation efforts.

The government launched the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in August 2016. During the pre-inquiry consultations, the issue of the causes and consequences of sexual exploitation and trafficking of Indigenous women and girls were raised.

In August 2016, the government also announced $16.17 million in funding over four years for the creation of Family Information Liaison Units in each province and territory, and to increase Victims Services funding, to provide culturally-appropriate victim services for families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and survivors of violence.

In October 2016, the RCMP co-led the fifth edition of Operation Northern Spotlight, a coordinated Canadian law enforcement outreach operation to proactively engage vulnerable persons in the sex trade industry in an effort to identify and assist those who are being exploited or at risk of human trafficking. Fifty-three law enforcement partners, across nine Canadian provinces were involved. A total of 334 interviews took place, with 16 individuals removed from exploitative situations. This initiative has been ongoing since 2014, involving multiple Canadian police forces and in partnership with US law enforcement counterparts.

The Minister of Public Safety is leading a formal evaluation of the National Action Plan on Human Trafficking to help inform the way forward on this important issue. While that strategy expired on March 31, 2016, budgets have been maintained and federal departments and agencies continue anti-trafficking work and efforts guided by its foundation.

A national awareness campaign on the domestic sex trafficking of Indigenous people was launched last year.

The Minister of Status of Women is leading the development of a Federal Strategy to Address Gender-based Violence. The Strategy aims to strengthen federal efforts to prevent and address gender-based violence and ensure that the Government of Canada has a coordinated, evidence-based response.

The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) provided 50 disclosures of actionable financial intelligence to partners that were linked to suspected human trafficking in 2015-2016.

International Efforts

Canada ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography in 2005, and International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour in 2000 which includes trafficking and sexual exploitation. Canada was one of the first countries to ratify the United Nations’ (UN) Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children in 2002 and works closely with UN agencies and other partners to combat this heinous crime.

Canada’s international assistance helps developing countries reduce vulnerabilities for children, adolescents and young adults at risk of being trafficked by strengthening their public health, education and child protection systems as well as building the capacity of law enforcement. Canada is working with governments, multilateral and other organizations promote children’s rights, and to put an end to child sexual exploitation and online sexual abuse globally. Canada provides funding to states and organizations to enhance international capacity to address human trafficking, with a core focus on prevention, protection and rehabilitation of trafficking victims, who are mostly women and children.

These efforts include $100 million to strengthen civil registration and vital statistics systems, including birth registration. Birth registration establishes the legal existence of a child and provides the foundation for safeguarding many of the child’s rights. Another project provides $8 million between 2014-20 to the ILO’s Combatting Trafficking of Children project, which supports capacity-building in Ukraine and has identified 400 victims of trafficking, including 11 children, and provided them with rehabilitation and reintegration support services.

The Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) conducts pre-arrival risk assessments of passengers inbound to Canada in order to identify possible victims and facilitators of human trafficking.

In 2015, 44 Temporary Residence Permits (TRPs) were issued to victims of human trafficking to allow them to consider their options, escape the influence of traffickers, recover from trauma and participate in investigations.

The Government is committed to strengthening its efforts to combat human trafficking and better protect trafficking victims. The introduction of Bill C-38 will help strengthen Canada’s criminal law response to trafficking in persons in a manner that is consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

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Lutter contre la traite de personnes et aider les victimes La traite de personnes est intolérable dans la société canadienne et représente une grave préoccupation pour le gouvernement, les services de police et nos partenaires de tous les ordres de gouvernement à l’échelle nationale et internationale.

La plupart des victimes de la traite de personnes sont des femmes et des filles d’origine canadienne. L’exploitation sexuelle constitue l’objectif du recrutement et de la traite de victimes dans la majorité des cas auxquels sont confrontés les organismes d’application de la loi. Cette situation se produit le plus souvent dans les grands centres urbains. Les populations vulnérables sont les plus à risque d’être victimes de la traite de personnes, notamment les femmes, les enfants et les jeunes moins avantagés sur le plan socioéconomique, les personnes d’origine autochtone, les membres de la communauté des LGBTQ2, les fugueurs, les jeunes résidant dans un foyer d’accueil, les migrants et les nouveaux immigrants.

Le gouvernement du Canada travaille avec les provinces et les territoires, les organismes d’application de la loi, les services d’aide aux victimes, les organisations autochtones et autres organisations communautaires ainsi que les partenaires internationaux à lutter contre la traite de personnes, à aider les victimes et les personnes susceptibles d’être victimes, à accroître la sensibilisation à ce problème et à veiller à ce que les auteurs de ce crime soient traduits en justice. Nous mobilisons nos partenaires pour favoriser l’échange d’information, renforcer nos partenariats et orienter les interventions stratégiques de diverses façons.

En juin 2012, le gouvernement a lancé le Plan d’action national de lutte contre la traite de personnes (le Plan d’action), en s’appuyant sur les mesures fédérales existantes pour lutter contre la traite de personnes. Les engagements du Canada dans le cadre du Plan d’action suivent l’approche des « 4P », soit la prévention, la protection, la poursuite et le partenariat. L’objectif du Plan d’action national était de combler les lacunes importantes dans les mesures existantes, de renforcer la coordination avec les partenaires canadiens et internationaux, d’améliorer la transparence et la responsabilisation des efforts fédéraux pour lutter contre la traite de personnes, et d’accroître la sensibilisation nationale et internationale.

La réponse du gouvernement fédéral à la traite de personnes est coordonnée par le Groupe de travail sur la traite de personnes, qui est dirigé par Sécurité publique Canada et est composé de 18 ministères et agences fédéraux. Le Groupe de travail est le responsable principal de la coordination des efforts de lutte contre la traite de personnes et de la surveillance de la mise en œuvre du Plan d’action.

Le gouvernement a réalisé de grands progrès dans sa lutte contre la traite de personnes, notamment les suivants :

Les premières infractions en vertu du Code criminel au Canada visant particulièrement la traite de personnes ont été édictées en 2005. Le Code criminel prévoit maintenant six infractions visant

particulièrement la traite de personnes qui sont sanctionnées par une peine maximale pouvant aller jusqu’à l’emprisonnement à perpétuité.

Par l’intermédiaire du Fonds fédéral d’aide aux victimes, un montant de 4 millions de dollars réparti sur huit ans (2012-2020) a été mis à la disposition des organisations non gouvernementales pour contribuer à l’amélioration de la prestation directe de services aux victimes de la traite de personnes au Canada.

En mars 2016, Sécurité publique Canada s’est associée à la Fondation canadienne des femmes pour organiser le Forum national sur la traite de personnes de 2016 à Toronto. Le Forum a permis aux intervenants de se réunir afin de discuter des enjeux nouveaux, de promouvoir la collaboration et de renforcer les efforts de lutte contre l’exploitation.

Le gouvernement a lancé l’Enquête nationale sur les femmes et les filles autochtones disparues et assassinées en août 2016. Au cours des consultations qui ont précédé l’enquête, la question des causes et des conséquences de l’exploitation sexuelle et de la traite de femmes et de filles autochtones a été soulevée.

En août 2016, le gouvernement du Canada a aussi annoncé un financement de 16,17 millions de dollars sur quatre ans pour la création d’unités d’information et de liaison pour les familles dans chaque province et territoire, et pour augmenter le financement de services d’aide aux victimes adaptés sur le plan culturel à l’intention des familles des femmes et des filles autochtones disparues et assassinées et des survivants de la violence.

En octobre 2016, la GRC a codirigé la cinquième édition de l’Opération Northern Spotlight, une activité de communication coordonnée des services de police du Canada ayant comme objectif de mobiliser les travailleurs vulnérables de l’industrie du sexe en vue d’identifier et d’aider les personnes qui sont exploitées ou à risque d’être victimes de la traite de personnes. Cinquante-trois partenaires des services de police de neuf provinces canadiennes y ont participé. Un total de 334 entrevues ont été menées, et 16 personnes ont été retirées de situations d’exploitation. Cette initiative se poursuit depuis 2014, avec la participation de nombreux corps policiers canadiens et en partenariat avec les forces de l’ordre homologues des États-Unis.

Le ministre de la Sécurité publique mène une évaluation officielle du Plan d’action national de lutte contre la traite de personnes afin d’orienter les prochaines mesures à prendre relativement à cet enjeu important. Même si cette stratégie a pris fin le 31 mars 2016, les budgets ont été maintenus et les ministères et organismes fédéraux continuent le travail et les efforts de lutte contre la traite de personnes en s’appuyant sur son fondement.

Une campagne de sensibilisation nationale sur la traite d’Autochtones à des fins d’exploitation sexuelle a été lancée l’année dernière.

La ministre de la Condition féminine dirige l'élaboration d'une stratégie fédérale contre la violence fondée sur le sexe. La stratégie vise à renforcer les efforts déployés par le gouvernement fédéral pour

prévenir la violence fondée sur le sexe, et y remédier, et veiller à ce que le gouvernement du Canada ait une réponse coordonnée et fondée sur des données probantes.

Le Centre d’analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE) a fourni 50 divulgations de renseignements financiers pouvant donner lieu à une poursuite à des partenaires qui étaient liés à des activités soupçonnées de traite de personnes en 2015-2016.

Les efforts internationaux

Le Canada a ratifié le Protocole facultatif à la Convention relative aux droits de l’enfant, concernant la vente d’enfants, la prostitution des enfants et la pornographie mettant en scène des enfants en 2005, et la Convention 182 sur les pires formes de travail des enfants de l’Organisation internationale du Travail (OIT) en 2000, laquelle comprend la traite et l’exploitation sexuelle. Le Canada a été l’un des premiers pays à ratifier le Protocole visant à prévenir, réprimer et punir la traite des personnes, en particulier des femmes et des enfants de l’Organisation des Nations Unies (ONU) en 2002, et il travaille d’ailleurs en étroite collaboration avec les organismes de l’ONU et d’autres partenaires pour lutter contre ce crime odieux.

L’aide que fournit le Canada à l’étranger permet aux pays en développement de réduire les vulnérabilités chez les enfants, les adolescents et les jeunes adultes à risque d’être victimes de la traite de personnes en renforçant leurs systèmes de santé publique, d’éducation et de protection de l’enfance, ainsi qu’en augmentant la capacité des organismes d’application de la loi. Le Canada travaille avec les gouvernements, les organismes multilatéraux et d’autres organisations afin de promouvoir les droits de l’enfant et de mettre fin à l’exploitation sexuelle des enfants et à la violence sexuelle perpétrée en ligne dans le monde entier. Le Canada fournit aux états et aux organisations des fonds pour accroître la capacité internationale de lutter contre la traite de personnes, une attention particulière étant portée à la prévention, à la protection et à la réadaptation des victimes de la traite de personnes, qui sont principalement des femmes et des enfants.

Ces efforts comprennent une contribution de 100 millions de dollars pour renforcer les systèmes d’enregistrement civil et de données de l’état civil, dont l’enregistrement des naissances. L’enregistrement de la naissance établit l’existence juridique d’un enfant et fournit le fondement de la protection d’un bon nombre de droits de l’enfant. Un autre projet prévoit l’octroi de 8 millions de dollars de 2014 à 2020 au Projet de lutte contre la traite des enfants de l’OIT, lequel favorise le renforcement de la capacité en Ukraine et a permis d’identifier 400 victimes de la traite, dont 11 enfants, en plus de fournir à ces derniers des services de réadaptation et d’aide à la réintégration.

L’Agence des services frontaliers du Canada (ASFC) effectue des évaluations du risque avant l’arrivée des passagers qui entrent au Canada afin d’identifier les complices éventuels de la traite de personnes et les personnes susceptibles d’en être victimes.

En 2015, 44 permis de séjour temporaire (PST) ont été délivrés aux victimes de la traite de personnes afin de leur permettre d’examiner leurs options, d’échapper à l’influence des trafiquants, de se remettre d’un événement traumatisant et de participer aux enquêtes.

Le gouvernement s’est engagé à redoubler d’efforts dans sa lutte contre la traite de personnes et à mieux protéger les victimes. Le dépôt du projet de loi C-38 viendra renforcer la réponse du Canada en matière de droit pénal face à la traite de personnes d’une manière qui est conforme à la Charte canadienne des droits et libertés.

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4. Sûreté du Québec [ 2017-02-06 ]

Projet ESTACADE : Démantèlement d'un réseau de trafic de stupéfiants dans la grande région de Montréal L'Escouade régionale mixte de Laval est en opération ce matin dans le cadre de la phase 2 du projet ESTACADE. Elle vise le démantèlement d'une organisation criminelle qui est devenue très active à Laval et à Montréal au niveau de l'importation et du trafic de cocaïne.

Au total, 4 arrestations ont été effectuées, ce matin, à Laval.

Nom Prénom Âge Lieu de résidence

MELKI Chadi 42 Laval

CHOUCHANI Charles 60 Laval

YEGHOYIAN Hovhannes 29 Laval

SHIRIN Mark 42 Laval

Ces derniers comparaîtront, cet après-midi, au palais de justice de Montréal, pour faire face à des accusations en lien avec le trafic de stupéfiants.

Un individu est toujours recherché, soit, Louis Manuel LOPES, 57 ans, de Montréal. Il pourrait se trouver à l'extérieur du pays.

Au total, ESTACADE aura permis l'arrestation de 13 individus.

Cette opération a été rendue possible grâce à la collaboration du Centre d'analyse des opérations et déclarations financières

du Canada.

Rappelons qu'en novembre 2015 le ratissage du projet MAGOT-MASTIFF avait permis de procéder aux arrestations et de porter des accusations contre notamment, une alliance composée de membres très influents du crime organisé italien de motard Hells Angels et de gang de rue. L'opération d'aujourd'hui est le plan de réponse mis en place suite à ce projet d'envergure.

Les Escouades régionales mixtes (ERM) sont des partenariats entre services de police qui ont comme objectif une mise en commun des ressources pour mieux lutter contre le crime organisé, et ce, dans toutes les régions du Québec.

Les policiers rappellent que toute information sur le crime organisé peut être transmise en tout temps et de façon confidentielle à la Centrale de l'information criminelle de la Sûreté du Québec au 1 800 659-4264

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5. Calgary ALERT [ 2016-12-07 ]

Ten Arrested, 111 Charges in Calgary Organized Crime Investigation Calgary… Following a year-long ALERT investigation, a Calgary-based organized crime group has been dismantled. Ten people were arrested and 111 charges relating to drugs, firearms, and organized crime have been laid.

ALERT Calgary’s organized crime and gang team began its investigation in November 2015 and concluded on November 21, 2016 with the arrest of primary suspect Timothy Varga, a 40-year-old man from Calgary. ALERT alleges that Varga was the central figure in a criminal network that extended from Alberta to British Columbia and had ties to Manitoba.

Varga has been charged with:

• Instructing a criminal organization; • Committing offences for a criminal organization; • Recruiting members for a criminal organization; • Conspiring to commit an indictable offence; • Trafficking in Cocaine (x 2); • Possession of property obtained by crime; • Six firearms charges.

Over the course of the investigation, ALERT deployed a variety of specialized police techniques and resources. An investigation of this scale required the assistance of a number of police agencies, including

Calgary Police Service, RCMP, Public Prosecution Services Canada, RCMP Vernon, RCMP Sicamous, Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) British Columbia, Canada Border Services Agency, Criminal Intelligence Service Alberta (CISA), and Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC).

Varga and his associates were implicated in multiple offences that included drug and weapons trafficking. ALERT provided a news release in September detailing some of these arrests, but since then additional charges have been finalized.

A total of 111 charges have been laid against 10 people from Calgary:

• Timothy Varga, 40; • Andrew McGuire, 41; • Antonio Chavez, 23; • Jason Hamilton, 40; • Larissa Cowan, 25; • Jared Kennedy, 32; • Spencer Allan-Elliott, 26; • Corey DeBakker, 19; • Alex Wawia, 40; • Justine Brind-Suchar, 26.

McGuire is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant and is believed to be in the Calgary area. Anyone who has information on his whereabouts is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

Search warrants were conducted throughout the course of the investigation in Calgary and British Columbia’s Okanagan region. A variety of drugs were seized and a loaded handgun, which was previously reported stolen, was found in Varga’s home. Varga has a lifetime firearms prohibition from a previous manslaughter conviction.

• Stolen handgun; • 147 grams of cocaine; • 26 grams of heroin; • 106 grams of methamphetamine; • 910 morphine pills; • 6 grams of hash oil; • kilograms of ketamine; • 14 trazodone pills; • 12 grams of psilocybin; • 14 rounds of ammunition • Various stolen property; • $10,500 cash proceeds of crime.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime. Members of Alberta Sheriffs, Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, and RCMP work in ALERT.

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Bilan opération NOUAGE : Démantèlement d'un réseau de production de cannabis et de trafic de stupéfiants en Outaouais Le 7 octobre 2016 – L'Escouade régionale mixte de l'Outaouais, en collaboration avec le Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau, a procédé hier à l'opération NOUAGE. Cette opération consistait à démanteler un réseau de production de cannabis et de trafic de stupéfiants dans la région de l'Outaouais.

Au total, 12 perquisitions visant entre autres des immeubles résidentiels et des véhicules ont été effectuées. Les lieux perquisitionnés sont situés principalement à L'Ange-Gardien, Gatineau, Lochaber Ouest, Val-des-Bois, Montréal et Notre-Dame-du-Laus. L'Escouade régionale mixte de l'Outaouais a procédé à l'arrestation de 21 personnes.

Les perquisitions ont mené à la saisie de:

• Plus de 1,1 million en argent comptant; • 874 plants de cannabis; • 225,5 livres de cannabis; • sacs de cannabis en vrac; • 2 kilos de hashchish; • 36 armes à feu.

Cette opération a mis fin aux activités de l'organisation criminelle de Yann Maisonneuve et d'Hugues Mongeon. Ces derniers étaient les têtes dirigeantes présumées de la production et de la distribution à grande échelle de cannabis dans la région de l'Outaouais. Cette organisation avait un chiffre d'affaires estimé à près de 3,9 millions de dollars annuellement.

L'enquête, initiée en octobre 2015, a mobilisé plus de 100 policiers de la Sûreté du Québec, du Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau, du Service de la sécurité publique de la MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais. Mentionnons également la collaboration de Revenu Québec et du Centre d'analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE).

Les policiers rappellent que toute information sur le crime organisé peut être transmise en tout temps et de façon confidentielle à la Centrale de l'information criminelle de la Sûreté du Québec au 1 800 659-4264.


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7. Durham Regional Police [ 2016-09-28 ]

Project Echo Nets ATM Theft Suspects Sep 28, 2016 11:57 ET – A two-month long multi-jurisdictional project, involving police services from across Ontario, has concluded with the arrests of two male suspects from the London area.

On July 17, 2016, officers in Central West Division investigated a break and enter at Campus Ice Sports on Simcoe Street North in Oshawa. Two masked suspects were caught on video surveillance breaking into the business and prying open a stand-alone ATM. Three more incidents occurred in Durham Region that appeared connected to the same suspects: A gas station on Highway 35/115 was forcibly entered and a safe was stolen, an ATM was forced open at the Newcastle Pool Complex on Rudell Road, and in both incidents the phone lines had been cut. A separate investigation was launched after the phone lines to the Legends Centre in Oshawa were cut.

Investigators from the East Division Criminal Investigations Bureau launched Project Echo and determined that the suspects were connected to incidents across southern Ontario, with break and enters in Kingston, Alliston, Schomburg, Waterloo Region and Niagara Region.

On Tuesday, September 27, 2016, members of Project Echo, assisted by the London Police Service, executed a search warrant at a residence in London. Two suspects were arrested without incident and cash, break-in tools, a money-counting machine, two vehicles, an ATV and two safes were recovered.

Grant SMITH, age 57, and David CARNEY, age 48, both of Langton Road in London, face a combined 59 charges, including: Break and Enter; Mischief Under $5,000; Possession of Break-in Tools; and Disguise with Intent. Both were held for bail hearings.

Investigators thank the London Police Service, OPP Techumseth Detachment, Sarnia Police Service, Kingston Police Service, Sudbury Police Service, Waterloo Police Service, FINTRAC and the Niagara Regional Police Service for their assistance in this project.

Anyone with new information is asked to contact D/Cst. Stuart or D/Cst. Allbon of the East Division Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1687.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.

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8. RCMP [ 2016-09-23 ]

RCMP arrest Thunder Bay resident for Fraud and other Criminal Code Offences (Thunder Bay, Ontario – September 20, 2016) – Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Serious & Organized Crime Section in Thunder Bay have charged a Thunder Bay resident with misappropriation of funds.

The RCMP alleges that between 2007 and 2012, Mr. Giuseppe (Joe) CRUPI fraudulently obtained for Kashechewan First Nation (KFN) over $1.2 million of public money from the National Child Benefit Reinvestment (NCBR) Program, which was meant to provide breakfasts for approximately 400 elementary school children in the Kashechewan First Nation (KFN). The RCMP also alleges that CRUPI then misappropriated from KFN approximately $694,000.00 of this money for his personal use in 2008, 2009 and 2012.

The funds originally came from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) [formerly known as Aboriginal Affairs Northern Development Canada (AANDC)] through the NCBR Program. One of the objectives of the program is promoting child nutrition. CRUPI also submitted false funding applications and reports to INAC on behalf of KFN. CRUPI was the co-manager at KFN, responsible for managing funds obtained by KFN from INAC.

On September 20th, 2016, RCMP investigators arrested and charged Giuseppe CRUPI (50 years old) from Thunder Bay, Ontario with the following:

• Fraud Over (x3); contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC) • Uttering forged document (x3); contrary to the CCC • Laundering proceeds of Crime; contrary to the CCC • Possession of Property obtained by Crime over $5,000; contrary to the CCC

“Economic Integrity is a priority that the RCMP addresses through enforcement and disruption”, said Insp. Paul Mellon, North East District Commander. “We target fraud including those criminal activities that exploit our Indigenous communities.”

The RCMP would like to thank The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) for their assistance in this investigation.

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La GRC arrête un résident de Thunder Bay pour fraude et d’autres violations du Code criminel (Thunder Bay, Ontario – le 20 septembre 2016) – Des membres de la section Crimes graves et Crime organisé de la Gendarmerie royale du Canada (GRC) à Thunder Bay ont accusé un résident de Thunder Bay de détournement de fonds.

La GRC allègue que, entre 2007 et 2012, Giuseppe (Joe) CRUPI a obtenu frauduleusement plus de 1,2 million de dollars en fonds publics du programme de Réinvestissement de la Prestation nationale pour enfants (RPNE) pour la Première Nation de Kashechewan. Ces fonds devaient servir à fournir des déjeuners pour approximativement 400 élèves d’école primaire de la Première Nation de Kashechewan. La GRC allègue également que M. CRUPI a ensuite détourné approximativement 694 000 $ de ce montant à des fins personnelles en 2008, 2009 et 2012.

Les fonds provenaient à l’origine d’Affaires autochtones et du Nord Canada (AANC) [anciennement Affaires autochtones et Développement du Nord Canada (AADNC)], par le biais du programme de RPNE. L’un des objectifs de ce programme est d’améliorer l’alimentation des enfants. M. CRUPI a également soumis de fausses demandes de financement et de faux rapports à AANC au nom de la Première Nation de Kashechewan. M. CRUPI était cogestionnaire à la Première Nation de Kashechewan et était responsable de gérer les fonds obtenus auprès d’AANC.

Le 20 septembre 2016, les enquêteurs de la GRC ont arrêté Giuseppe CRUPI (50 ans) de Thunder Bay, en Ontario, et l’ont accusé des crimes suivants :

• fraude de plus de (x3) en violation du Code criminel; • emploi d’un document contrefait (x3) en violation du Code criminel • recyclage des produits de la criminalité en violation du Code criminel • possession de biens criminellement obtenus de plus de 5 000 $ en violation du Code criminel.

« L’intégrité économique est une priorité que la GRC protège par l’application de la loi et la perturbation », a déclaré l’Inspecteur Paul Mellon, chef du district Nord-Est. « Nous nous attaquons à la fraude, y compris aux activités qui exploitent les collectivités autochtones. »

La GRC tient à remercier le Centre d'analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE) pour leur aide dans l’enquête.

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9. Canada Revenue Agency [ 2016-09-07 ]

Government of Canada works with International Partners to Crack Down on Offshore Tax Evasion September 7, 2016 Ottawa Canada Revenue Agency

The vast majority of Canadians pay their fair share of taxes, but some wealthy Canadians buy their way out of paying what they owe. This has to change in order to ensure a tax system that is more responsive and fair for all Canadians.

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, today highlighted Canada’s participation in the Joint International Taskforce on Shared Intelligence and Collaboration (JITSIC) network. During the announcement, the Minister emphasized the necessity of sharing data between Canada’s international partners, in order to identify and curb tax schemes and to bring those who choose to participate in such tactics to justice.

As a founding member of the JITSIC – a network of more than 30 tax administrations – Canada works closely with its counterparts to coordinate tax compliance activities across the spectrum of international tax risks.

Canada is now working with its international partners to tackle these threats through joint collaboration, and will continue to collect and share an increasing amount of data. In addition to these global efforts, respective countries are pursuing both criminal and civil activities domestically.

Minister Lebouthillier also underlined the concrete steps being taken by the CRA here in Canada to crack down on tax cheats. Specifically linked to offshore tax havens, the CRA is currently conducting audits on over 750 taxpayers and criminally investigating 20 cases of tax evasion.

Today’s announcement builds on the government’s $444 million investment to provide the Canada Revenue Agency with more resources and tools to identify and curb offshore tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance. The Government of Canada today reiterated its commitment to cracking down on tax cheats and those who choose to participate in tax schemes, through increased collaboration with international partners.

Quotes

“Hiding income and assets in foreign jurisdictions to avoid paying taxes is a serious issue that robs all hard-working Canadians of important services. By increasing our collaboration with our international partners, Canada is taking an active role in ensuring a fairer tax system, where tax cheats face consequences for their actions. This government has promised to pursue tax cheats and with the help of our international partners and concrete action at home, I can say that we are closing in on them.”

- The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, P.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue

Quick facts

• Regarding the Panama Papers, the CRA has several ongoing audits and is pursuing criminal investigations in some instances. Search warrants were recently executed by the CRA and these investigations are ongoing. The Agency is working in partnership with domestic partners such as the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on these matters.

• In May 2016, following reports that a financial institution and its subsidiaries were associated with approximately 375 shell companies mentioned in the Panama Papers, the CRA applied to the Federal Court for authorization to issue an Unnamed Persons Requirement seeking information from this particular Canadian financial institution. The CRA has now received part of the information it requested, with more on the way later this fall, and is reviewing and cross-referencing the data with information already obtained by the Agency. The CRA will take the necessary compliance actions where appropriate.

• The CRA has been collecting information on all international Electronic Funds Transfers over $10,000, including those involving Panama and other jurisdictions of concern. Specifically regarding the Isle of Man, 3000 Electronic Funds Transfers totalling $860M in a 12 month period were reviewed. These involved approximately 800 taxpayers. Approximately 350 individuals and 400 entities have been contacted and as a result of this review, 60 audits are currently underway. The CRA is also reviewing other jurisdictions.

• In Budget 2016, the government committed to provide the CRA with the necessary tools to combat offshore tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance. Beginning this fall, the CRA will be launching the hiring process to add new tax professionals to its already robust audit team. These individuals will assist in auditing high-risk multinational corporations and unravelling complex offshore schemes to crack down on tax cheats, a strategy that will collect an estimated additional $500 million in revenue over five years.

• The CRA encourages Canadians to come forward through the Offshore Informant Program (OTIP), if they have any information pertaining to tax evasion/tax avoidance. As of July 31st, 2016, the OTIP has received 868 calls from potential informants and an additional 361 written submissions. Due to information received through this program, over 180 taxpayers are currently under audit.

Associated Links

• Government of Canada cracks down on tax evasion

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Le gouvernement du Canada collabore avec ses partenaires internationaux en vue de lutter contre l'évasion fiscale à l'étranger Le 7 septembre 2016 Ottawa Agence du revenu du Canada

La plupart des Canadiens paient leur juste part d’impôt, mais certains Canadiens fortunés parviennent à ne pas payer ce qu’ils doivent. Cette situation doit changer afin de s’assurer que le régime fiscal est plus souple et plus juste pour tous les Canadiens.

L’honorable Diane Lebouthillier, ministre du Revenu national, a aujourd’hui souligné la participation du Canada au Centre d’information conjoint sur les abris fiscaux internationaux (CICAFI). Au cours de l’annonce, la ministre a insisté sur la nécessité d’échanger des données entre les partenaires internationaux du Canada en vue de repérer et de contrer les stratagèmes fiscaux, ainsi que de traduire en justice les personnes qui choisissent de recourir à de telles tactiques.

En tant que membre fondateur du CICAFI – un réseau de plus de 30 administrations fiscales – le Canada travaille en étroite collaboration avec ses homologues internationaux afin de coordonner les activités d’observation fiscale touchant l’ensemble des risques en matière d’impôt international.

Le Canada collabore avec ses partenaires internationaux afin de faire face à ces menaces par la collaboration conjointe et continuera de recueillir et d’échanger une quantité croissante de données. En plus de ces efforts mondiaux, les pays respectifs prennent des mesures à l’encontre des activités criminelles et civiles à l’échelle nationale.

La ministre Lebouthillier a également souligné les mesures concrètes que l’Agence du revenu du Canada (ARC) prend ici, au Canada, en vue de lutter contre la fraude fiscale. En ce qui concerne les paradis fiscaux à l’étranger, l’ARC mène actuellement des vérifications à l’égard de plus de 750 contribuables et effectue des enquêtes criminelles sur 20 cas d’évasion fiscale.

L’annonce d’aujourd’hui mise sur l’investissement du gouvernement de 444 millions de dollars visant à fournir à l’ARC plus de ressources et d’outils pour repérer et contrer l’évasion fiscale à l’étranger et l’évitement fiscal abusif. Le gouvernement du Canada a aujourd’hui réitéré son engagement à sévir contre la fraude fiscale et les personnes qui choisissent de participer à des stratagèmes fiscaux, et ce, en collaborant davantage avec ses partenaires internationaux.

Citations

« La dissimulation de revenus et de biens à l’étranger en vue d’éviter de payer des impôts est un problème grave qui prive les travailleurs acharnés du Canada d’importants services. En collaborant davantage avec ses partenaires internationaux, le Canada joue un rôle actif pour ce qui est de s’assurer que le régime fiscal est plus équitable, où les fraudeurs de l’impôt font face aux conséquences de leurs actes. Ce gouvernement a promis de poursuivre les fraudeurs de l’impôt et, avec l’aide de nos partenaires internationaux et de mesures concrètes prises dans le pays, je peux dire que nous nous rapprochons d’eux. »

- L’honorable Diane Lebouthillier, C.P., députée, ministre du Revenu national

Les faits en bref

• En ce qui concerne les Panama Papers, l’ARC a plusieurs vérifications en cours et poursuit des enquêtes criminelles dans certains cas. Des mandats de perquisition ont récemment été exécutés par l’ARC, et les enquêtes sont en cours. L’Agence travaille en collaboration avec des partenaires nationaux, tels que le Centre d’analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada et la Gendarmerie royale du Canada.

• En mai 2016, à la suite de reportages selon lesquels une institution financière et ses filiales étaient associées à environ 375 sociétés fictives mentionnées dans les Panama Papers, l’ARC a demandé à la Cour fédérale l’autorisation de délivrer une demande péremptoire à l’égard de personnes non désignées nommément, cherchant à obtenir des renseignements auprès de cette institution financière canadienne. L’ARC a maintenant reçu une partie des renseignements demandés. D’autres renseignements sont prévus à l’automne. L’ARC est à examiner ces renseignements et à effectuer des renvois croisés de ceux-ci avec des données qu’elle a déjà obtenues. Des mesures d’observation seront prises, s’il y a lieu.

• L’ARC a recueilli de l’information sur tous les télévirements internationaux de plus de 10 000 $, dont ceux vers le Panama et les autres juridictions qui éveillent des soupçons. Plus particulièrement en ce qui concerne l’île de Man, 3 000 télévirements totalisant 860 millions de dollars au cours d’une période de 12 mois ont été examinés. Ceux-ci concernaient environ 800 contribuables. L’ARC a communiqué avec environ 350 particuliers et 400 entités. En raison de cet examen, 60 vérifications sont en cours. D’autres juridictions font également l’objet d’un examen.

• Dans le budget de 2016, le gouvernement s’est engagé à fournir à l’ARC les outils dont elle a besoin pour combattre l’évasion fiscale à l’étranger et l’évitement fiscal abusif. À compter de l’automne 2016, l’ARC lancera le processus de dotation visant à embaucher de nouveaux professionnels de l’impôt pour son équipe de vérification qui est déjà solide. Ces professionnels de l’impôt aideront à vérifier les sociétés multinationales à risque élevé et à élucider des stratagèmes fiscaux complexes à l’étranger pour contrer la fraude fiscale, une stratégie qui permettra de recouvrer des revenus supplémentaires d’environ 500 millions de dollars sur une période de cinq ans.

• L’ARC encourage les Canadiens à se manifester au moyen du Programme de dénonciateurs de l’inobservation fiscale à l’étranger (PDIFE) s’ils détiennent des renseignements au sujet de l’évasion fiscale et de l’évitement fiscal. Au 31 juillet 2016, le PDIFE avait reçu 868 appels de dénonciateurs possibles et 361 présentations écrites. Plus de 180 contribuables font actuellement l’objet d’une vérification, selon les renseignements reçus dans le cadre du PDIFE.

Liens connexes

• Le gouvernement du Canada s’attaque à l’évasion fiscale

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Arrestations et perquisitions en lien avec le trafic de stupéfiants 29 juin 2016

Les Escouades régionales mixtes de l’Estrie et de Granby, dans le cadre du projet Muraille, procèdent actuellement à une série d’arrestations et de perquisitions dans la région de Granby et les environs, en lien avec les stupéfiants.

Les policiers ont procédé à l’arrestation de 47 personnes. Les suspects comparaîtront au palais de justice de Sherbrooke cet après-midi et demain. Ils pourraient faire face à des accusations de trafic de stupéfiants, possession dans le but d’en faire le trafic, infraction au profit d’une organisation criminelle et trafic de biens criminellement obtenus. D’autres arrestations pourraient survenir en cours d’enquête.

En plus de ces arrestations, 53 mandats de perquisition ont été exécutés dans des résidences et des commerces ainsi que 29 perquisitions ont été exécutés dans des véhicules. Un bilan des saisies sera émis ultérieurement.

Cette enquête, qui a été initiée en août 2013, vise le démantèlement d’une organisation criminelle qui contrôle les territoires de Bromont, Cowansville, Farnham, Granby, Waterloo et leurs régions environnantes, au niveau de l’approvisionnement, de la distribution et du trafic de différentes drogues.

L’opération d’aujourd’hui mobilise près de 500 policiers provenant de la Sûreté du Québec, du Service de police Sherbrooke, du Service de police de Memphrémagog, du Service de police de Bromont, du Service de police de Granby, ainsi que de la Police provinciale de l’Ontario. Elle est réalisée également en collaboration avec l’organisme CANAFE (Centre d'analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada).

Toute information sur ce type d’activité criminelle peut être transmise, en tout temps et de façon confidentielle, à la Centrale de l’information criminelle de la Sûreté du Québec au 1 800 659-4264.


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11. RCMP [ 2016-06-16 ]

RCMP lay charges in connection with Ontario Provincial Police Association investigation (Toronto, Ontario – June 16th 2016) - Following a nineteen month investigation by the RCMP Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Units into allegations of improper conduct by former senior employees of the Ontario Provincial Police Association and persons acting in concert with them, criminal charges were laid today in the City of Toronto.

The following persons have been charged with Fraud over $5000 and Laundering the Proceeds of Crime:

Karl WALSH (52) of West Gwillimbury, James CHRISTIE (48) of Midland, Martin BAIN (50) of Oro-Medonte, Andrew McKAY (54) of Toronto, and Francis CHANTIAM (60) of New Jersey, USA.

These individuals will make their initial court appearance at Old City Hall Courts, 60 Queen Street West, Toronto, on July 18th, 2016.

The RCMP would like to acknowledge the support and assistance The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) provided in this investigation.

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La GRC porte des accusations relativement à l’enquête sur l’Association de la Police provinciale de l’Ontario (Toronto, Ontario, le 16 juin 2016) – À la suite d’une enquête de 19 mois menée par l’unité des crimes financiers et l’unité anticorruption de la GRC en rapport à des allégations d’inconduite concernant d’anciens employés de longue date de l’Association de la Police provinciale de l’Ontario et des personnes ayant agi de concert avec eux, des accusations criminelles ont été portées aujourd’hui à Toronto.

Les personnes suivantes ont été accusées d’avoir commis des fraudes de plus de 5 000 $ et d’avoir participé au blanchiment de produits de la criminalité :

Karl WALSH (52 ans), de West Gwillimbury James CHRISTIE (48 ans), de Midland Martin BAIN (50 ans), d’Oro-Medonte Andrew McKAY (54 ans), de Toronto Francis CHANTIAM (60 ans), du New Jersey, aux États-Unis

Ces personnes devront comparaître en cours pour une première fois à l’ancien hôtel de ville de Toronto, au 60 Queen Street West, le 18 juillet 2016.

La GRC tient à souligner l’aide du Centre d'analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE) dans l’enquête.

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12. RCMP [ 2016-06-10 ]

Calgary RCMP charge two Calgary real estate developers with fraud and theft Calgary, Alta. (June 10, 2016) – In March 2012, the Calgary RCMP entered into an investigation involving allegations of investment fraud at the Bridgecreek Development Corporation.

The alleged offences pertain to the unlawful diversion of investor funds raised by Bridgecreek Development Corporation for a proposed real estate development at Crowsnest Lake in the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, Alberta in 2006 and 2007. The financial loss to investors exceeded $33 Million.

Due to the scope and complexities of the investigation, which has affected in access of 800 investors throughout Alberta, RCMP received assistance from the Forensic Accounting Management Group (FAMG), a division of Public Services and Procurement Canada. Further support was provided by Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

We have now concluded our investigation and charges have been sworn.

William Lloyd Bradley, (M) 68, and Colin Joseph Becker (M) 49, both of Calgary, Alberta, have been jointly charged with committing fraud and theft contrary to sections 380(1)(a) and 334(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada. Becker and Bradley were Officers and Directors of Bridgecreek Development Corporation at the time the offences occurred.

William Bradley and Colin Becker have been released from custody and will be making their first court appearance in Calgary on Aug. 11, 2016.

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La GRC de Calgary accuse deux promoteurs immobiliers de Calgary de fraude et de vol Calgary (Alberta), le 10 juin 2016 – En mars 2012, la GRC de Calgary a lancé une enquête sur des allégations de fraude liée aux placements à la société de développement Bridgecreek Development Corporation.

Les infractions présumées portent sur le détournement illégal de fonds recueillis auprès d’investisseurs par la société Bridgecreek Development Corporation pour un projet immobilier proposé sur le lac Crowsnest, dans la municipalité de Crowsnest Pass, en Alberta en 2006 et 2007. Les investisseurs ont subi des pertes financières de plus de 33 millions de dollars.

En raison de l’envergure et de la complexité de l’enquête, qui touche plus de 800 investisseurs en Alberta, la GRC a reçu l’aide du Groupe de gestion juricomptable (GGJ) de Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada. La GRC a aussi bénéficié du soutien du Centre d’analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE) et du Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) des États-Unis.

L’enquête est maintenant terminée et des accusations ont été déposées.

William Lloyd Bradley, 68 ans, et Colin Joseph Becker, 49 ans, tous deux de Calgary, en Alberta, sont tous deux accusés de fraude et de vol en violation des alinéas 380(1)a) et 334a) du Code criminel. Becker et Bradley étaient dirigeants et administrateurs de la société Bridgecreek Development Corporation au moment des infractions.

William Bradley et Colin Becker ont été libérés et comparaîtront à Calgary le 11 août 2016.

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13. RCMP [ 2016-06-07 ]

Calgary RCMP and Calgary Police Service join forces to take down Fraudsters (copy of news release was not published on RCMP’s website in E/F)

Calgary, Alta – In December 2013 the RCMP Calgary Serious and Organized Crime team entered into an investigation involving a number of alleged financing frauds. Due to the scope of the investigation, the RCMP and Calgary Police Service Economic Crime Unit combined resources to target those alleged to be involved. This joint forces investigation has resulted in four individuals and one business being charged with fraud and money laundering. Support was also provided by The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). The offences include a series of mortgage and vehicle financing frauds.

We have now concluded our investigation and charges have been sworn against the following:

Giovanni Bartolotti, (m) 46 of Calgary, Alberta has been charged with conspiring to commit the indictable offense of fraud over $5000.00, contrary to section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code and conspiring to commit the indictable offense of laundering of proceeds of crime, contrary to section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code and 14 additional (fraud related) criminal code offences.

Kalim Khan, (m) 41 of Calgary, Alberta has been charged with conspiring to commit the indictable offense of fraud over $5000.00, contrary to section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code and conspiring to commit the indictable offense of laundering of proceeds of crime, contrary to section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code and 10 additional (fraud related) criminal code offences.

Lindsay Tietz, (m) 31 of Calgary, Alberta has been charged with two counts of having in his possession proceeds of crime, contrary to section 354 of the Criminal Code. A warrant of arrest has been issued for Lindsay Tietz and is being sought by police.

Linh Tran, (f) 37 of Calgary, Alberta has been charged with conspiring to commit the indictable offense of fraud over $5000.00, contrary to section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code and conspiring to commit the indictable offense of laundering of proceeds of crime, contrary to section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code and 19 additional (fraud related) criminal code offences.

The business charged is a numbered company, 1755569 Alberta Ltd of Calgary, Alberta controlled by Linh Tran. The business is charged with having in its possession money exceeding $5000.00, contrary to section 354 of the Criminal Code and transporting money exceeding $5000.00, with intent to conceal or convert that property, contrary to section 462.31 of the Criminal Code.

The offences occurred between September 2013 and December 2014 and victimized financial institutions, private lenders, and home owners in amounts exceeding $1 million dollars.

“Fraud is not a victimless crime. It can have long lasting implications for victims whose identities or financial information is stolen,” says Staff Sgt. Kristie Verheul, Calgary Police Service Economic Crimes Unit. “These investigations would not be successful without diligence from the public, financial institutions and our partner agencies such as the RCMP. Fraud is multi-jurisdictional and it’s critical we work together to find those responsible, no matter where they live and operate.”

Inspector K.C.A. (Allan) Lai, Acting Officer-in-Charge, RCMP Federal Policing South said "The RCMP Federal Policing - Financial Integrity Teams are determined to detect and prevent threats to the Canadian economy and seek to protect Canadians and their governments from financial crimes perpetrated by organized crime and others. This is another great example of the partnership formed between the RCMP and the Calgary Police Service. The results’ of this investigation demonstrates how the RCMP and the Calgary Police Service work effectively together to keep our communities safe from white-collar criminals. Thank you to all the officers involved in bringing this investigation to an end. This success is a credit to our great partnership."

Giovanni Bartolotti, Kalim Khan and Linh Tran have been released from custody and will be making their first court appearance in Calgary Queens Bench court on August 11, 2016.

If you have any information regarding the current location of Lindsay Tietz, please contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or Calgarycrimestoppers.org.

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14. ACAMS TODAY [ 2016-05-27 ]

Peter Warrack and Constable Lepa Jankovic: Raising Awareness about Human Trafficking ACAMS Today had the opportunity to speak with Peter J. Warrack, CAMS, CFE, from the Bank of Montreal (BMO) and with Constable Lepa Jankovic with the Hamilton-Niagara Financial Crime section about their fight against human trafficking (HT) and sexual slavery and what they are currently doing to bring awareness to these horrific crimes.

Warrack is currently director of risk intelligence for BMO anti-money laundering (AML). Warrack leads a highly trained, multicultural team of investigators drawn from banking and law enforcement where he is involved in major crime investigations and management, training and intelligence analysis. Prior to joining BMO Financial Group, Warrack headed up Royal Bank of Canada’s Investigations Unit in the AML FIU. Until 2002, he served as a senior officer and detective with the Northern Ireland police during the height of the ‘Troubles.’ He previously served in the British Army in an intelligence capacity.

In Canada, Warrack has been a proponent of joint/law enforcement investigations and has been actively involved with law enforcement in the legal sharing of information and best practices, which has resulted in numerous arrests, the interdiction of crime and the prevention of fraud losses.

In addition, Warrack has a master’s degree in organization and management and he has published and presented on the subjects of AML/fraud investigations and risk mitigation and he teaches these subjects at Seneca College. Known as ‘a practical academic,’ he strives for consistency of approach among the professions, common standards and shared best practices. Warrack’s contribution to the AML industry was recognized by his peers in 2011 when he received the ACAMS Professional of the Year Award.

Constable Jankovic began working for the Canadian Federal Government in 1996 as a customs officer in Niagara Falls. In 1999, she joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and was assigned to general duties on a small island in Nova Scotia. Due to her Eastern European background and ability with languages, she transferred to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit in Toronto where she was in charge of the Criminal Visa Screening Unit for the Eastern European Organized Crime Unit. Constable Jankovic successfully led this small unit into a national unit based out of Ottawa.

Moreover, Constable Jankovic worked for the Immigration and Passport Section of the Hamilton-Niagara RCMP detachment where she was the lead investigator on Project OPAPA which is dubbed as Canada’s largest HT investigation to go before Canadian courts. Currently, Constable Jankovic is an investigator with the Hamilton-Niagara Financial Crime Section and she is preparing for a transfer to the Sensitive and International Investigations Unit in Ottawa.

ACAMS Today: How did you become involved in fighting human trafficking (HT)?

Peter Warrack: Hearing Timea Nagy, (a victim of HT and sexual slavery) speak at the December 2015 ACAMS Conference in Toronto broke my heart, opened my eyes and strengthened my resolve to do

something about it. I realized that I had been blissfully ignorant of the criminal connotations to the barrage of adult classified ads we are exposed to on a daily basis in newspapers and online and that these ads are the public face of a sinister underground economy exploiting people like Timea. To me the ‘C’ in ACAMS stands also for ‘Committed’ AML professional and I knew in the room at that conference there were numerous like-minded people who could collectively make a real difference. I stepped up to the microphone and effectively said, “Leave it with us.” No sooner had I sat down when Canada’s FIU (FINTRAC) said they wanted to be part of it, John Byrne of ACAMS said, “Whatever you need” and peers in all the major banks signed up before we left the room.

AT: Could you please tell us about the unique public-private partnership that is in progress in Canada to address the crimes of HT and sexual slavery and how it came about?

PW: The major banks, FINTRAC and law enforcement (federally and municipally) have come together in partnership under a common banner and the official launch was on January 19, 2016. A lot of work was done prior to this by the partners. For instance, they worked together to quantify the problem, explore the use of technology to identify human traffickers and began to further educate AML staff in financial institutions. At the January meeting we agreed on a two-pronged strategy of education and awareness and the identification of suspected traffickers for the attention of law enforcement actions and continuous feedback between the partners regarding evolving indicators and red flags.

AT: It sounds like a lot has already been achieved, can you expand on what else has also happened?

PW: Several things. It quickly became apparent how siloed the efforts of both law enforcement and various charities and community groups are in this space—all united with common purpose and good hearts, but fragmented in their approaches and often unaware of each other’s efforts. For example, at the federal level, HT is investigated regionally; in other words, a particular region may investigate a case but be unaware that the same suspects are being investigated in other parts of Canada. The irony is that as banks identify suspected traffickers through their transactional activity we see frequent movement of suspected traffickers between major cities in Canada and sometimes on a weekly basis. Thus, traffickers are not limited by jurisdictional boundaries. The good news is that by working with Lepa, in particular, we have managed to introduce law enforcement HT departments to each other and bring them in under the partnership. We have collectively shared significant educational materials between the partners and this has had tangible results in providing FINTRAC with information, which has been shared as intelligence to law enforcement. At the Toronto ACAMS Chapter HT/Sexual Slavery Event in April 2016, FINTRAC advised that in the three months since this partnership was launched, disclosures to law enforcement in 2016 equal those for all of the previous year (an increase of 400 percent). We’re very proud of that. I can’t praise FINTRAC’s contribution enough.

Finally, law enforcement and the Federal Crown have started to explore innovative ways to prosecute HT/sexual slavery cases using money laundering (ML) legislation as opposed to having to call victims to give evidence and be subjected to gruelling and intrusive cross examination and in effect, be victimized

all over again. Argentina has taken the lead in this area and in my opinion this offers real hope. Lepa can talk more about that.

AT: Lepa, could you please expand on the innovative ways the Federal Crown (federal prosecutor) is exploring to prosecute HT?

Lepa Jankovic: In all the different genres and levels of international versus domestic cases, women victims versus male victims and how we push a case through the court, it is always the same problem: The victim is not able to make it to the court dates. So how do we get around this? How do we handle a large HT investigation without actually putting the victim on the stand? I’ve been asking this for years now. It comes down to money just like every crime, whether it is drugs, diamonds or human beings. So why don’t we go after these traffickers and their money instead of revictimizing these victims over and over again?

We started to look at the ML legislation under the Criminal Code and reviewing how we can apply this to HT like any other crime. Why aren’t we looking at laundering of proceeds from HT, which is a crime and also part of organized crime? We could also be looking at organized crime charges. In the past we have looked at organized crime charges and we actually succeeded in laying organized crime for the purposes of HT. In the case where we succeeded using organized crime charges, many people were shocked to hear that it wasn’t even for the sex trade. It was for male labor. Men were taken to Canada for the purposes of trafficking them in the labor field in Canada. We prosecuted that case in Ontario and we had convictions on 13 traffickers all through the organized crime of HT. It was the first case ever in Canada, but it happened and we had a conviction for it.

Peter mentioned earlier about a case in Argentina. In Argentina they had the very first case of ML convictions for HT. An article said they were able to use the ML legislation in their court for the HT case and they were successful. I don’t have the details on this as this is relatively new, but I would actually like to get the verdict from the judge to see what his statement was on this case. In the article, Prosecutor Carlos Gonella told La Nación that, “As in all organized crime, you have to attack the profits of the organization. Prison time for the guilty is important, but going after their money is critical to ending this type of crime.”1

PW: HT is a crime like any other crime. You launder proceeds of that crime and that is money laundering and that’s reportable to FINTRAC. So, HT is a predicate offense and can be reportable through FINTRAC. I would encourage other jurisdictions at the state and federal level to get together with law enforcement, FinCEN, banks and locally at the ACAMS chapter level to raise this as an issue. In addition, educate yourself and bring yourself up to speed on the latest indicators and trends. There is great opportunity within the ACAMS chapters for information sharing.

AT: How do you stop HT once you discover a case?

LJ: Police officers across the country who are involved in HT investigations know that it is extremely important to have your victim on board. If you don’t have a statement from your victim stating that they

were trafficked, you don’t have a case. The first challenge you have is breaking down the victim’s barrier and having the victim come forward and stating their exploitation to law enforcement. It is so difficult to get a young girl to tell us what happened to her. This has been a common theme throughout all investigations. Even if she does come forward and tells us what happened, how she was recruited, exploited, beaten and forced into prostitution and had everything taken from her, we still have to take her to court. It’s like a drug case. In a drug case your evidence is a bag of cocaine. With the cocaine evidence you can come back to it in a few years, blow off the dust and bring it before a judge. But with HT, your evidence is a human being. You can’t put her on a shelf. So, how does the victim continue through this process for two years and then bring herself before a judge? It is a very difficult task to do.

AT: How can we help victims through the trial process?

LJ: Through associations we have with non-governmental organizations (NGOs). For example, Free Them. Free Them is a great NGO we have here in Canada. Another one is Walk With Me and there are many more that we have across the country. The problem we have is trying to find housing for these young women and men. It is not always best to keep them in the area where they were trafficked because traffickers tend to find them again and lure them back. It sounds crazy to believe that these victims would even go back, but these traffickers have these chains on the minds of these victims and they manage to lure them back. So trying to find a location far enough away and finding someone who is going to take care of a girl who has been raped over and over again for months and would have had up to 15 clients a day is tough.

People can most definitely volunteer to help the victim through this difficult time with the help of NGOs. For instance, we have had cases where victims were foreign nationals and did not speak the language. So, if they don’t speak French or English we have to find someone who can translate. For example, trying to find a Hungarian translator for someone was not an easy task 10 years ago. Today it is much easier and there are people who have translated for us over the years.

Also, the survivors that succeed are those survivors who have had great support from NGOs, from police officers and law enforcement. Some law enforcement officers keep in contact with their victims after they find them. Trust is very important for these cases. You have the trust of law enforcement, the trust of the NGO, the trust of the system and of the prosecution as well. For the cases we have had, our prosecutor has actually met with the victims themselves and sat down with them to discuss the court proceedings. So having a strong prosecution team when you are dealing with victims of HT is essential to having a successful case in the court system.

AT: Peter spoke earlier about Timea and her tragic experience, how can we help survivors and how can we work alongside them to fight this horrific crime?

LJ: There is the prevention before the victim even becomes a victim. There are predators looking for victims. The key is to educate young women—and men for that matter—across our country about these predators. It is difficult to educate a 12 or 13 year old about this because they don’t really understand that this can happen to them. At that age if somebody treats you well and they say they love you—you

fall for it. It is hard to tell a 13 year old that “He doesn’t love you” and that “He is actually a predator.” Awareness and prevention prior to anybody being trafficked is vital and our NGOs are doing this. NGOs are going to schools and speaking to young people. Awareness is out there and HT awareness is much more in the public today than it was 10 years ago. Twenty five years ago you would see a girl being prostituted on the street corner and that was where girls were being bought and sold. Today that street corner does not exist. The street corner is now on the internet. You no longer see it on the streets because they are hidden in hotel rooms. Given this, people do not even think HT exists. It is a crime that is very difficult to talk about when you don’t even see it.

PW: But they are also hidden in plain sight. And they aren’t just kept in sleazy outlying hotels. I could be sitting on the 28th floor of a brand name hotel and there could be people sitting in their rooms waiting for the next “client” to come in. There has been this huge upsurge in education and awareness on the one hand and that’s great. But on the other hand, every day you are exposed to these HT ads in the local paper. There’s a big gap between the two.

AT: What can FIs do to prevent HT?

PW: Keep the problem and the extent and seriousness of it alive through continuing education.

At the front line level, education and awareness is important. For example, if a girl is brought into a bank by someone else—woman or a man—who is translating for them to open an account, make sure you question what is going on there. Be alert to it. The second level is for AML investigators and transaction monitoring teams to be alert to what they are seeing in people’s transactions and their profiles. Since we have started increasing the training in this area, our filings have increased considerably. It is important to be alert and to get the message out. Any one of the major banks in Canada has the opportunity to educate 50,000 employees at a time and that translates to being alert and aware.

AT: What can law enforcement do?

LJ: You have to understand what HT is about, how it functions and how it works if you are going to investigate it. For example, what are you looking for as an AML investigator when you are looking for HT indicators? The HT that occurred 15 years ago has progressed. It is not just one avenue on the internet. There are a number of avenues (or platforms) on the internet that these traffickers are using to advertise the sex trade online. It is a matter of knowing how to identify what is trafficking, its indicators, what it is not and how that applies to the AML investigator.

PW: Continue to share best practices, latest indicators, trends and what to look for.

AT: Lepa, you were involved in OPAPA, Canada’s largest HT investigation, can you tell us about your involvement and how you were able to catch the traffickers?

LJ: The case was called OPAPA because the victims came from a small town in Hungary called Papa and the O stands for Ontario. I was the lead investigator on that investigation along with my partner. The two of us worked on it for nearly two years. The victims in the case were men who were brought to Canada

for labor. Many looked at this as a labor dispute investigation and not as an HT investigation. But these men were being trafficked. It was a very hard sell in the court to show that these men were actually victims because one would say, “How can a grown man be a victim? They can just walk out of the basement and go home.”

But it is the chains that are held on the minds of these victims by these traffickers that prevent them from leaving. They don’t know the language, they don’t know anybody here, they don’t have a key, they have no money, they don’t have their documents and everything was taken from them and they are being threatened. The same indicators that you have for female victims are present. The difference is that there weren’t any sex acts in the trafficking and it was strictly for their labor. The reason why this case was so successful was because of Timea. Without her this case would not have made it to the courts. She worked with all 23 victims on the case. She took them under her care found them a place to live, had them fed and made sure that they had their financial obligations taken care of. She did that for them for the entire two years. It was a lot of work for her. We had funding from NGOs such as Free Them and Niagara Regional Police had a fund that they donated to our safe house for our victims. That was very helpful in the prosecution to keep the victims on board. The prosecution team looked at this investigation as fraud. We needed to follow the paper trail to show that these men were telling the truth, to show that these men were being defrauded and that they were brought to Canada under false pretense. They were being promised one thing overseas, but when they came here they found something else. We had to show the court that they were being defrauded in order to show that it was HT. And it worked. It worked so well that it showed that the traffickers worked together and organized the trafficking of these men to Canada for a different purpose than what they were told. We proved this through the documentation, airline tickets that were purchased, the invitation letters that were written and the information that was given to immigration when they arrived here. It was a big project, but we managed to obtain convictions on every suspect. And this was for participating in an organized crime group for the purposes of trafficking in persons. So once again we moved away from the victim and looked at the money. We obtained banking information to show how money was moved. However, we mainly showed how the people were moved around on paper and the lies that were told from one document to the next.

AT: What is the biggest misconception society has about HT?

PW: In Canada, the vast majority of victims are not trafficked from abroad, but are recruited domestically. They are vulnerable people from fractured homes, befriended at shopping malls and the like.

LJ: Ten years ago most people were just surprised to hear that we had HT in Canada. But today, the biggest misconception is people think that the victims of HT in Canada are foreign nationals being brought to our country. However, it is actually domestic girls. Domestic girls are the number one victims that we find across the country that are being trafficked. Something that is even more surprising is that people are astonished to hear that the average age of entry into the sex trade is 13 years old.

AT: What type of clients seek out trafficked victims?

LJ: There is a book called The Johns: Sex for Sale and the Men Who Buy It, written by Victor Malarek. The book tells us that the Johns—or clients—are a variety pack of people that actually seek out the sex trade to find sex workers. Johns can be married men, younger men, older men and any ethnic background. There’s no special “poster child” of the John.

AT: What other types of crimes have you discovered that are linked to HT?

PW: Some additional crimes are drug trafficking, credit fraud, (using the victims’ identities), etc.

LJ: Those are the common ones you would expect, but there are others such as kidnapping and sexual assault. The charges we forget about is organized crime and conspiracy. They are very important, especially if the trafficker/suspect is a foreign national in Canada. I am not sure how this plays out in America, but in Canada if the trafficker is a foreign national and they are convicted of trafficking people in our country and we add an organized crime charge on top of that, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, may be able to deport these people because they are involved in organized crime. For example, for Project OPAPA, CBSA deported suspects charged for organized crime for the purposes of HT. They deported each one of those people except for one because he was a Canadian citizen. But the remainder of them were foreign nationals in our country. Whether they were a landed immigrant, on a refugee claim, or a successful refugee claimant, they were deported from the country because of that organized crime charge.

AT: Where can we go to report HT or where can we obtain more information?

LJ: I like to think of things internationally and look at what is going on across the world with HT. I like to go to the U.S. tip report out of the U.S. State Department and I read it every year. I look for the key countries I want to read about. It shows what the pulse is of HT in countries around the world and how people are moved from country to country. What is interesting in Canada is that we are told we have foreign nationals in our country that are being trafficked. We have one conviction in Canada for HT relating to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. We need to have a better pulse on the foreign nationals in our country that are being trafficked. The U.S. tip report provides much information regarding that theme itself. Another place—and I love this NGO—is Free Them. They have a wealth of information on what’s going on every single day on HT. I get their tweets on what’s happening across the country and the world. They are up-to-date on everything that is going on and are linked in with their members of parliament, and with movie producers. They provide a lot of information on a regular basis.

Interviewed by: Karla Monterrosa-Yancey, CAMS, editor-in-chief, ACAMS, Miami, FL, USA, [email protected]

Sam Tabory, “Argentina Follows the Money in Human trafficking Investigations,” InSight Crime, February 8, 2016, http://www.insightcrime.org/news-briefs/argentina-follows-money-in-human-trafficking-investigations

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15. Toronto Police Service [ 2016-05-17 ]

Three people arrested in "Project Lotto," Joint investigation with OPP Tuesday, May 17, 2016

23 Division 416-808-2363 Case #: 2016-768461

The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of arrests in Project Lotto.

It is alleged that:

- illegal gaming was occurring at Lena's Nail Salon on 1530 Albion Road and Nails For You Salon on 6210 Finch Ave West

Over the past several months police officers from the Project Lotto investigative team conducted a criminal investigation into two nail salon businesses operating illegal lottery schemes in the Rexdale area.

This investigation was initiated due to information received from community complaints and the City of Toronto Bylaw office.

The investigative team was led by the Toronto Police 23 Division Community Response Unit, officers from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB)-Gaming Unit, and the Toronto Police Asset Forfeiture Unit. Support was provided by officers from 31 Division, Forensic Identification Services, TAVIS and employees from The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).

Between Friday, May 13, 2016, and Sunday, May 15, 2016, a total of six criminal code search warrants were executed in businesses, homes and financial institutions. A total of $87,955 in proceeds was seized during Project Lotto.

On Friday, May 13, 2016, Thi Nguyen, 50; Thao Hihn, 59; and Nha Huynh, 42; all of Toronto, were arrested.

Thi Nguyen, 50, was charged with:

1) Illegal Lottery (conducts) 2) Keep Common Betting/Gaming House 3) three counts of Possession Proceeds Of Property Obtained By Crime 4) Unlawfully Make/Print Scheme or Plan for lottery

Thao Hinh, 59, was charged with:

1) Illegal Lottery (conducts) 2) Keep Common Betting/Gaming House 3) two counts of Possession Proceeds Of Property Obtained By Crime 4) Unlawfully Make/Print Scheme or Plan for Lottery

Nha Huynh, 42, was charged with:

1) Keep Common Gaming/Betting House 2) two counts of Possession Proceeds Of Property Obtained By Crime

All three are scheduled o appear in court 2201 Finch Avenue West, on Friday, June 24, 2016, 1 p.m., room 202.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant Brian Beadman at 416-808-2363, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

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16. RCMP / GRC [ 2016-03-29 ]

RCMP Integrated National Security Enforcement Team lays terrorism charge against Kevin Omar Mohamed March 29, 2016, Ottawa, Ontario – Today, as part of an extensive national security criminal investigation named Project SWAP, the RCMP Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) in Toronto laid a terrorism charge against Kevin Omar Mohamed, under section 83.18 of the Criminal Code, for participating in the activity of a terrorist group.

This investigation was first initiated in August of 2015, after determining that Mohamed had travelled to Turkey on or around April 24, 2014 to join Jabhat Al-Nusra, a listed terrorist entity in Canada. Mohamed subsequently returned to Canada on or around May 24, 2014.

“Thanks to our collaborative efforts through our INSET partners, we were able to not only disrupt this threat to our country’s national security, but also to bring this individual before the Canadian justice system. In this sense, we would like to acknowledge the valuable contribution of our INSET partners, including the Durham Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police as well as the Canadian Security Intelligence Service,” stated Assistant Commissioner James Malizia, officer in charge of the RCMP’s Federal Policing Operations. “The RCMP would also like to thank the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) for their precious collaboration in this investigation.”

Mohamed was initially arrested by the RCMP on March 25, 2016 where he was the subject of a Peace Bond ordered under Section 810.011, and charged with weapons offences. At no time during the course of this investigation was there any risk to public safety.

As Canada’s national police force, the RCMP works with our partners to ensure the comprehensive and timely response to terrorist criminal activity and national security criminal investigations both at home and abroad. The RCMP encourages citizens to remain vigilant and to report any information on terrorism or related suspicious activities to the National Security Information Network at 1-800-420-5805 or by contacting the police in their community.

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L’Équipe intégrée de la sécurité nationale de la GRC dépose une accusation de terrorisme contre Kevin Omar Mohamed 29 mars 2016, Ottawa, Ontario – Aujourd’hui, à la suite d’une enquête criminelle exhaustive relative à la sécurité nationale nommée le Projet SWAP, l’Équipe intégrée de la sécurité nationale (EISN) de la GRC à Toronto a déposé une accusation de terrorisme contre Kevin Omar Mohamed en vertu de l’article 83.18 du Code criminel du Canada, pour participation à une activité d’un groupe terroriste.

Cette enquête avait été initiée en août 2015, lorsqu’il avait été déterminé que Mohamed avait voyagé en Turquie en date ou autour du 24 avril 2014 pour se joindre à Jabhat Al-Nusra, une entité terroriste inscrite au Canada. Mohamed est par la suite revenu au Canada en date ou autour du 24 mai 2014.

« Grâce aux efforts collaboratifs de nos partenaires de l’EISN, nous avons non seulement été en mesure de perturber cette menace envers la sécurité nationale de notre pays, mais nous sommes également parvenus à traduire cet individu en justice. À cet égard, nous tenons à remercier nos partenaires de l’EISN pour leur précieuse collaboration, incluant le Service de police de Durham, la Police provinciale de l’Ontario, ainsi que le Service canadien du renseignement de sécurité, » a déclaré le commissaire adjoint James Malizia, Officier responsable des Opérations de la Police fédérale à la GRC. « Nous aimerions également remercier le Centre d'analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE) pour leur contribution importante dans cette enquête. »

Mohamed avait initialement été arrêté le 25 mars 2016 où il a fait l’objet d’un engagement de garder la paix en vertu de l’article 810.011, et avait également fait l’objet d’accusations en lien avec le port d’arme. En aucun temps, la sécurité du public n’a été menacée pendant le déroulement de cette enquête.

En tant que service de police national, la GRC travaille avec ses partenaires afin d’assurer une intervention rapide et exhaustive face à l’activité criminelle terroriste, ainsi qu’en menant des enquêtes criminelles relatives à la sécurité nationale au pays et à l’étranger. Nous encourageons les citoyens à rester vigilants et à signaler toute information suspecte sur le terrorisme ou sur des activités suspectes connexes au Réseau info-sécurité nationale (1 800 420-5805) ou au service de police de leur communauté.

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17. UPAC [ 2016-03-17 ]

Projets JOUG et LIERRE: sept personnes sont arrêtées par l'UPAC Montréal, le 17 mars 2016

Le commissaire à la lutte contre la corruption, M. Robert Lafrenière, a confirmé ce matin, en conférence de presse, les arrestations de sept personnes en lien avec leur implication présumée dans des stratagèmes criminels impliquant notamment des activitésfrauduleuses de financement politique, soit : Marc-Yvan Côté, Bruno Lortie, Mario W. Martel, France Michaud, Ernest Murray, Nathalie Normandeau et François Roussy.

Ces individus auraient, à différents moments et de différentes façons, contourné les lois afind’obtenir des avantages indus, tels que, pour les uns, des cadeaux ou du financement politique, et pour les autres, l’obtention de subventions gouvernementales ou l’octroi de contrats publics.

Ce sont les procureurs du Bureau de la grande criminalité et des affaires spéciales du Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales (DPCP) qui ont autorisé les 13 chefs d’accusations criminelles pour des infractions commises entre les années 2000 et 2012 liées à des fraudes envers le gouvernement, de la corruption, des complots, de l’abus de confiance et de la fabrication et l’usage de faux documents.

« Ces infractions sont graves car non seulement elles sont en violation de la Loi, elles mettent en péril les principes mêmes de la démocratie et de la bonne gestion des biens communs. Les contrats publics au Québec sont lucratifs et ils sont soumis à des règles strictes qui visent à favoriser une saine concurrence entre les entrepreneurs. Il est injuste et inéquitable d’utiliser les contrats publics comme outil politique et il est également intolérable d’utiliser le pouvoir de son influence pour favoriser des élections. Il en va de la confiance des citoyens envers leurs dirigeants et leurs institutions », a déclaré le commissaire Lafrenière.

Le Commissaire à la lutte contre la corruption coordonne et dirige des unités d’enquêtes, devérification et de prévention afin de lutter contre la corruption. Les citoyens peuvent appeler le 1 844 541-UPAC ou visiter le www.upac.gouv.qc.ca pour transmettre toute information relative à des actes répréhensibles ou gestes d’intimidation en matière de corruption ou de collusion.

Tableau des chefs d’accusations criminelles autorisées par le DPCP

NOM ACCUSATIONS AU CODE CRIMINEL Dates des infractions

Marc-Yvan Côté Complot, art. 465 en lien avec 119, 121, 122 et 380

Entrepreneur qui souscrit à une caisse électorale, art 121 (2) a)

Entre le 1er janvier 2000 et le 31 décembre 2012

Corruption de fonctionnaires, art. 119 (1) b)

Fraudes envers le gouvernement, art. 121 (1) a) (i) (iii) et 121 (1) e) (i)

Abus de confiance, art. 122

Avoir frustré le public d’une somme dépassant 5 000$, 380 (1) a)


Nathalie Normandeau

Complot, art. 465 en lien avec 119, 121, 122 et 380



Corruption de fonctionnaires, art. 119 (1) a)

Fraudes envers le gouvernement, art. 121 (1) a) (i) (iii)) et 121 (1) d) (i)


Avoir frustré le public d’une somme dépassant

5 000$, 380 (1) a)


Bruno Lortie Complot, art. 465 en lien avec 119, 121, 122 et 380



Corruption de fonctionnaires, art. 119 (1) a)

Fraudes envers le gouvernement, art. 121 (1) a) (i) (iii)) et 121 (1) d) (i)



5 000$, 380 (1) a)


Mario W. Martel








5 000$, 380 (1) a)



Emploi d’un document contrefait, art. 368 (1) a) c)

Faux, art. 366

Entre le 1er janvier 2007 et le 4 octobre 2011

France Michaud








5 000$, 380 (1) a)


Ernest Murray Complot, art. 465 en lien avec 119, 121, 122 et 380





François Roussy




Entre le 1er janvier 2007 et le 4 octobre 2011

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Globe and Mail [2016-03-17]: Quebec anti-corruption police arrest former top Liberals, PQ aides Quebec’s special anti-corruption police made seven arrests Thursday in a probe into illegal political party financing, arresting two top former provincial Liberals, former deputy premier Nathalie Normandeau and Marc-Yvan Côté, a long-time party organizer and former senior cabinet minister.

Two political aides in the Parti Québécois were also arrested.

Police said the arrests came after they amalgamated two separate investigations, Project Joug and Project Lierre, that looked into illicit fundraising.

“We merged the two investigations to show the systemic nature of these schemes,” said Inspector André Boulanger, head of investigations at the permanent anti-corruption squad known as UPAC.

All seven accused have connections to an engineering firm headquarted in Quebec City, Roche, which has since changed its name to Norda Stelo.

According to testimony before the Charbonneau inquiry into the construction industry, Roche organized numerous political fundraisers and put up employees as straw-men donors – people who would make individual political donations and then be illegally reimbursed by the company.

“The engineering firm had a business development approach that was rather aggressive,” Insp. Boulanger said.

“They approached influential people in government, used straw men for political financing, then there was a return on that investment, for years, they got financial gains.”

The 13 criminal counts filed Thursday include conspiracy, bribery of a member of the legislature, fraud on government, breach of trust and forgery.

Police didn’t provide details but Ms. Normandeau had been named in previously-released court documents showing that investigators were probing her role in the way a subsidy was granted to a water-treatment plant that was designed by Roche.

Mr. Côté, had retired from politics at the time of the allegations and was a Roche vice-president and consultant.

The others charged are:

Bruno Lortie, Ms. Normandeau’s former chief of staff.

France Michaud, a former Roche executive who had already been found guilty last fall on separate fraud and breach of trust charges in connection with the water-treatment facility project in Boisbriand, north of Montreal.

Mario Martel, another Roche executive.

Two other accused had ties to the PQ but are not major party figures. They are:

Ernest Murray, a political staffer in former Parti Québécois leader Pauline Marois’s riding. The Charbonneau Commission heard testimony that he solicited illegal political contributions from Roche to meet party funding targets.

François Roussy, a former mayor of the town of Gaspé who later was a political attaché for PQ MNA Gaétan Lelièvre. The inquiry heard that in a bid to get contracts with Gaspé, Roche paid him a trip to France.

The seven are expected to appear in court in Quebec City on April 20.

Meeting reporters, Robert Lafrenière, head of UPAC, made a point of thanking FINTRAC, Canada’s financial intelligence unit, which monitors suspicious transactions.

“These charges are serious. Not only are they against the law, they threaten the foundations of democracy,” he said.

The arrests came on the day of the Quebec provincial budget. They were also announced four days after UPAC filed 67 separate charges against Roche for alleged fiscal fraud.

Some of the background to the investigation on Ms. Normandeau was outlined in an application to conduct a search warrant at the Liberal Party headquarters on July 9, 2013. The application was unsealed in April 2014 at the request of Radio-Canada and other media outlets.

In the 30-page document, investigators allege that, in return for political donations, Ms. Normandeau overruled officials in the Municipal Affairs department in 2007 and authorized an $11-million subsidy for a water-treatment plant in the city of Boisbriand.

Evidence collected by investigators “tends to demonstrate a political intervention took place in awarding the subsidy to overhaul the water treatment plant in Boisbriand,” said an affidavit filed by investigators.

“The awarding of this subsidy is the result of sustained political financing since 2005 and the exercise of politician influence from various players close to minister Nathalie Normandeau and the Quebec Liberal Party.”

At the time, Ms. Normandeau had denied any wrongdoings. “I always did my job with integrity, rigour and honesty,” she said in a statement.

News of the arrests knocked the wind out of Liberal government members as they filed into their regular caucus meeting Thursday. A block away, Finance Minister Carlos Leitao headed into a conference centre to brief reporters on what is expected to be a moderately good-news budget with no deficit, modest tax relief and a boost to education spending. The budget fell instantly from the top of the province’s news agenda.

Even the opposition avoided commenting on the breaking story, but Premier Philippe Couillard said the arrests are proof that there is no political interference in corruption investigations. He also carefully distanced his government from the previous Liberal version under Jean Charest, pointing out party financing rules have tightened considerably.

“This doesn’t speak to the party I run now. It speaks to a different time, a different context,” Mr. Couillard said. “But I don’t minimize this morning’s events. UPAC has done its job.”

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18. RCMP / GRC [ 2016-01-14 ]

Two Properties Restrained in Ottawa Area (Ottawa, ON- January 14, 2016) – A joint forces police operation involving the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) “O” Division Ottawa Detachment Financial Crime unit dubbed Project ATTAR has resulted in two properties belonging to the Alkhalil Organization being restrained. The assistance provided by FINTRAC (Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada) played a significant role in this proceeds of crime investigation. Hisham Alkhalil was the primary subject of this investigation which resulted in charges laid against nine individuals, the seizure of 24.5kilograms of cocaine and the dismantling of an Ottawa-based drug trafficking network in 2014, Project Anarchy.

One of the two properties restrained is a restaurant located at 354 Olmstead St in Ottawa and the other property located at 175 Promenade Du Portage that houses a bar in Gatineau, their combined worth is approximately $1.4 million. Hisham Alkhalil has already been subject to a restraint order placed on a property located on Rossland Avenue in Ottawa in late January 2014, worth approximately $1.1 million.

Alkhalil’s preliminary hearing is set to resume February 8th, 2016, in Ottawa where he is facing drug-related charges.

Ronald Lauzon, the Acting Officer in Charge of the RCMP Ottawa Detachment states “Organized crime groups seek to profit from their illicit activities whenever and however they can. Organized crime groups involved in drug trafficking are creative in their strategies to evade law enforcement and in the concealing of their illicit funds. The objective of Project ATTAR was to further disrupt and dismantle this drug trafficking network financially and to prevent further acts of criminal activity. The collaboration between law enforcement agencies was the ‘key’ to the success of this financial investigation.”

Inspector Mike Laviolette of the Ottawa Police Service states “Organized Crime of this nature is complex. It is imperative that law enforcement focus on the financial aspect in addition to operations because that is why they do what they do. Taking away their financial gains is the true penalty for their crimes.”

"Seizing assets from those that willingly victimize others is the next step in holding those who commit crimes, accountable. It's clear from the results that it's not only beneficial but, imperative that police services continue to work collaboratively in identifying, investigating and apprehending criminals," said Chief Superintendent Rick Barnum, OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau.

The RCMP plays an active role in the fight against proceeds of crime by identifying, assessing, seizing, restraining and dealing with the forfeiture of illicit wealth accumulated through criminal activities. Criminal network groups such as this one, seek to profit from their illegal activities. Illicit profits undermine the social and economic well-being of Canadians and increase the power and influence of organized criminals and their illegal enterprises. –30–

Deux biens bloqués dans la région d’Ottawa (Ottawa, ON - Le 14 janvier 2016) — Une opération policière conjointe, à laquelle participaient la Police provinciale de l’Ontario, le Service de police d’Ottawa (SPO) et le Groupe de la criminalité financière de la Division « O » du Détachement d’Ottawa de la Gendarmerie royale du Canada (GRC), baptisée Projet ATTAR, a mené au blocage de deux biens appartenant au réseau Alkhalil. Le soutien fourni par le CANAFE (Centre d’analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada) a joué un rôle important dans le cadre de cette enquête sur les produits de la criminalité. Hisham Alkhalil était le principal sujet visé par l’enquête, le « Projet Anarchy », qui a donné lieu en 2014 à des accusations portées contre neuf individus, à la saisie de 24,5 kg de cocaïne et au démantèlement d’un réseau de trafic de drogue établi à Ottawa.

Un des deux biens bloqués est un restaurant situé au 354, rue Olmstead, à Ottawa, et l’autre, situé au 175, promenade du Portage, abrite un bar à Gatineau. Leur valeur combinée s’élève à 1,4 million de dollars. Hisham Alkhalil a déjà fait l’objet d’une ordonnance de blocage rendue à la fin de janvier 2014 et visant un bien situé sur l’avenue Rossland, à Ottawa, d’une valeur approximative de 1,1 million de dollars.

L’enquête préliminaire de M. Alkhalil doit reprendre le 8 février 2016 à Ottawa, où il fait face à des accusations en matière de drogue.

Selon Ronald Lauzon, officier responsable intérimaire du Détachement d’Ottawa de la GRC : « Les groupes criminels organisés cherchent par tous les moyens à tirer profit de leurs activités illicites. Les groupes criminalisés impliqués dans le trafic de drogue usent de stratégies très rusées pour déjouer la police et cacher leurs fonds illicites. Le Projet ATTAR avait pour but de perturber plus sérieusement et de démanteler ce réseau de trafic de drogue sur le plan financier, et aussi d’empêcher la perpétration d’autres actes criminels. La collaboration entre les organismes d’application de la loi a été la clé du succès de cette enquête financière. »

L’inspecteur Mike Laviolette du Service de police d’Ottawa estime que : « Le crime organisé de cette nature est complexe. Il est impératif que les autorités policières se concentrent sur l’aspect financier en plus des activités de ces groupes, parce que c’est leur principale motivation.C’est en les privant de leurs gains financiers qu’ils sont véritablement punis pour leurs crimes. »

« La saisie des biens des personnes qui, en toute connaissance de cause, en victimisent d’autres est la prochaine étape dans le processus visant à rendre les criminels redevables de leurs actes. D’après les résultats, il est clair qu’il est non seulement souhaitable, mais impératif que les services de police continuent à travailler en collaboration pour repérer les criminels, enquêter sur eux et les arrêter », a affirmé le surintendant principal Rick Barnum, du Bureau de la lutte contre le crime organisé de la Police provinciale de l’Ontario.

La GRC participe activement à la lutte contre les produits de la criminalité en repérant, évaluant, saisissant, bloquant et confisquant les gains illicites provenant d’activités criminelles.Les réseaux

criminels comme celui-ci cherchent à tirer profit de leurs activités illégales. Ces profits illicites contribuent à miner le bien-être économique et social des Canadiens et à accroître le pouvoir et l’influence des membres du crime organisé et de leurs entreprises illégales.

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19. Toronto Police Service [ 2015-12-09 ]

Arrests in $93M US pyramid scheme, Toronto and Vancouver men charged Broadcast time: 10:39 Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Financial Crimes 416-808-7300

Case #: 2014-1863297

The Mass Marketing Section of the Toronto Police Service Financial Crimes Unit is a member of the Toronto Strategic Partnership against Cross-Border Fraud. The partnership represents a combined enforcement strategy, specializing in the investigation of mass marketing fraud in, or originating from within the province of, Ontario with cross-border implications.

In January 2013, the Financial Crimes Unit started an investigation into an alleged pyramid scheme. The Toronto Police Service was assisted by investigators from the RCMP, Competition Bureau of Canada, Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, Ministry of Finance, U.S. Federal Trade Commission, FINTRAC, and the Canada Revenue Agency.

It is alleged that:

• between October 2010 and March 2013, a pyramid scheme known as “Banners Broker” was operated out of a Church Street address in Toronto

• the scheme offered participants the opportunity to double their money by investing in an advertising company that had access to a “globally renowned network”

• participants were led to believe their investments were being applied towards a program that offered payment for the direction of web traffic via referral links

• the program's existence was entirely dependent upon the fee-based entry of new members and little or no real product or service was provided

• new investors were drawn into the scheme via a series of false or misleading representations • by the end of 2012, over $93 million US was obtained from thousands of participants, of which

approximately $45 million was paid back to participants in the scheme • the remaining funds were funneled to a number of offshore accounts in Belize, St. Lucia, Cyprus, and

others

On Wednesday, December 9, 2015, Christopher George Smith, 45, of Toronto, and Rajiv Dixit, 45, of Vancouver, were arrested. They are charged with:

1. Defraud the Public - Over ($5000) 2. Possession of Proceeds of Crime 3. Launder Proceeds of Crime

4. Operate Scheme of Pyramid - Selling (Competition Act) 5. Make False or Misleading Representations (Competition Act)

They were scheduled to appear in court at Old City Hall on Wednesday, December 9, 2015. The proceedings are subject to a publication ban.

Watch the news conference here.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Victor Kwong, Corporate Communications, for Detective Sergeant Ian Nichol, Financial Crimes

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20. Ontario Provincial Police [ 2015-10-09 ]

OPP Dismantle Criminal Organization (CITY OF TEMISKAMING SHORES, ON) – On February 1, 2013 members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Temiskaming Crime Unit were called to investigate a fraud surrounding the restoration and sale of a vacant commercial property on Lakeshore Road, Haileybury.

This lengthy investigation has been ongoing for approximately three years. After executing several search warrants, the financial loss is approximately $7.5 million dollars. The police have charged five individuals with a total of 60 Criminal Code (CC) offences.

The OPP North East Regional Support Team (NERST), The North East Intelligence Unit and The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) have assisted with this ongoing investigation.

At this time, Arash MISSAGHI, 45, of Richmond Hill has been arrested and charged with:

• Participate in a Criminal Organization – section 467.11 of the Criminal Code • Fraud Over $5000 – section 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code (6 counts) • Fraud Under $5000 – section 380(1)(b) of the Criminal Code • Obtaining by False Pretence – section 362(1)(a) of the Criminal Code

The accused is in custody and will appear on October 9, 2015 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Haileybury for a bail hearing.

Further details will be provided as they become available.

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Five charged in multi-million dollar property fraud OPP have charged five people after investigating a property fraud surrounding the restoration and sale of a vacant commercial property on Lakeshore Road, in Haileybury.

The financial loss is approximately $7.5 million dollars.

Back on February 1, 2013, members of the OPP Temiskaming Crime Unit were called to investigate a fraud.

After a lengthy investigation that had been ongoing for approximately three years, police executed several search warrants and charged five people with a total of 60 Criminal Code offences.

At this time, Arash Missaghi, 45, of Richmond Hill has been arrested and charged with:

• Participate in a Criminal Organization • Fraud Over $5,000 – (6 counts) • Fraud Under $5,000 • Obtaining by False Pretence

Missaghi is in custody and will appear today at the Ontario Court of Justice in Haileybury for a bail hearing.

Further details will be provided as they become available.

The OPP North East Regional Support Team (NERST), The North East Intelligence Unit and The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) helped with this ongoing investigation.

See related article in the Toronto Star.

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21. Cocaine trafficking-related charges net prison sentences for 2 men [ 2015-09-03 ]

Two men have been sentenced to prison on cocaine trafficking-related charges in northeastern New Brunswick.

Roney Robichaud, 51, of Tracadie-Sheila, was sentenced Wednesday to four years on charges of trafficking cocaine, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, and conspiracy to traffic cocaine.

Gérard Richard, 64, of Val-Comeau, was also sentenced to two years in prison for possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Both men were charged as part of Operation J-Touchdown, a lengthy joint forces investigation led by the RCMP, aimed at disrupting cocaine trafficking in the Acadian Peninsula, Sgt. Michel Boissonnault said in a statement.

On Sept. 5, 2013, police executed six search warrants in Tracadie-Sheila, Val-Comeau, and Shediac. More than two kilograms of cocaine was seized during the course of the investigation, along with cash and two vehicles, said Boissonnault.

The investigation is ongoing, he said.

Officers with the New Brunswick RCMP's Federal Operations East Bathurst detachment, the Northeast and Southeast District RCMP, the Northeast Integrated Intelligence Unit, the Bathurst Police Force, and the BNPP Regional Police Force have been involved.

Members of the Miramichi Police Force and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) have also provided assistance.

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22. RCMP / GRC [ 2015-07-06 ]

J-Touchdown: four additional men facing charges in cocaine trafficking investigation, Tracadie, N.B. Four additional men are facing cocaine trafficking charges as a result of J-Touchdown, a 2013 police investigation which targeted cocaine trafficking in the Acadian Peninsula.

Several drug related offenses were laid against 50-year-old Onile Boucher of Tracadie, 62-year-old Jean-Pierre Thibodeau of Pointe-à-Tom, 47-year-old Michel McGraw of Notre-Dames-des-Érables and 48-year-old Rémi Duguay of Pointe-Canot on June 8 and 10, 2015. Boucher and Thibodeau are expected to appear in Tracadie Provincial Court on July 8, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. to enter a plea. McGraw and Duguay are expected to appear in Caraquet Provincial Court on July 7, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. to enter a plea.

The charges stem from Operation J-Touchdown. On September 5, 2013, police officers with the New Brunswick RCMP’s Federal Operations East Bathurst detachment, the Northeast and Southeast District RCMP, the Northeast Integrated Intelligence Unit, the Bathurst Police Force, and the BNPP Regional Police Force executed six search warrants in Tracadie-Sheila, Val-Comeau, and Shediac, N.B. Assistance was also provided by the Miramichi Police Force and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) during the investigation. More than two kilograms of cocaine, two vehicles and cash were seized during the course of the investigation. Denis Robichaud, from Val Comeau, Roney Robichaud, from Tracadie, Gérard Richard, from Val Comeau, Jason Robert Vienneau, from Burnt Church, Timmy Cormier, from Shediac, and Roland Gallant, from Shediac, all plead guilty to charges stemming from this operation.

The RCMP continues to work with its policing partners to dismantle and disrupt the trade of illegal drugs in New Brunswick and to make our communities even safer. The investigation is ongoing.

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J-Touchdown: quatre autres hommes font face à des accusations dans le cadre d'une enquête en matière de trafic de cocaïne - Tracadie (N.-B.) Quatre autres hommes font face à des accusations en matière de trafic de cocaïne dans le cadre de l’opération J-Touchdown, une enquête policière menée en 2013 qui ciblait le trafic de cocaïne dans la péninsule acadienne.

Plusieurs accusations en matière de drogue ont été déposées contre Onile Boucher, 50 ans, de Tracadie, Jean-Pierre Thibodeau, 62 ans, de Pointe-à-Tom, Michel McGraw, 47 ans, de Notre-Dames-des-Érables et Rémi Duguay, 48 ans, de Pointe-Canot, les 8 et 10 juin 2015. Boucher et Thibodeau comparaîtront en cour provinciale à Tracadie le 8 juillet 2015 à 9 h 30 pour inscrire leur plaidoyer. McGraw et Duguay comparaîtront en cour provinciale à Caraquet le 7 juillet à 9 h 30 pour inscrire leur plaidoyer.

Les accusations découlent de l’opération J-Touchdown. Le 5 septembre 2013, des policiers de la Section des opérations fédérales Est de la GRC, détachement de Bathurst, des districts du Nord-Est et du Sud-Est de la GRC, du Groupe des renseignements criminels du Nord-Est, du Service de police de la ville de Bathurst et de la Police régionale BNPP, ont exécuté six mandats de perquisition à Tracadie-Sheila, à Val-Comeau et à Shediac (N.-B.) On a aussi reçu de l’aide de la force policière de Miramichi et du Centre d’analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE) durant l’enquête. Plus de deux kilogrammes de cocaïne, deux véhicules, et de l’argent comptant ont été saisis durant l’enquête. Denis Robichaud de Val Comeau, Roney Robichaud, de Tracadie, Gérard Richard, de Val Comeau, Jason Robert Vienneau de Burnt Church, Timmy Cormier de Shediac et Roland Gallant de Shediac, ont tous plaidé coupable à des accusations découlant de cette opération.

La GRC continue de travailler avec ses partenaires policiers pour démanteler et perturber le trafic de drogues au Nouveau-Brunswick et pour faire en sorte que nos collectivités soient encore plus sûres. L’enquête se poursuit.

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23. RCMP / GRC [ 2015-06-03 ]

CFSEU Dismantles ‘Ndrangheta Criminal Organization (Aurora, ON – June 3, 2015) - Investigators working in the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit have arrested nineteen men for numerous offences related to criminal activity of several cells of a criminal organization, the ‘Ndrangheta. This enforcement action, along with more than 25 search warrants being executed, culminated in the early hours of June 2, 2015, with approximately 260 officers from police services in and surrounding the Greater Toronto Area.

In May 2013, CFSEU GTA commenced an investigation target the highest levels of the 'Ndrangheta criminal organization operating within the GTA. Project OPHOENIX investigation was a multi-jurisdictional and international investigation.

The ‘Ndrangheta is a specific confederation of mafia families that have their origin in southern Calabria, Italy. This organization has spread to various international regions including Canada. Here we have seen several dozen members grouped into various mafia “families” that are often insular and secretive. Several of these criminal cells operate in the GTA and were the focus of this investigation. Police reports that we have found that these ‘Ndrangheta organized crime groups combined their efforts regionally, nationally and internationally in order to elude enforcement, expand territorial influence and secure sources of income.

The presence of organized crime groups brings an element of criminality into our community that undermines the safety of all Canadians.

The lengthy, challenging, two year, joint-forces investigation revealed several specific organized crime cells that were involved with such criminal offences as drug importation and trafficking, firearms trafficking, extortion, possession of the proceeds of crime, laundering the proceeds of crime and organized crime related offences.

The specific organizations that GTA CFSEU identified and subsequently investigated were led by Pino URSINO and Carmine VERDUCI - who is now deceased. In addition, Diego SERRANO, was identified as a significant facilitator for these organizations as were others that have been charged.

The police have in their possession as a result of this investigation 3 firearms, approximately 8.5 kilograms of what is believed to be cocaine, 7 kilograms of marihuana and cash. The RCMP’s Financial Crime, Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit seized five vehicles as Offence Related Property.

“The presence of such organized crime groups brings an element of criminality to our communities that is unacceptable,” said Superintendent Keith Finn, Officer in Charge of the Greater Toronto Area CFSEU. “Drug importation, drug and firearm trafficking, extortion and the associated violence that accompanies these illegal activities puts our citizens at risk. The members of the CFSEU are committed to ensuring people committing these crimes are held responsible.”

The CFSEU, a multi-jurisdictional operation which includes the RCMP, the Ontario Provincial Police, York Regional Police, the Toronto Police Service, Peel Regional Police and the Durham Regional Police Service, is specifically tasked with the mandate to expose, investigate, prosecute and dismantle organized criminal enterprises.

The following police services and agencies provided assistance to Project OPHOENIX which further demonstrates the combined resolve among law enforcement to dismantle organized crime in Canada: Hamilton Police Service, Brantford Police Service, Niagara Regional Police Service, Waterloo Regional Police, Guelph Police Service, Barrie Police Service, the Canada Border Services Agency and FINTRAC.

The following were arrested and charged as a result of this enforcement action:

Giuseppe URSINO, 62, of Bradford, ON, is charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession of proceeds of crime (x 2), commission of an offence for a criminal organization (x 5), conspiracy to import cocaine (x3), conspiracy to commit extortion, counseling an offence (not committed) and instructing to commit and offence for a criminal organization.

Diego SERRANO, 66, of Vaughan, ON, is charged with trafficking in cocaine (x5), possession of proceeds of crime (x6), traffic cocaine by offer, traffic firearms by offer.

Marco MAONE, 32, of Toronto, ON, is charged with trafficking in cocaine (x5), possession of proceeds of crime (x5), possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine), conspiracy to traffic cocaine, possession of a controlled substance (heroin), possession of a controlled substance (MDMA) and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).

Cosmin DRACEA, 38, Toronto, ON, is charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession of proceeds of crime (x 2), commission of an offence for a criminal organization (x 4) and conspiracy to import cocaine (x3).

Jorden KOLMAN, 50, Richmond Hill, ON, is charged with conspiracy to commit extortion, counseling an offence (not committed) and commission of an offence for a criminal organization.

Zarko DJOKIC, 30, of Toronto, ON, is charged with trafficking in cocaine and possession of proceeds of crime.

Adnan MURSEL, 31, of Toronto, ON, is charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession of proceeds of crime and possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine) (x2).

Nicodemo BARBARO, 58, North York, ON, is charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of a firearm knowing that the serial number had been defaced.

Giuseppe SCORDO, 45, Vaughan, ON, is charged with trafficking in cocaine and possession of proceeds of crime.

Anthony PERSAUD, 26, Toronto, ON, is charged with trafficking in cocaine and possession of proceeds of crime.

Glenn FORDE, 47, Aurora, ON, is charged with trafficking in cocaine and possession of proceeds of crime.

Antonio AGRESTA, 43, Hamilton, ON, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine).

Adam D'ANDREA, 58, Hamilton, ON, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine) and careless storage of a firearm and ammunition.

Carlo FAZZARI, 41, Hamilton, ON, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine).

Giuseppe NESCI, 58, Woodbridge, ON, is charged with trafficking in marihuana (x2) and possession of the proceeds of crime (x3).

Demetre PAPADOPOULOS, 63, Aurora, ON, is charged with trafficking in marihuana, possession of marihuana for the purpose of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime.

Richard AVENES, 44, North York, ON, is charged with conspiracy to import cocaine (x2), possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine), possession for the purpose of trafficking (OxyContin), commission of an offence for a criminal organization and fail to comply with a recognizance (x2).

Antonio MEDIATI, 66, Oakville, ON, is charged with trafficking in cocaine (x2) and possession of proceeds of crime (x2).

Syedmeysam MIR, 35, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine) and possession for the purpose of trafficking (OxyContin)

Related Links:

Distribution 'Ndrangheta Organizational Chart

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L'UMECO démantèle des cellules de l'organisation criminelle 'Ndrangheta (Aurora, ON – Le 3 juin 2015) – Les enquêteurs travaillant au sein de l’Unité mixte d’enquête sur le crime organisé (UMECO) ont arrêté dix-neuf hommes pour de nombreuses infractions relatives à l’activité criminelle de plusieurs cellules de l’organisation criminelle nommée la ‘Ndrangheta. Cette mesure de police, de pair avec plus de 25 mandats de perquisition en voie d’être exécutés, a culminé tôt le 2 juin 2015 avec la participation d’environ 260 agents des services de police de la région du Grand Toronto et des environs.

En mai 2013, l’UMECO de la région du Grand Toronto a entrepris une enquête ciblant les plus hauts échelons de l’organisation criminelle 'Ndrangheta active dans la région. L’enquête Projet OPHOENIX était une enquête multijuridictionnelle et internationale.

La ‘Ndrangheta est une confédération spécifique de familles mafieuses originaires du sud de la région de Calabre, en Italie. Cette organisation a étendu ses activités dans diverses régions internationales, dont le Canada. Ici, nous comptons plusieurs dizaines de membres regroupés dans diverses « familles » de la mafia qui sont souvent isolées et secrètes. Plusieurs de ces cellules criminelles sont actives dans la région du Grand Toronto et ont fait l’objet de cette enquête. La police a indiqué que ces groupes ‘Ndrangheta de crime organisé ont combiné leurs efforts à l’échelle régionale, nationale et internationale pour échapper aux autorités d’application de la loi, élargir leur territoire d’influence et générer des sources de revenus.

La présence de groupes criminels organisés introduit un élément de criminalité dans notre communauté qui compromet la sécurité de tous les Canadiens.

Cette enquête policière conjuguée longue et complexe, qui duré deux ans, a mis au jour plusieurs cellules du crime organisé spécifiques qui participaient à des infractions criminelles comme l’importation et le trafic de drogue, le trafic d’armes à feu, l’extorsion, la possession de produits de la criminalité, le recyclage des produits de la criminalité et des infractions liées au crime organisé.

Les organisations spécifiques que l’UMECO de la région du Grand Toronto a identifiées et sur lesquelles une enquête a ensuite été effectuée étaient dirigées par Pino URSINO et Carmine VERDUCI – maintenant décédé. De plus, Diego SERRANO a été identifié comme un facilitateur important pour ces organisations, tout comme d’autres personnes contre qui des accusations ont été portées.

À la suite de cette enquête, la police a en sa possession 3 armes à feu, environ 8,5 kilogrammes de ce qui est réputé être de la cocaïne, 7 kilogrammes de marihuana et de l’argent comptant.

Le Programme de criminalité financière de la GRC, qui prend part à l’initiative Unités mixtes des produits de la criminalité (UMPC), a saisi cinq véhicules à titre de biens infractionnels.

« La présence de tels groupes criminels organisés introduit un élément de criminalité inacceptable au sein de nos communautés », a affirmé Keith Finn, surintendant de la GRC et agent responsable de l'UMECO. « L’importation de drogue, le trafic de la drogue et d’armes à feu, l’extorsion et la violence connexes qui accompagnent ces activités illégales mettent nos citoyens en danger. Les membres de l’UMECO sont déterminés à veiller à ce que les personnes qui commettent ces crimes soient tenues responsables. »

L’UMECO, une opération multijuridictionnelle englobant la GRC, la Police provinciale de l’Ontario, le service de police régional de York, le service de police de Toronto, le service de police régional de Peel et le service de police régional de Durham, a le mandat précis d’exposer, d’investiguer, de poursuivre en justice et de démanteler les entreprises criminelles organisées.

Les services et agences de police suivants ont fourni de l’assistance dans le cadre du Projet OPHOENIX, ce qui atteste de nouveau de la détermination commune des autorités d’application de la loi pour démanteler le crime organisé au Canada : le service de police de Hamilton, le service de police de Brantford, le service de police régional de Niagara, le service de police régional de Waterloo, le service de police de Guelph, le service de police de Barrie, l’Agence des services frontaliers du Canada et le CANAFE.

Les personnes suivantes ont été arrêtées et inculpées à la suite de cette action policière :

Giuseppe URSINO, 62 ans, de Bradford, en Ontario, est inculpé de trafic de cocaïne, possession de produits de la criminalité (deux chefs), commission d’une infraction pour une organisation criminelle (cinq chefs), complot en vue d’importer de la cocaïne (trois chefs), conspiration en vue de commettre une extorsion, avoir conseillé à une autre personne de commettre une infraction (non commise) et charger une personne de commettre une infraction au profit d’une organisation criminelle.

Diego SERRANO, 66 ans, de Vaughan, en Ontario, est inculpé de trafic de cocaïne (cinq chefs), de possession de produits de la criminalité (six chefs), de trafic de cocaïne par offre et de trafic d’armes à feu par offre.

Marco MAONE, 32 ans, de Toronto, en Ontario, est inculpé de trafic de cocaïne (cinq chefs), de possession de produits de la criminalité (cinq chefs), de possession en vue d’un trafic (cocaïne), de complot en vue de faire le trafic cocaïne, de possession d’une substance contrôlée (héroïne), de possession d’une substance contrôlée (MDMA) et de possession d’une substance contrôlée (méthamphétamine).

Cosmin DRACEA, 38 ans, de Toronto, en Ontario, est inculpé de trafic de cocaïne, de possession de produits de la criminalité (deux chefs), de commission d’une infraction pour une organisation criminelle (quatre chefs) et de complot en vue d’une importation de cocaïne (trois chefs).

Jorden KOLMAN, 50 ans, de Richmond Hill, en Ontario, est inculpé de conspiration en vue de commettre une extorsion, d’avoir conseillé à une autre personne de commettre une infraction (non commise) et de commission d’une infraction pour une organisation criminelle.

Zarko DJOKIC, 30 ans, de Toronto, en Ontario, est inculpé de trafic de cocaïne et de possession de produits de la criminalité.

Adnan MURSEL, 31 ans, de Toronto, en Ontario, est inculpé de trafic de cocaïne, de possession de produits de la criminalité et de possession en vue d’un trafic (cocaïne) (deux chefs).

Nicodemo BARBARO, 58 ans, de North York, en Ontario, est inculpé de complot en vue de faire le trafic de cocaïne, de possession illégale d’armes à feu, de possession d’une arme interdite et de possession d’une arme à feu sachant que son numéro de série a été modifié.

Giuseppe SCORDO, 45 ans, de Vaughan, en Ontario, est inculpé de trafic de cocaïne et de possession de produits de la criminalité.

Anthony PERSAUD, 26 ans, de Toronto, en Ontario, est inculpé de trafic de cocaïne et de possession de produits de la criminalité.

Glenn FORDE, 47 ans, d’Aurora, en Ontario, est inculpé de trafic de cocaïne et de possession de produits de la criminalité.

Antonio AGRESTA, 43 ans, de Hamilton, en Ontario, est inculpé de possession en vue d’un trafic (cocaïne).

Adam D'ANDREA, 58 ans, de Hamilton, en Ontario, est inculpé de possession en vue d’un trafic (cocaïne) et d’entreposage négligent d'armes à feu et de munitions.

Carlo FAZZARI, 41 ans, de Hamilton, en Ontario, est inculpé de possession en vue d’un trafic (cocaïne).

Giuseppe NESCI, 58 ans, de Woodbridge, en Ontario, est inculpé de trafic de marihuana (deux chefs) et de possession de produits de la criminalité (trois chefs).

Demetre PAPADOPOULOS, 63 ans, d’Aurora, en Ontario, est inculpé de trafic de marihuana, de possession de marihuana dans le but d’en faire le trafic et de possession de produits de la criminalité.

Richard AVENES, 44 ans, de North York, en Ontario, est inculpé de complot en vue d’une importation de cocaïne (deux chefs), de possession en vue d’un trafic (cocaïne), de possession en vue d’un trafic (OxyContin), de commission d’une infraction pour une organisation criminelle et de défaut de se conformer à une ordonnance d’engagement (deux chefs).

Antonio MEDIATI, 66 ans, d’Oakville, en Ontario, est inculpé de trafic de cocaïne (deux chefs) et de possession de produits de la criminalité (deux chefs).

Syedmeysam MIR, 35 ans, est inculpé de possession en vue d’un trafic (cocaïne) et de possession en vue d’un trafic (OxyContin)

Liens connexes :

Distribution (en anglais seulement) Organigramme de la 'Ndrangheta (en anglais seulement)

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24. Service de police de la Ville de Montréal [ 2015-05-12 ]

Démantèlement d’un important réseau de contrebande d’alcool Montréal, le 12 mai 2015 — Les policiers du Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), appuyés par plusieurs organisations policières du Québec et de l’Ontario, ont procédé aujourd’hui à l’arrestation de 11 individus soupçonnés d’être impliqués dans un vaste réseau de contrebande de vin. Ceux-ci auraient fraudé le fisc de 14 M $, entre 2010 et 2014, ce qui représente l’une des plus importantes fraudes en matière de contrebande d’alcool au Québec. Le réseau importait du vin d’Europe, le transformait en une vingtaine de marques et le revendait illégalement à travers tout le Québec et dans certains secteurs de l’Ontario.

À ces arrestations s’ajoutent également les importantes saisies de vin effectuées lors des perquisitions menées par les policiers en décembre et janvier derniers. Ceux-ci ont mis la main sur quelque89 000 litres de vin de contrebande. Au total, 32 perquisitions ont été effectuées, essentiellement dans des résidences et aussi quelques entrepôts.

L’enquête a été menée par l’unité ACCES alcool (Actions concertées pour contrer les économies souterraines) du SPVM, avec la collaboration de la Sûreté du Québec (SQ), de l’Agence des services frontaliers du Canada (ASFC) et du Centre d'analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE). Le projet d’enquête a débuté en janvier 2014 à partir d’un recoupement d’informations qui aura permis de mettre au jour et de démanteler cet important réseau de contrebande d’alcool

Les arrestations ont été effectuées à Montréal, dans la grande région métropolitaine et en Ontario avec la participation des services de police de Laval, de Repentigny, de Mirabel, de Châteauguay, de Saint-Jérôme, de la Régie intermunicipale de Richelieu-Saint-Laurent, ainsi que de la Sûreté du Québec, du Service de police d’Oakville et de la Police provinciale de l’Ontario (OPP).

Les suspects font face à des accusations de fraude, complot de fraude, contrefaçon de marque de commerce, recel et recyclage de produits de la criminalité. Les personnes arrêtées ayant comparu sont :

Carle Adub, 43 ans Zaché Audette-Hall, 27 ans Gaétan Breton, 57 ans Vincenzo Forgetta, 45 ans Luca Gaspari, 52 ans Spyros Kapsakis, 65 ans Liette Labbé, 55 ans Floyd Lahache, 57 ans Murray Marshall, 58 ans Giuseppe Porcelli, 58 ans Paolo Simone, 49 ans Robert Whitebean, 43 ans

D’autres arrestations sont à venir.

Programme ACCES

Pour lutter contre le commerce illégal de l’alcool et du tabac, le gouvernement du Québec a créé deux programmes ACCES (Actions concertées pour contrer les économies souterraines), l’un ciblant l’alcool et l’autre le tabac. Ce programme est coordonné par le ministère de la Sécurité publique et financé par le ministère des Finances.

L’approche adoptée dans ces programmes s’appuie sur la concertation entre les partenaires. Le programme ACCES alcool regroupe un ensemble d’organisations partenaires dont le SPVM, la SQ, la Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux, le ministère de la Justice et Revenu Québec.

Le SPVM dispose d’une unité dédiée au programme ACCES laquelle relève de la Division du crime organisé. Ses principaux mandats sont de mener des enquêtes afin de démanteler des réseaux de production ou de distribution illégales et, également, dans le cas du programme ACCES alcool, d’effectuer des inspections systématiques dans des endroits licenciés.

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25. Minister Blaney commends law enforcement agencies for disrupting an international prostitution ring [ 2015-04-01 ]

OTTAWA, April 1, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Steven Blaney, Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, made this statement following the arrests in Toronto and Montreal of six individuals who will be charged with the operation of a prostitution ring that victimized young women alleged to have been smuggled into Canada. The RCMP, CBSA, Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal, Aéroports de Montréal Airport Security and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada worked together to makes these arrests possible.

"I applaud the excellent work by members of these law enforcement agencies. These arrests are an excellent example of the fine work they do on a daily basis to protect those who are victimized in this manner. We continue to support our law enforcement agencies and their partners who work tirelessly to ensure our communities are safe places to live, work and raise families."

For more information, please visit the RCMP website http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/qc/nouv-news/com-rel/2015/04/150401-eng.htm

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Le ministre Blaney félicite des organismes d'application de la loi pour le démantèlement d'un réseau de prostitution international OTTAWA, le 1er avril 2015 /CNW/ - Aujourd'hui, l'honorable Steven Blaney, ministre de la Sécurité publique et de la Protection civile, a fait la déclaration suivante à la suite des arrestations, à Toronto et à Montréal, de six personnes qui seront accusés de l'exploitation d'un réseau de prostitution qui avait pour victimes de jeunes femmes soupçonnées d'être entrées clandestinement au Canada. La Gendarmerie royale du Canada, l'Agence des services frontaliers du Canada, le Service de police de la Ville de Montréal et le Centre d'analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada ont uni leurs efforts pour rendre ces arrestations possibles.

« J'applaudis l'excellent travail des membres de ces forces de l'ordre. Ces arrestations illustrent très bien le bon travail qu'ils font au quotidien pour protéger les personnes qui sont ainsi victimisées. Nous soutenons nos forces de l'ordre et nos partenaires, qui ont travaillé sans relâche pour que nous puissions vivre, travailler et élever nos familles dans un milieu sécuritaire. »

Pour de plus amples renseignements sur cette arrestation, veuillez consulter : http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/on/news-nouvelles/2015/15-02-03-ottawa-fra.htm

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26. RCMP / GRC [ 2015-04-01 ]

Human Smuggling and Sexual Exploitation: the RCMP Disrupts a Canada-Wide Prostitution Ring Montréal, April 1, 2015 – Two major cells of a Canada-wide prostitution ring were disrupted between March 27 and April 1, 2015 in the wake of an investigation targeting an Asian-based international criminal organization that is allegedly involved in the smuggling of young women into Canada for sexual exploitation through various bawdy-houses.

As part of an investigation dubbed Project Confidence, investigators of the RCMP Immigration and Passport Section conducted a three-step operation in the Greater Montréal and Toronto areas, resulting in six arrests and sixteen searches.

It is alleged that the victims, who are mainly from Korea and China, received assistance from the criminal organization to enter Canada illegally via land crossings or with visas obtained through false pretenses. Upon entering Canada, the victims were taken over, controlled and exploited by a prostitution ring operating Canada-wide (Halifax, Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver).

Charges

Investigators arrested several key players as well as the main leaders of this criminal organization. The accused will face a number of charges under the Criminal Code, including:

• Material benefit from sexual services • Procuring • Procuring – person under 18 years • Advertising sexual services

The accused are:

• Kai CHEN, 37, from Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot • Nan WU, 33, from Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot • Le YU, 38, from Montréal • Anyang CUI, 26, from Montréal • Daegun CHUN, 46, from Toronto • Ying Li, 31, from Toronto • Jeonghwan SEO, 34, from Toronto • Mélanie WILLIAMS-JOHNSON, 20, from Montréal (wanted)

The alleged ringleaders arrested in Toronto this morning will appear at the Montréal Court House Thursday, April 2nd. The other accused, who were arrested in Montréal last March 27 and 30, appeared at the Montréal Court House earlier this week.

Also, two clients were arrested on the premises at the time the operations took place and charged with being found in a bawdy-house. They were later released on a promise to appear.

Seized Property

Investigators conducted sixteen searches and seized offence-related property, including:

• Computers • Cell phones • Two vehicles, a 2011 Infiniti FX50 and a 2014 Honda Civic • Large sums of money

The Partners

The investigation, launched in January 2014, was conducted in partnership with the Section des Enquêtes multidisciplinaires et coordination jeunesse/équipe de moralité Nord of the Service de police de la ville de Montréal External link, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Greater Toronto Area Detachment, Aéroports de Montréal External link Airport Security and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada.

The RCMP works closely with its domestic and international partners to disrupt criminal organizations that facilitate human smuggling into Canada. Through its efforts to curb criminal activity at the border, the RCMP contributes to ensuring the safety of the public.

Appeal to the Public

If you have information on illicit activity involving illegal immigration, contact the RCMP at 1-800-771-5401 or 514 939-8300.

Who could be a victim of sexual exploitation? Visit the Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre to learn more about the indicators.

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Passage de clandestins et exploitation sexuelle : la GRC frappe contre un réseau pancanadien Montréal, le 1er avril 2015 – Deux cellules clés d’un réseau de prostitution pancanadien ont été démantelées entre le 27 mars et le 1er avril. L’enquête cible une organisation criminelle internationale de souche asiatique qui serait impliquée dans le passage clandestin et dans l’exploitation sexuelle de jeunes femmes, par l’entremise de divers lieux d’exploitation sexuelle.

C’est dans le cadre de l’enquête Confidence que les policiers de la Section immigration et passeports ont procédé à six arrestations, ainsi qu’à seize perquisitions. L’opération s’est déroulée en trois phases dans la grande région de Montréal et à Toronto.

Les victimes proviendraient principalement de la Corée et de la Chine. Aidées de l’organisation, elles entreraient illégalement au Canada par les frontières ou à l’aide de visas obtenus sous de faux prétextes. Elles seraient ensuite prises en charge, contrôlées et exploitées par un réseau de prostitution pancanadien (Halifax, Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton et Vancouver).

Accusations

Les enquêteurs ont procédé à l’arrestation de certains acteurs importants ainsi que des principaux dirigeants de l’organisation criminelle. En vertu du Code criminel, ils feront notamment face aux chefs d’accusation suivants :

• Avantage matériel provenant de la prestation de services sexuels • Proxénétisme • Proxénétisme – personne âgée de moins de 18 ans • Publicité de services sexuels

Les accusés sont :

• Kai CHEN, 37 ans, de Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot • Nan WU, 33 ans, de Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot • Le YU, 38 ans, de Montréal • Anyang CUI, 26 ans, de Montréal • Daegun CHUN, 46 ans, de Toronto • Ying Li, 31 ans, de Toronto • Jeonghwan SEO, 34 ans, de Toronto • Mélanie WILLIAMS-JOHNSON, 20 ans, de Montréal (Recherchée)

Les présumées têtes dirigeantes arrêtées ce matin à Toronto comparaîtront jeudi le 2 avril au palais de justice de Montréal. Les autres accusés, arrêtés à Montréal les 27 et 30 mars derniers, ont comparu plus tôt cette semaine au palais de justice de Montréal.

Aussi, deux clients sur place au moment des opérations ont été arrêtés puis relâchés sur promesse de comparaître, pour s’être trouvés dans une maison de débauche.

Biens saisis

Dans le cadre de l’opération, les enquêteurs ont mené seize perquisitions et ont procédé à la saisie de biens infractionnels, dont :

• Ordinateurs • Cellulaires • Deux véhicules, une Infiniti FX50 2011 et une Honda Civic 2014 • Importante somme d'argent

Les partenaires

L’enquête, débutée en janvier 2014, a été menée en partenariat avec la section des Enquêtes multidisciplinaires et coordination jeunesse/équipe de moralité Nord du Service de police de la ville de Montréal, l’Agence des services frontaliers du Canada, le Détachement de la Région du Grand Toronto de la Gendarmerie royale du Canada, la Sûreté aéroportuaire d’Aéroports de Montréal et le Centre d’analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada.

La GRC travaille en étroite collaboration avec ses partenaires canadiens et étrangers pour démanteler des organisations criminelles qui facilitent l’entrée clandestine de personnes au Canada. En perturbant les activités criminelles aux frontières, la GRC contribue à assurer la sécurité de la population.

Appel au public

Vous avez des renseignements sur des activités illicites d’individus en matière d’immigration? Communiquez avec les enquêteurs de la GRC au 1 800 771-5401 ou au 514 939-8300.

Qui peut être victime d’exploitation sexuelle ? Visitez le Centre national de coordination contre la traite de personnes pour en connaître les indicateurs.

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27. Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) [ 2015-02-12 ]

Calgary Crime Group Hit with $5 million Drug Seizure Calgary… Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) has seized millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine, fentanyl, and other drugs, following a year-long investigation into a Calgary organized crime group.

ALERT Calgary, an integrated team consisting of Calgary Police Service and RCMP members, has seized $5 million worth of drugs from an organized crime group that allegedly supplied drugs throughout the province. Seven search warrants were executed in Calgary on February 4, resulting in the arrest of 12 people.

Of the dozen suspects arrested, their alleged roles in the operation vary to include suppliers, manufacturers, and street-level traffickers. The group operated under the leadership of co-accused Donna Thanh Phoung Tran, 33, and Ronald Gene Wan Wong, 35.

The drugs seized have an estimated street value of $5 million, and include:

• 40 kilograms of cocaine • 11,597 fentanyl pills • 1.2 kilograms of methamphetamine • 545 grams of heroin • 182 grams of MDMA • 450 grams of marihuana • 60 kilograms of Phenacetin

The cocaine and fentanyl seizures are the largest of their kind by ALERT.

A variety of weapons were seized, including a Glock handgun that had been previously reported stolen and a TEC-9 handgun.

A total of $600,000 cash proceeds of crime was seized, along with five high-end luxury vehicles. These assets will be submitted to the province’s Civil Forfeiture Office.

Twelve people are facing 66 charges, including conspiracy, organized crime, drugs, weapons, and proceeds of crime:

• Mustafa Al-Bedrawi, a 23-year-old man from Calgary • James Joseph Bailey, 43-year-old man from Surrey, B.C. • Todd Randall Chapman, a 31-year-old man from Smithers, B.C. • Duy-Tam Benny Phan, a 20-year-old man from Calgary • Tam Thanh Bryan Phan, a 19-year-old man from Calgary • Dennis Galen Ross, a 27-year-old man from Smithers, B.C.

• Khoa That Ton, a 29-year-old man from Calgary • Tommy That Ton, a 19-year-old man from Calgary • Nguyen Duong Yen Phung Tran, a 19-year-old woman from Calgary • Donna Thanh Phoung Tran, a 33-year-old woman from Calgary • Thanh Hoang Tony Truong, 34-year-old man from Calgary • Ronald Gene Wan Wong, 35-year-old man from Calgary

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime. Members of Alberta Sheriffs, Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Regional Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, and RCMP work in ALERT.

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ALERT Calgary: News Conference Transcript, February 10, 2015 Good morning. My name is Keith Hurley, a Staff Sergeant with ALERT Calgary.

I will provide a quick overview of the investigation before turning it over to team leader S/Sgt Jason Seper.

On February 4, ALERT Calgary concluded a year-long investigation into a Calgary-based organized crime group. Seven search warrants were executed across the city within the span of a few hours.

The search warrants resulted in the arrest of 12 individuals, who are accused of a variety of criminal offences including:

• conspiracy • organized crime • drugs • weapons • proceeds of crime

The investigation has resulted in the seizure of an estimated $5 million worth of drugs, including:

• 40 kilograms of cocaine • Nearly 12,000 fentanyl pills • 1.2 kilograms of methamphetamine • Half a kilogram of heroin • 182 grams of MDMA • 1 pound of marihuana • 60 kilograms of the buffing agent Fen-a-see-Tin

The cocaine and fentanyl seizures are the largest of their kind by ALERT.

Investigators also seized more than half a million dollars of cash proceeds of crime.

I will now introduce S/Sgt. Jason Seper to provide additional details.

…

Hello my name is Jason Seper. I am a Staff Sergeant with ALERT Calgary and was also the team commander on this file.

This investigation dates back to February 2014. During the past year, ALERT Calgary employed a variety of strategies and investigative techniques to infiltrate and dismantle this organized crime group.

This crime group was allegedly major distributors of drugs in the Calgary area and throughout Alberta.

The evidence presented today is a small glimpse into what could easily be described as a snapshot their operations.

Drug volume of this nature requires a coordinated network for distribution and this investigation tackled all aspects of their criminal operation. Of the dozen people arrested their roles in the operation included suppliers, transporters, manufacturers, and street-level traffickers.

The crime groups operated under the suspected leadership of Donna Tran and Ronald Wong. They are both charged with conspiracy, organized crime, and drug offences.

Not only did we keep these drugs off the street and make sweeping arrests – we managed to hit this group where it hurts the most. Their finances.

Organized crime exists to profit through illegal means. And as demonstrated by the weapons and guns seized, crime groups will resort to any means to achieve profit. And that of course comes at the expense of our communities - through violence, addiction, and fraud.

In this investigation we seized $600,000 in cash, 5 luxury vehicles, and we continue to pursue other assets and property. By wiping out their finances we have completely impeded their ability to function.

Clearly we are proud of the investigation’s accomplishments on a multitude of levels. An investigation such as this speaks to ALERT’s success in bringing together the province’s most sophisticated policing resources to dismantle organized crime.

I wanted to offer my sincere thanks to our partner agencies who assisted on this successful investigation:

• Calgary Police Service • Edmonton Police Service • RCMP • Alberta Sheriffs • CFSEU British Columbia

• Canada Border Services Agency • FINTRAC

Thank you. I would now be happy to answer any questions.

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28. Saskatoon Police Service [ 2015-01-15 ]

Project Forseti - IOC North - Charges/Seizures Project FORSETI is a significant investigation conducted by the Integrated Organized Crime Unit – North (IOC – North); a combined unit with members from both the Saskatoon Police Service and the RCMP. This project is a result of an investigation that began in November, 2013, into organized crime in Saskatchewan. Yesterday, search warrants were executed in Saskatoon and communities in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Search locations are as follows:

• Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – 9 residences, 2 commercial properties • Star City, Saskatchewan – 1 residence • Melfort, Saskatchewan – 1 business • Nipawin, Saskatchewan – 1 business • Warman, Saskatchewan – 2 residences • Red Deer, Alberta – 2 residences • Calgary, Alberta – 1 vehicle

The following are the addresses of locations searched in Saskatoon:

• 900 block Glacier Shores • 100 block Rajput Way • 2500 block 37th Street West • 100 block Silverwood Road • 1100 block Avenue Q South • 1900 block 11th Street West • 100 block 110th Street East • 300 block Cockburn Crescent • 100 block Brown Crescent • 400 block Dickey Crescent

Over the course of this investigation, including yesterday’s searches, investigators seized the following:

• 5.4 kilograms of methamphetamine, • 2.6 kilograms of cocaine, • 3,358 fentanyl pills (counterfeit oxycontin), • 107 grams of heroin • 145 pounds of marihuana, • 456 dilaudid pills, • 454 grams of cannabis resin (hash), • Approximately $100,000 currency as proceeds of crime • 7 vehicles as offence related property

• Approximately 200 firearms including prohibited and restricted firearms (some of the firearms seized were loaded and some were unsecured)

• Tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition, • 4 ballistic vests, • 1 conducted energy weapon

As a result of these searches the following 14 adults were arrested and face the following charges:

1. John FEKETE, DOB: 84-OCT-21, of Saskatoon, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)

1. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cannabis), Section 5(1) CDSA;

2. Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000, 354(1) & 355(a) CC

2. Carl TROBAK, DOB: 87-NOV-13, of Saskatoon, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)

1. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(1) CDSA;

2. Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000, 354(1) & 355(b) CC

3. Justin SMITH, DOB: 82-MAY-12, of Saskatoon, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)

1. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(1) CDSA & Section 465(1)(c) CC

2. 3 counts of: Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (fentanyl), Section 5(1) CDSA;

3. 3 counts of: Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (heroin), Section 5(1) CDSA;

4. Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(1) CDSA;


6. 3 counts of: Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000, 354(1) & 355(a) CC

7. 5 counts of: Failure to comply with conditions Section 145(3) CC

8. Aggravated assault Section 268(1) CC

9. Weapon Trafficking Section 99(1) CC

4. Daryl NAGY, DOB: 89-JUL-06, of Saskatoon, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)



3. 2 counts of: Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000, 354(1) CDSA & 355(a) CC



5. Bradley Carl MANN, DOB: 78-AUG-02, of Martensville, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)

1. Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(1) CDSA & Section 465(1)c CC



4. Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000, 354(1) CDSA & 355(a) CC

6. Terry EIDE, DOB: 83-JUN-22, of Calgary, AB, has been charged with the following and will appear in court at a later date to be determined

1. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(1) CDSA

2. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (fentanyl), Section 5(1) CDSA

3. Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000, 354(1) CDSA & 355(a) CC

7. Rob ALLEN, DOB: 80-JUL-23, of Saskatoon, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)

1. 2 counts of: Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(1) CDSA

8. Ryan HILLMAN, DOB: 87-AUG-09, of Saskatoon, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)

1. 3 counts of: Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance (cannabis), Section 5(1) CDSA & 465(1)(c) CC

2. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cannabis), Section 5(1) CDSA

3. Aggravated Assault, Section 268(1) CC

9. Mark Michael NOWAKOWSKI, DOB: 70-FEB-13, of Saskatoon, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)

1. Aggravated Assault, Section 268(1) CC

10. Christopher Keith LESTER, DOB: 81-MAR-19, of Saskatoon, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)

1. 2 counts of: Conspiracy to Traffic in a Controlled Substance (cannabis), Section 5(1) CDSA & 465(1)(c) CC

11. Layne Joseph James BOORMAN, DOB: 90-APR-13, of Saskatoon, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)

1. Aggravated Assault, Section 268 (1) CC

12. Armand HOUNJET, DOB: 71-OCT-19, of Melfort, SK, has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)

1) Weapon Trafficking, Section 99 CC (3 counts)

2) 2 counts of: Possess a firearm dangerous to the public peace, Section 88 CC

3) 2 counts of: Illegally transfer a firearm, Section 101 (1) CC

4) Transport a firearm in a careless manner, Section 86(1) CC

5) Store a firearm in an unsafe manner, Section 86(2) CC

6) Aggravated assault, Section 268(1) CC

7) Trafficking of Controlled Substance (cannabis) 5(1) CDSA

13. Travis Matthew MILES DOB 89-Mar-18 of Saskatoon, SK has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)

1. Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (methamphetamine), Section 5(2) CDSA

14. Thai Duong TRAN DOB 88-Nov-02 of Vancouver, BC has been charged with the following and appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court this morning (January 15, 2015)

1. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (cocaine), Section 5(1) CDSA

2. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (fentanyl), Section 5(1) CDSA

3. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), Section 5(1) CDSA


As a result of intelligence gathered during Project FORSETI and a joint investigation between IOC – North and the “E” Division RCMP Federal and Serious Organized Crime Unit, a search was conducted on

January 6, 2015, in Burnaby, British Columbia. This search resulted in the seizure of two pill presses and several kilograms of pre-mixed powders. These types of pill presses are industrial level machines commonly associated with the production of MDMA (ecstasy) and fentanyl (counterfeit oxycontin). Investigators became aware of the pill presses after the deaths relating to counterfeit oxycontin in September, 2014.

Fentanyl pills (counterfeit oxycontin) have been linked to several recent deaths in western Canada. Investigators have determined that the fentanyl pills seized during this investigation are of the same chemical composition as the ones responsible for the recent deaths in Saskatoon. “This investigation clearly demonstrates there are individuals who are determined to bring harm into our communities. We can see by the pill press and quantity of illegal drugs and other materials seized, this was not an amateur operation,” said Detective Inspector Jerome Engele, Investigative Support Section, Criminal Investigation Division, Saskatoon Police Service, “It is important for everyone to remember that the only safe medication to take is one prescribed by your physician and purchased from a pharmacy. There is no way to ever guarantee the safety of drugs that are purchased illegally.”

“Complex investigations succeed when law enforcement agencies work in partnership. Charges like these announced today are possible because of the efforts and dedication of the members of the Calgary RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit, Vancouver RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit, Prince Albert Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, Red Deer Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams, Canada Border Services Agency, the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team, various units from the Saskatoon Police Service and the Saskatchewan RCMP, and IOC – North,” said S/Sgt. Donovan Fisher, “The specially trained and equipped police officers in these units provided essential skills and expertise that were critical during this investigation. I commend each of these investigators for their commitment to the communities we all serve.”

Investigators also worked closely with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).

The Integrated Organized Crime Unit – North is continuing their investigation. Arrest warrants and additional charges are anticipated in the upcoming weeks.

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29. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-12-16 ]

Mother-and-son duo plead guilty to Ponzi scheme Calgary, Alberta (December 16, 2014) – On Wednesday, Dec. 10, 45-year-old Lethbridge resident, Anthony Pittarelli, and his 66-year-old mother, Marisa Pittarelli (also known as Giovanna Campanelli-Pittarelli), both pled guilty to seven counts of fraud.

The charges are related to an investment fraud scheme where people were invited to invest in an entertainment event ticket reselling business. Tickets to popular events, such as concerts or sporting events, were claimed to be bought and resold at a profit to investors. In reality, there was no ticket reselling business. Instead, the money of the people who were deliberately deceived by the Pittarelli’s was used to repay earlier investors who had also been lied to. Some of the money taken from these people was used for the personal gain of Anthony Pittarelli and Marisa Pittarelli. This type of criminal defrauding is commonly known as a Ponzi scheme.

The guilty pleas are in relation to seven victims who collectively lost over $1.3 million. Sentencing for Anthony Pittarelli and Marisa Pittarelli is scheduled for April 20, 2015 in Lethbridge.

"Too many people fall victim to these schemes every year,” says Inspector Gord Sereda, Officer in Charge of RCMP Integrated Market Enforcement Team (IMET) and Financial Integrity. “This investigation is one of several investment fraud investigations brought to court by IMET and Financial Integrity in recent years. Recent investment fraud and Ponzi scheme cases we've investigated that have gone to court have affected hundreds of investors who lost many millions of dollars. We hope that through awareness, prevention, investigation and disruption, IMET and Financial Integrity can help reduce the number of people whose financial futures are put in serious jeopardy by falling victim to these schemes."

Throughout this investigation and prosecution, the RCMP worked in close collaboration with partner agencies, and would like to thank the following for their contribution:

• Alberta Justice, Specialized Prosecutions Branch • Alberta Securities Commission • Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC) • Lethbridge Regional Police Service • Public Prosecution Service of Canada • Public Works Forensic Accounting Management Group (FAMG)

The IMET mandate is to prevent, investigate and support the prosecution of serious Criminal Code capital market fraud offences that are of regional or national significance and that threaten investor confidence or the economic stability of Canada. Maintaining investor confidence in Canada’s publicly traded companies, capital markets and other investments is crucial in today’s economic environment. This mandate now falls under the RCMP “K” Division Financial Integrity Team in Calgary.

The RCMP’s capital market investigative resources can include: highly specialized RCMP investigators, Public Prosecution Service of Canada legal advisors, securities regulators, representatives of other federal enforcement agencies, law enforcement agencies of local jurisdiction, forensic accountants, and various support staff.

Further information about the RCMP Integrated Market Enforcement Teams can be found here.

Further information about Investment and Security frauds can be found here.

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Une mère et son fils plaident coupable à une accusation de combine à la Ponzi Calgary (Alberta), le 16 décembre 2014 − Le mercredi 10 décembre 2014, Anthony Pittarelli un homme de 45 ans et sa mère, Marisa Pittarelli (aussi connue sous le nom de Giovanna Campanelli-Pittarelli), 66 ans, tous deux résidents de Lethbridge, ont plaidé coupable à sept chefs de fraude.

Les accusations sont en lien avec un stratagème de fraude en matière d’investissements dans lequel des personnes ont été invitées à investir dans une entreprise de revente de billets de spectacles. Les fraudeurs prétendaient qu’ils achetaient des billets pour des évènements courus, comme des spectacles ou des évènements sportifs, et qu’ils les revendaient à profit aux investisseurs. En fait, l’entreprise de revente de billets n’existait. L’argent versé par les investisseurs délibérément trompés par les Pittarelli servait à rembourser d’autres investisseurs qui eux aussi avaient été trompés. Une partie de l’argent soutiré à ces investisseurs enrichissait personnellement Anthony et Marisa Pittarelli. Ce type de fraude est couramment appelé combine à la Ponzi.

Les plaidoyers de culpabilité sont en lien avec sept victimes qui ont collectivement perdu plus de 1,3 million de dollars.La détermination de la peine aura lieu le 20 avril 2015 à Lethbridge.

Voici ce que l’inspecteur Gord Sereda, officier responsable de l’Équipe intégrée de la police des marchés financiers (EIPMF) et le Programme de l’intégrité financière de la GRC à Calgary, a déclaré à ce sujet :

« Trop de gens sont victimes de ces stratagèmes chaque année. Cette enquête est l’une de plusieurs menées sur les fraudes en matière d’investissements par l’EIPMF et le Programme de l’intégrité financière qui ont fait l’objet de poursuites criminelles au cours des dernières années. Les cas de fraude en matière d’investissements et de combine à la Ponzi sur lesquels nous avons récemment enquêté et qui ont été traduits en justice ont touché des centaines d’investisseurs qui ont perdu des millions de dollars. Nous espérons que la sensibilisation, la prévention, les enquêtes et la perturbation permettront à l’EIPMF et au Programme de l’intégrité financière de contribuer à réduire le nombre de victimes de ces stratagèmes dont l’avenir financier est gravement compromis. »

La GRC tient à remercier et à souligner la contribution des organismes partenaires avec lesquels elle a étroitement collaboré tout au long de cette enquête et de cette poursuite qui ont porté fruit :

• Direction des poursuites spécialisées du ministère de la Justice de l’Alberta

• Commission des valeurs mobilières de l’Alberta • Centre d’analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE) • Service de police régional de Lethbridge • Service des poursuites pénales du Canada • Groupe de la gestion juricomptable (GGJ) de Travaux publics et Services gouvernementaux

Canada

L’EIPMF a comme mandat de prévenir, d’enquêter et d’appuyer les poursuites criminelles contre les infractions graves au Code criminel qui sont liées aux marchés financiers, qui ont une portée régionale ou nationale et qui ébranlent la confiance des investisseurs ou la stabilité économique du Canada. Il est essentiel de maintenir la confiance des investisseurs envers les sociétés cotées en bourse, les marchés financiers et les autres investissements canadiens dans l’économie actuelle. Ce mandat relève maintenant du Groupe de l’intégrité financière de la Division K de la GRC à Calgary.

Les ressources de la GRC réservées aux enquêtes sur les marchés financiers peuvent comprendre les inspecteurs hautement spécialisés de la GRC, les conseillers juridiques du Service des poursuites pénales du Canada, les organismes de réglementation des valeurs mobilières, les représentants d’autres organismes fédéraux d’application de la loi, les organismes locaux d’application de la loi, les comptables judiciaires et divers membres du personnel de soutien.

Pour obtenir plus de renseignements sur les équipes intégrées de la police des marchés financiers de la GRC, visitez.

Pour obtenir plus de renseignements sur les fraudes en matière d’investissements et en valeurs mobilières, visitez.

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30. Unité permanente anticorruption [ 2014-10-15 ]

L’accusé Riadh Ben Aissa a été extradé en sol québécois Montréal, le 15 octobre 2014 – Le commissaire à la lutte contre la corruption, M. Robert Lafrenière, confirme que les autorités suisses ont procédé à l’extradition de Riadh Ben Aissa, un des coaccusés dans le projet Lauréat. Ce dernier est arrivé au Québec en milieu d’après-midi et il est actuellement détenu par la Sûreté du Québec.

Rappel des faits

Riadh Ben Aissa, ex-vice-président directeur, division construction de SNC-Lavalin, a été accusé au Québec en février 2013 pour son implication présumée dans un stratagème de corruption impliquant des transactions frauduleuses de plusieurs millions de dollars en échange du lucratif contrat de construction du Centre universitaire de santé McGill (CUSM).

Au moment où le Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales a autorisé les 16 chefs d’accusations criminelles pour fraude, complot pour fraude, fraude envers le gouvernement, fabrication de faux, commissions secrètes et recyclage des produits de la criminalité, l’accusé était déjà entre les mains de la justice suisse. Le processus d’extradition s’est alors amorcé. Soulignons que dans cette enquête, l’UPAC a pu bénéficier de la collaboration du gouvernement suisse, de Justice Canada et du Centre d’analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE).

Le projet Lauréat est un dossier d’enquête qui a déjà mené à l’arrestation de: Pierre Duhaime, Yanaï Elbaz, Yohann Elbaz, Jeremy Morris, Stéphane Roy, St-Clair Martin Armitage et Pamela Porter. Quant à Arthur Porter, il est détenu dans une prison du Panama depuis son arrestation par INTERPOL en mai 2013 et son processus d’extradition suit son cours.

Le Commissaire à la lutte contre la corruption coordonne et dirige des unités d’enquête, de vérification et de prévention afin de lutter contre la corruption dans le secteur public québécois. Les citoyens peuvent appeler le 1 888 444-1701 pour transmettre toute information relative à des actes répréhensibles ou gestes d’intimidation en matière de corruption ou de collusion.

Source : Commissaire à la lutte contre la corruption

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31. Niagara Regional Police Service [ 2014-09-25 ]

Drugs - Southern Ontario International Drug Trafficking Arrests – Update 4 Yearlong Investigation into International Drug Trafficking based in Southern Ontario leads to multiple arrests and searches. UPDATE 4 – In late 2013 members of the Niagara Regional Police Special Investigation Support Unit began an investigation into the activities of an International Drug trafficking organization based in the Niagara and Peel Regions of Southern Ontario. The investigation was expanded in February 2013 and the Niagara Regional Police partnered with Canada Border Services Agency, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Serious and Organized Crime Section and Financial Crime Sections in Hamilton, London and Toronto and the Peel Regional Police Service. The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Center of Canada (FINTRAC) also provided assistance to the investigation as it progressed. The investigation became known as Project Roadmaster. The investigation uncovered evidence of Cocaine Importation and trafficking, Money Laundering and Participating in a Criminal Organization. In the early morning hours of September 22, 2014, approximately 200 officers from across Ontario assisted Project Roadmaster in executing 30 search and arrest warrants in several areas of Southern Ontario. The assisting agencies included the Barrie Police Service, The South Simcoe Police Service, OPP, RCMP, Peel Regional Police Service, Niagara Regional Police Service and the Canada Border Services Agency. As a result of this operation an initial total of 13 Southern Ontario residents along with one Mexican resident have been arrested for various criminal offences including Narcotics, Proceeds of crime, and Criminal Organization related offences. As a result of the arrest and searches conducted on September 22, 2014.

The following persons are charged:

• Vito BUFFONE. 50 years of Caledon, Ontario • Jeffrey KOMPON 43 years of Welland, Ontario • Raul BULHOSEN. 42 years of Mississauga, Ontario • Borja VILALTA-CASTELLANOS. 29 years of Toronto, Ontario • Marco CIPOLLONE. 38 years of Toronto, Ontario • John Edward OLIVER. 67 years of Toronto, Ontario • Dean BRENNAN. 38 years of Toronto, Ontario • Victor LUCERO. 40 years of Innisfil, Ontario • Laurence AIELLO. 61 years of Fort Eire, Ontario • Guy CAPUTO. 69 years of Fonthill, Ontario • Herman JONES. 45 years of Brampton, Ontario • Luis GARCIA. 30 years of Toronto, Ontario • Jamie Ortiz 29 years of Mexico City, Mexico • Patricia Pinkerton. 29 years of Toronto, Ontario

Police believe that, with the exception of Patricia Pinkerton, all of the accused in this matter played a variety of important roles in this criminal organization that was responsible for the large scale

importation of cocaine into Canada. Investigators believe that large amounts of cocaine were being imported through various Canadian border points, including the Port of Montreal. The cocaine was then transported to Southern Ontario for distribution. It is believed that this group has been operating since 2012. As a result of the September 22nd, 2014 takedown of Project Roadmaster, investigators have thus far seized or restrained the following items:

• Million dollars’ worth of Cocaine-$250,000 worth of Marihuana • $430,000 cash • 9mm Beretta Handgun and two shotguns • 13 offence related vehicles including a 2005 Ferrari and 1979 Porsche worth an approximate

value of $500,000 • Assorted high value watches and other jewelry worth approximately $400,000 • Warehouse equipment including a rock saw, front end loader and tow motor worth

approximately $200,000

The warehouse at 3512 Nugent Road in Port Colborne and a home in Washago, Ontario have also been restrained under Proceeds of Crime legislation. The investigation into this matter is continuing. Investigations such as this demonstrate the commitment of the Niagara Regional Police Service and their partners to disrupt the flow of illegal narcotics and to disrupt and dismantle Criminal Organizations in this Region and elsewhere. For further details please contact the undersigned. S/Sgt. Shawn ClarksonNiagara Regional Police ServiceSpecial Investigative Support Unit905-688-4111 Ext 5370.

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32. Charges laid in bankruptcy fraud investigation [ 2014-09-24 ]

TORONTO, Sept. 24, 2014 /CNW/ – The Integrated Bankruptcy Enforcement Unit, comprised of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Greater Toronto Area Financial Crime Section and the Ontario Region Special Investigation Unit of the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB SIU), charged Kugathasan ARUNAGIRI, a 38 year old male from Scarborough, Ontario with offences under the Criminal Code (CC) and Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA). The allegations relate to fraud and the abuse of the bankruptcy process.

As a result of this investigation, ARUNAGIRI has been charged with the following offences:

• Section 362(1)(b) CC, Obtain Credit by Fraud • Section 198(1)(a) BIA, Fraudulent Disposition of Property • Section 198(1)(b) BIA, Refuse or Neglect to Answer Fully and Truthfully • Section 198(1)(c) BIA, Omission in a Statement

The investigation began in May 2013 after the RCMP/OSB SIU received information of possible wrongdoing by Mr. ARUNAGIRI. It is alleged Mr. ARUNAGIRI fraudulently used his credit sources beyond the credit limit granted to him by the creditor institutions prior to filing for bankruptcy on May 10, 2012. This was accomplished by issuing "non-sufficient funds" (NSF) payment cheques to credit sources which temporarily restored the credit limit thus enabling Mr. ARUNAGIRI to make large jewelry purchases in Singapore, withdraw funds as cash, and transfer funds to associates. No genuine payments were made to the accounts and the debtor declared bankruptcy. Fifteen creditor institutions were victims of this fraud and are owed over $400,000.

The matter is scheduled for first appearance at the Ontario Court of Justice - Old City Hall in Toronto on September 26, 2014.

During this investigation, the Integrated Bankruptcy Enforcement Unit was assisted by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), who provided disclosures which contributed to the success of this investigation.

The RCMP and the OSB SIUs will continue to combine their efforts to investigate allegations of criminal wrongdoing related to bankruptcy and insolvency matters in order to protect the integrity of the insolvency system in Canada.

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Accusations portées dans le cadre d'une enquête sur une fraude en matière de faillite TORONTO, le 24 sept. 2014 /CNW/ - L'Unité intégrée de contrôle des mises en faillite, qui regroupe la Section de la criminalité financière de la région du grand Toronto (RGT) de la Gendarmerie royale du Canada (GRC) et l'Unité des enquêtes spéciales du Bureau du surintendant des faillites de l'Ontario, a déposé des accusations contre Kugathasan ARUNAGIRI, 38 ans, de Scarborough, en Ontario, en vertu du Code criminel (CC) et de la Loi sur la faillite et l'insolvabilité (LFI). Les allégations concernent une fraude et l'abus de la procédure de mise en faillite.

Au terme de cette enquête, M. ARUNAGIRI a été accusé des infractions suivantes :

• Obtention de crédit par un faux-semblant, en vertu de l'article 362(1)(b) du CC • Avoir disposé de façon frauduleuse des biens en vertu de l'article 198(1)(a) de la LFI • Avoir refusé ou négligé de répondre véridiquement aux questions posées au cours d'un

interrogatoire, en vertu de l'article 198(1)(b) de la LFI • Avoir commis une omission dans un état, en vertu de l'article 198(1)(c) de la LFI

Cette enquête a commencé en mai 2013 après que la GRC/l'Unité des enquêtes spéciales du Bureau du surintendant des faillites de l'Ontario eurent reçu des renseignements sur des actes répréhensibles potentiels commis par M. ARUNAGIRI. M. ARUNAGIRI aurait utilisé ses sources de crédit de façon frauduleuse, dépassant la limite de crédit accordée par les institutions de crédit, avant de déclarer faillite le 10 mai 2012. Pour ce faire, il a émis des chèques de paiement sans provision sur les sources de crédit afin de rétablir temporairement la limite de crédit et lui permettre ainsi d'effectuer d'importants achats de bijoux à Singapour, de retirer des montants en espèces et de transférer des fonds à des associés. Aucun paiement légitime n'a été effectué sur les comptes et l'emprunteur a déclaré faillite. Quinze institutions de crédit ont été victimes de cette fraude pour un montant total de plus de 400 000 $.

La première comparution de l'accusé en lien avec cette affaire est prévue le 26 septembre 2014 devant la Cour de justice de l'Ontario, à l'Ancien hôtel de ville de Toronto.

Dans le cadre de cette enquête, l'Unité intégrée de contrôle des mises en faillite a pu compter sur l'aide du Centre d'analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE), qui lui a communiqué des renseignements ayant contribué à la conclusion fructueuse de l'enquête.

La GRC et les unités des enquêtes spéciales du Bureau du surintendant des faillites vont continuer d'unir leurs efforts pour enquêter sur des allégations d'actes criminels en matière de faillite et d'insolvabilité afin de protéger l'intégrité du système d'insolvabilité au Canada.

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33. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-08-20 ]

RCMP seize 2.2 kilos, over $ 127,190 cash and charge two – Bank account frozen Red Deer, Alberta (August 20, 2014) — A 9-month RCMP investigation has resulted in charges against a man and a woman from Red Deer, Alberta. On August 1, 2014, Shane Clifford WHITE (age 29) and Alyssa Marilyn LANDRY (age 23) were charged with drug and Criminal Code offences. Their first appearance court date is set for August 21, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. in Red Deer Provincial Court.

In June 2014, investigators of the RCMP Federal Policing Serious and Organized Crime Team (FSOC) executed search warrants at a Red Deer residence, where 2.2 kilograms of marijuana and $127,190.00 cash was found and seized. Further investigation has led to the restraint of bank accounts valued at approximately $103,000.00.

Shane WHITE has been charged with trafficking a controlled substance contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), being in possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking – 5(2) CDSA, laundering the proceeds of crime contrary to section 462.31 of the Criminal Code and possession of the proceeds of crime – 354 of the Criminal Code.

Alyssa LANDRY has been charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking - 5(1) CDSA and possession of the proceeds of crime – 354 Criminal Code.

RCMP FSOC was assisted by investigators from the RCMP Red Deer detachment, and supported by intelligence provided by FINTRAC (Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada).

"The RCMP is committed to reducing harm and preventing crime in communities across Alberta. The success of this investigation is due to the hard work and determination of many RCMP officers working in a coordinated fashion over many months", says Superintendent Frank Smart, RCMP Federal Policing Officer. "Crime does not pay! We have disrupted this drug trafficking operation by seizing their drugs and their money."

SOC teams include RCMP officers who specialize in conducting complex organized crime investigations. Investigators on these teams have expertise in drug trafficking, money laundering and financial investigations at the local, national and international level.

The Mandate and Objectives of the “K” Division RCMP Federal Policing Serious and Organized Crime Teams includes:

• To Identify, disrupt and dismantle serious and organized criminal operations and: • To disrupt and dismantle organized crime groups involved in serious criminal offences. • To effectively identity, seize and restrain criminally derived profits and related assets with the

goal of criminal charges or forfeiture within all organized crime investigations.

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La GRC saisit de 2,2 kg de drogue, plus de 127 190 $ en espèces, bloque des comptes bancaires et porte des accusations contre 2 personnes Red Deer (Alberta), 20 août 2014 — Après une enquête de neuf mois, la GRC a déposé des accusations contre un homme et une femme de Red Deer, en Alberta. Le 1er août 2014, Shane Clifford WHITE, 29 ans, et Alyssa Marilyn LANDRY 23 ans ont été accusés d'infractions en matière de drogues et en vertu du Code criminel. Ils comparaîtront le 21 août 2014 à 9 h 30 à la cour provinciale à Red Deer.

En juin dernier, le Groupe fédéral des crimes graves et du crime organisé de la GRC a exécuté des mandats de perquisition dans une résidence de Red Deer, où ils ont trouvé et saisi 2,2 kg de marihuana et 127 190 $ en espèces. L'enquête a aussi permis de bloquer des comptes bancaires valant environ 103 000 $.

En vertu de la Loi réglementant certaines drogues et autres substances, Shane WHITE a été accusé de trafic d'une substance désignée à l’encontre du paragraphe 5(1) et de possession d’une substance dans le but d'en faire le trafic à l’encontre du paragraphe 5(2). Il fait aussi l’objet d’accusations en vertu du Code criminel, soit recyclage des produits de la criminalité à l’encontre de l’article 462.31 et de possession de biens criminellement obtenus à l’encontre de l'article 354.

Alyssa LANDRY a été accusée de possession d’une substance dans le but d'en faire le trafic, contrairement au paragraphe 5(2) de la Loi réglementant certaines drogues et autres substances et de possession de biens criminellement obtenus, contrairement à l'article 354 du Code criminel.

Le Groupe fédéral des crimes graves et du crime organisé de la GRC a reçu l'aide du détachement de Red Deer, en plus de pouvoir compter sur des renseignements fournis par le CANAFE (Centre d'analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada).

« La GRC est déterminée à faire le bien et à prévenir le crime dans les communautés albertaines. Nous devons le succès de notre enquête au travail acharné et à la détermination des policiers de la GRC qui ont concerté leurs efforts pendant plusieurs mois. Le crime ne paie pas! Nous avons perturbé les activités de trafic de drogue de ce groupe en saisissant leurs drogues et leur argent. » a souligné le surintendant Frank Smart, dirigeant de la Police fédérale à la GRC.

Le Groupe fédéral des crimes graves et du crime organisé est formé de policiers qui se spécialisent dans les enquêtes complexes sur le crime organisé. Ces agents sont des experts des enquêtes relatives au trafic de drogue, au blanchiment d'argent et aux finances au niveau local, national ou international.

Le mandat et les objectifs du Groupe comprennent :

• Identifier, perturber et démanteler les activités criminelles graves du crime organisé. • Perturber et démanteler les groupes criminels organisé qui commettent des crimes graves. • Identifier, saisir et bloquer les produits de la criminalité et autres actifs dans le but de déposer

des accusations criminelles ou de démanteler complètement les groupes de crime organisé. –30–

34. RCMP Charge 11 in Investment Scam [ 2014-06-20 ]

TORONTO, June 19, 2014 /CNW/ – The RCMP's Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Financial Crime unit has charged 11 Ontarians after over 150 international investors lost $4.4 million dollars in an alleged elaborate investment scam.

The RCMP began the investigation after receiving information from the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) that many investors had been defrauded in what appeared to be an investment scam. The RCMP investigation revealed that between 2003 and 2006, over 150 investors from the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) were enticed to invest by purchasing shares of an apparent biomedical company trading on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB), led by Ivan Cavric. The company was National Detection Clinics Limited (NDCL) which was formerly known as Discovery Biosciences and became TGC Ventures Inc. Investors were told that NDCL were going to open up clinics after they had developed an early stage breast cancer infra-red detection system that had received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

After a review of the financial transactions and through further investigation, it is alleged that Cavric's organization set out to deceive investors. The medical technology had not been approved and none of the investors' money went towards opening, purchasing or implementing any clinics or equipment.

The investigation has shown that numerous individuals belonged to, participated in and assisted in crimes being committed and played a part in the Cavric organization. All individuals benefitted from the funds through laundering the proceeds or through being paid wages from investor funds.

The following people have been charged with various offences under the Criminal Code in relation to this investment scam:

• Ivan Cavric, age 54 of Welland, Ontario • Americo Derosa, age 58 of Niagara on the Lake, Ontario • Elwood Henkle, age 64, last known address Pefferlaw, Ontario • Sharon Finestone, age 65 of Jacksons Point, Ontario • Joanne Woodcroft, age 49 of Niagara Falls, Ontario • Terri Costiff, age 42 of Thorold, Ontario • Joane Laprise, age 53 of Welland, Ontario • Katherine Bassi, age 64 of Welland, Ontario • Sandra Landsman, age 71 last known address Pefferlaw, Ontario • Frederick Kimber, age 55 of Hagersville, Ontario • Tabitha Dempsey, age 31 of Niagara Falls, Ontario

The various offences are as follows:

1. Fraud Over $5000, s. 380(1)(a) CC 2. Laundering proceeds of crime, s. 462.31(1)(a) CC

3. Possession of proceeds of crime value exceeds $5000, s. 355(a) CC 4. Commission of offence for criminal organization (fraud), s. 467.12(1) CC 5. Commission of offence for criminal organization (money laundering), s. 467.12(1) CC

Americo DEROSA, Elwood HENKLE, also known as, Alan LANDSMAN or Peter JOHANSON and Sandra LANDSMAN have warrants for their arrest and they are actively being sought by the RCMP.

"The RCMP is committed to bringing to justice those who seek to defraud investors through elaborate schemes", stated Inspector Ann Koenig, RCMP GTA Financial Crime Unit. "Ensuring Canada's Economic Integrity continues to be a priority for the RCMP".

The RCMP would like to thank the Ontario Securities Commission, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) for their valuable contribution to this investigation.

Anyone with information in regards to the location of the wanted accused persons are asked to contact your local police, the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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La GRC accuse 11 personnes liées à une fraude en matière de placement

TORONTO, le 19 juin 2014 /CNW/ - Le Groupe de la criminalité financière de la région du grand Toronto (RGT) de la Gendarmerie royale du Canada (GRC) a accusé 11 Ontariens après que plus de 150 investisseurs internationaux ont perdu 4,4 millions de dollars dans ce qu'on présume être une fraude élaborée en matière de placement.

La GRC a commencé son enquête après avoir reçu de l'information de la Commission des valeurs mobilières de l'Ontario (CVMO) selon laquelle de nombreux investisseurs avaient été victimes de ce qui semblait être une fraude en matière de placement. L'enquête de la GRC a révélé que, de 2003 à 2006, plus de 150 investisseurs des États-Unis (É.-U.) et du Royaume-Uni (R.-U.) ont été encouragés à investir en achetant des actions d'une apparente société biomédicale se négociant sur l'Over the Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB) (marché hors cote), société dirigée par Ivan Cavric. La société était la National Detection Clinics Limited (NDCL), connue auparavant sous le nom de Discovery Biosciences et devenue TGC Ventures Inc. On disait aux investisseurs que NDCL allait ouvrir des cliniques après avoir mis au point un système de dépistage du cancer du sein par imagerie infrarouge à un stade précoce qui avait reçu l'approbation de la Food and Drug Administration (FDA) des États-Unis.

Après un examen des transactions financières et une enquête plus poussée, on présume que l'organisation de Cavric visait à tromper les investisseurs. La technologie médicale n'avait pas été approuvée et l'argent des investisseurs n'a jamais servi à ouvrir, à acheter ou à exploiter une clinique ni à acheter de l'équipement.

L'enquête a montré que plusieurs individus ont fait partie de l'organisation de Cavric, ont participé aux crimes commis et ont joué un rôle dans l'organisation. Tous ces individus ont bénéficié des fonds grâce au blanchiment des produits de la criminalité ou en étant rémunérés à partir des fonds des investisseurs.

Les personnes suivantes ont été accusées de diverses infractions en vertu du Code criminel en lien avec cette fraude en matière de placement :

• Ivan Gavric, 54 ans, de Welland, en Ontario • Americo Derosa, 58 ans, de Niagara-on-the-Lake, en Ontario • Elwood Henkle, 64 ans, dernière adresse connue à Pefferlaw, en Ontario • Sharon Finestone, 65 ans, de Jacksons Point, en Ontario • Joanne Woodcroft, 49 ans, de Niagara Falls (Ontario) • Terri Costiff, 42 ans, de Thorold, en Ontario • Joane Laprise, 53 ans, de Welland, en Ontario • Katherine Basi, 64 ans, de Welland, en Ontario • Sandra Landsman, 71 ans, dernière adresse connue à Pefferlaw, en Ontario • Frederick Kimber, 55 ans, de Hagersville, en Ontario • Tabitha Dempsey, 31 ans, de Niagara Falls, en Ontario

Les infractions sont les suivantes :

1. Article 380(1)(a) du Code criminel - Fraude de plus de 5 000 $ 2. Article 462.31(1)(a) du Code criminel - Blanchiment de produits de la criminalité 3. Article 355(a) du Code criminel - Possession de produits de la criminalité de plus de 5 000 $ 4. Article 467.12(1) du Code criminel - perpétration d'une infraction pour une organisation criminelle

(fraude) 5. Article 467.12(1) du Code criminel - perpétration d'une infraction pour une organisation criminelle

(blanchiment d'argent)

Americo DEROSA, Elwood HENKLE, connu aussi sous le nom d'Alan LANDSMAN ou de Peter JOHANSON, et Sandra LANDSMAN font l'objet d'un mandat d'arrestation et sont activement recherchés par la GRC.

« La GRC est déterminée à faire traduire en justice les personnes qui cherchent à escroquer des investisseurs en utilisant des stratagèmes élaborés », a déclaré l'inspectrice Ann Koenig, Groupe de la criminalité financière de la RGT de la GRC. « Veiller à l'intégrité économique du Canada demeure une priorité pour la GRC. »

La GRC tient à remercier la Commission des valeurs mobilières de l'Ontario, la Securities and Exchange Commission des États-Unis ainsi que le Centre d'analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE) pour leur précieuse collaboration à cette enquête.

Toute personne détenant de l'information au sujet du lieu où se trouvent les personnes accusées et recherchées est priée de communiquer avec son service de police local, avec la GRC de l'Ontario au 1-800-387-0020 ou, de façon anonyme, avec Échec au crime au 1-800-222-8477.

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35. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-06-12 ]

Project Clemenza: Two Major Italian Organized Crime Cells Dismantled Montréal, June 12, 2014 – Two major Italian-based organized crime cells were dismantled today by members of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU). Thirty-three individuals were arrested in various areas of Québec, including Montréal, Laval and Québec City. Two individuals are wanted at this time. These very dangerous and well-structured networks aimed at controlling drug trafficking as well as the right to trade in specific territories in Montréal. The investigation, called Project CLEMENZA, was initiated in 2010.

Through the interception of electronic communications on BlackBerry devices (Pin to Pin messaging), the investigators were able to identify the suspects in relation to a series of violent crimes committed on the Montréal territory between 2010 and 2012: arson, weapon cache, forcible confinement, drug trafficking, gangsterism and conspiracy. Over one million private messages were intercepted and analysed as evidence using the PIN to PIN interception technique. This was the first time that this technique was used on such a large scale in a major investigation in North America.

Charges

The investigators targeted the main leaders as well as all the key players of the organizations. One of the cells investigated was associated to the Bastone brothers and the other was associated to the now deceased Giuseppe De Vito. The individuals face various charges including conspiracy, gangsterism, drug importation, trafficking and possession, kidnapping and forcible confinement, possession of weapons and explosives, arson, extortion, assault. A total of 87 counts were filed. The accused are:

• Abdallah, Hussein, 23, Montréal-Nord • Awada, Ali, 26, Incarcerated • Barberio, Davide, 34, Terrebonne • Bastone, Antonio, 51, St-Jean-de-Matha • Bastone, Roberto, 41, Laval • Castronovo, Alberto, 32, Laval • Cecere, Steven, 27, St-Léonard • Conforti, Gina Linda, 37, St-Léonard • Di Marco, Michele, 43, Chertsey • Di Marco, Nicola, 45, St-Léonard • Dubé, Sophie, 42, St-Robert • Dumoulin-Richer, Yanie, 33, Saint-Agapit • Fetta, Giuseppe, 34, Laval • Flores, Jaime, 48, Unknown address (WANTED) • Fosco, Dante, 52, Montréal-Nord • Fosco, Mikel, 22, Barrie (Ontario)

• Gervasi, Giovanni, 49, Gatineau (WANTED) • Hébert, Louis-Marie, 49, Terrebonne • Jetté, Robert, 41, Ste-Adolphe d’Howard • Kachouh, Hicham, 37, Unknown address • Karounis, Mike Markos, 63, Montréal • Lafontaine, Luc, 48, Incarcerated • Léveillé, Guy, 78, St-Hyacinthe • Milhomme, Fenel, 29, Montréal • Paolucci, Marcello, 34, Terrebonne • Paparelli, Massimo, 26, Montréal-Nord • Poux, Michael Andrew, 33, Mascouche • Silvano, Pasquale, 52, Laval • Silvano, Patrizio, 50, Laval • Sucapane, Alessandro, 49, Lorraine • Testani, Angelo, 36, Montréal • Tremblay Cazes, Frédéric, 30, Montréal

The accused should appear in court in Montréal this afternoon.

Wanted

• Flores, Jaime, 48, Unknown address • Gervasi, Giovanni, 49, Gatineau • Abdallah, Hussein, 23, Montréal-Nord • Silvano, Patrizio, 50, Laval

Assets Seized

As part of today’s operation, the investigators of the Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit (IPOC) conducted ten searches and seized two residences and two bank accounts. The total estimated value of the seizure is $1M. Located in Laval and St-Côme, the properties belonged to Roberto Bastone.

Fighting Organized Crime

Between 2007 and 2011, Montréal was scene of waves of violence related to the instability in traditional Italian organized crime at the time. The objective of Project CLEMENZA was to target and eliminate the active Italian-based cells that took over in the wake of Project Colisée.

The investigation was carried out in partnership with the Sûreté du Québec, the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal, the Service de police de la Ville de Laval, Canada Border Services Agency, Canada Revenue Agency and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).

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Projet Clemenza : démantèlement de deux cellules majeures du crime organisé italien Montréal, le 12 juin 2014 – Deux cellules majeures du crime organisé de souche italienne ont été démantelées aujourd’hui par les policiers de l’Unité mixte d’enquête sur le crime organisé (UMECO). Trente-trois personnes ont été arrêtées dans plusieurs régions du Québec, notamment à Montréal, Laval et Québec. Deux personnes sont toujours recherchées. Ces réseaux, très structurés et dangereux, opéraient dans le but de contrôler le trafic de stupéfiants ainsi que le droit de faire du commerce dans des territoires respectifs à Montréal. L’enquête, nommée Clemenza, a été amorcée en 2010.

C’est grâce à l’interception de communications électroniques sur BlackBerry (messagerie Pin to Pin) que les enquêteurs ont pu identifier les suspects en lien avec plusieurs crimes violents commis sur le territoire de la Ville de Montréal entre 2010 et 2012 : incendies criminels, cache d’armes, séquestration, trafic de drogue, gangstérisme et complot. Plus d’un million de messages privés ont été interceptés et analysés en preuve à l’aide de la technique d’interception PIN to PIN. C’est la première fois que cette technique est utilisée à aussi grande échelle dans le cadre d’une enquête d’envergure en Amérique du Nord.

Accusations

Les enquêteurs ont ciblé les principaux dirigeants ainsi que l’ensemble des joueurs clés des organisations visées. L’une des cellules enquêtée est associée aux frères Bastone, l’autre à Giuseppe De Vito, aujourd’hui décédé. Les individus feront notamment face à des accusations de complot, gangstérisme, importation, trafic et possession de stupéfiants, enlèvement et séquestration, possession d’armes et d’explosifs, incendies criminels, extorsion, voies de fait. Un total de 87 chefs d’accusation ont été déposés. Les accusés sont :

• Abdallah, Hussein, 23 ans, de Montréal-Nord • Awada, Ali, 26 ans, incarcéré • Barberio, Davide, 34 ans, de Terrebonne • Bastone, Antonio, 51 ans, de St-Jean-de-Matha • Bastone, Roberto, 41 ans, de Laval • Castronovo, Alberto, 32 ans, de Laval • Cecere, Steven, 27 ans, de St-Léonard • Conforti, Gina Linda, 37 ans, de St-Léonard • Di Marco, Michele, 43 ans, de Chertsey • Di Marco, Nicola, 45 ans, de St-Léonard • Dubé, Sophie, 42 ans, de St-Robert • Dumoulin-Richer, Yanie, 33 ans, de Saint-Agapit • Fetta, Giuseppe, 34 ans, de Laval • Flores, Jaime, 48 ans, adresse inconnue (RECHERCHÉ) • Fosco, Dante, 52 ans, de Montréal-Nord

• Fosco, Mikel, 22 ans, de Barrie (Ontario) • Gervasi, Giovanni, 49 ans, de Gatineau (RECHERCHÉ) • Hébert, Louis-Marie, 49 ans, de Terrebonne • Jetté, Robert, 41 ans, de Ste-Adolphe d’Howard • Kachouh, Hicham, 37 ans, adresse inconnue • Karounis, Mike Markos, 63 ans, de Montréal • Lafontaine, Luc, 48 ans, incarcéré • Léveillé, Guy, 78 ans, de St-Hyacinthe • Milhomme, Fenel, 29 ans, de Montréal • Paolucci, Marcello, 34 ans, de Terrebonne • Paparelli, Massimo, 26 ans, de Montréal-Nord • Poux, Michael Andrew, 33 ans, de Mascouche • Silvano, Pasquale, 52 ans, de Laval • Silvano, Patrizio, 50 ans, de Laval • Sucapane, Alessandro, 49 ans, de Lorraine • Testani, Angelo, 36 ans, de Montréal • Tremblay Cazes, Frédéric, 30 ans, de Montréal

Les accusés devraient comparaître cet après-midi au Palais de Justice de Montréal.

Recherchés

• Flores, Jaime, 48 ans, adresse inconnue • Gervasi, Giovanni, 49 ans, de Gatineau • Abdallah, Hussein, 23 ans, de Montréal-Nord • Silvano, Patrizio, 50 ans, de Laval

Biens saisis

Dans le cadre de l’opération d’aujourd’hui, les enquêteurs de l’Unité mixte des produits de la criminalité (UMPC) ont mené dix perquisitions et ont procédé à la saisie de deux résidences et de deux comptes en banque. La valeur totale est estimée à un million de dollars. Situées à Laval et St-Côme, les propriétés appartenaient à Roberto Bastone.

Lutte au crime organisé

Entre 2007 et 2011, Montréal a été le théâtre de vagues de violence liées à l’instabilité qui régnait alors au sein du crime organisé traditionnel italien. L’objectif du projet Clemenza était de cibler et d’enrayer les cellules actives de souche italienne qui avaient pris la relève à la suite de l’opération Colisée.

L’enquête s’est déroulée en partenariat avec la Sûreté du Québec, le Service de police de la Ville de Montréal, le Service de police de la Ville de Laval, l’Agence des services frontaliers du Canada, l’Agence du revenu du Canada et le Centre d’analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada. –30–

36. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-06-11 ]

Conspiracy to Import and Traffic in Cocaine: 17 Arrests Sherbrooke, June 11, 2014 – This morning, members of the RCMP Estrie Detachment arrested 17 individuals in relation to a conspiracy to import and traffic in cocaine. The investigation, called Project Crypto, targeted a criminal organization in the Estrie area that coordinated the importation and trafficking of cocaine from California to Canada using a truck drivers’ network.

The investigation, initiated in January 2011, was conducted jointly with the Sherbrooke RCMP Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit (IPOC), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), as well as the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). Over 135 RCMP police officers from Québec and Ontario took part in this morning’s operation.

Alleged Leader of the Network and His Accomplices Arrested

The investigators collected substantial evidence in relation to the conspiracy to import and traffic in cocaine that led to charges against the targeted individuals, including the alleged leader Denis Simoneau, 60, of East Bolton.

It is alleged that Simoneau orchestrated the transactions between Quebec and Ontario truck drivers and suppliers in the United States. It is believed that the drugs were concealed in secret compartments inside refrigerated trucks before they left the United States. These trucks contained legitimate goods, mainly fresh fruit and vegetable shipments from California destined to the Canadian food industry. As for the cocaine, it was destined to various criminal organizations in Canada.

The investigators used various investigation techniques to thwart this conspiracy to import as well as a conspiracy to traffic 200 kg of cocaine previously imported to Canada.

The other individuals arrested are:

• Diane Poulin Perreault, 61, East Bolton, Qc • Daniel Decelles, 39, St-Jérome, Qc. • Juan Carlos Ellis, 52, Lac Brome, Qc. • Marc Lalonde, 44, Casselman, Ont.

They are scheduled to appear in court in Granby on June 12 in the morning to face different charges, including conspiracy, trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking and money laundering under the Controlled Drugs and Other Substances Act. The other individuals arrested and targeted as part of the investigation could face criminal charges.

Wanted

Raymond Demers, 56, from Sorel, Quebec and Wayne Rutherford, 62, from Colborne, Ont.

Seized Proceeds of Crime

Searches conducted by our investigators of the Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit (IPOC) resulted in the seizure of $36,000 in cash, machinery as well as other assets including several luxury vehicles belonging to Denis Simoneau and Diane Poulin-Perreault. Their property was also restrained. The estimated value of the assets seized and restrained is $1.5 million.

The investigation continues and other charges could be filed.

Fight against Organized Crime

The RCMP and CBSA are partners engaged in the protection of the Canadian borders and these two agencies always work together to protect the safety and security of the public.

The RCMP and its partners would like to remind the public that they intend to pursue their efforts to reduce drug trafficking in Canada and disrupt organized crime groups. Dismantling the infrastructure of these organizations disrupts their ability to use our communities for their criminal activities.

Appeal to the Public

If you have information on illicit activities by individuals or groups, please contact the RCMP at 514-939-8300/1 800 771-5401 or your local police.

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Complot pour importation et trafic de cocaïne : 17 arrestations Sherbrooke, le 11 juin 2014 – Les policiers de la GRC du Détachement de l’Estrie ont procédé ce matin à l’arrestation de 17 individus en lien avec un complot d’importation et de trafic de cocaïne. L’enquête, nommée Crypto, visait une organisation criminelle de la région de l’Estrie qui coordonnait l’importation et le trafic de cocaïne en provenance de la Californie vers le Canada par l’entremise d’un réseau de camionnage.

L’enquête, débutée en janvier 2011, s’est déroulée conjointement avec l’Unité mixte des produits de la criminalité (UMPC) de la GRC à Sherbrooke, l’Agence des services frontaliers du Canada (ASFC), ainsi que le Centre d’analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE). L’opération de ce matin a mobilisé plus de 135 policiers de la GRC au Québec et en Ontario.

Présumée tête dirigeante du réseau et ses complices arrêtés

Les enquêteurs ont pu amasser une importante preuve entourant le complot d’importation et de trafic de cocaïne permettant d’accuser les individus visés, dont la présumée tête dirigeante du réseau, Denis Simoneau, 60 ans, de Bolton Est.

Il est allégué que Simoneau orchestrait les transactions entre des camionneurs du Québec et de l’Ontario et des fournisseurs aux États-Unis. La drogue aurait été dissimulée aux États-Unis dans des caches secrètes à l’intérieur de remorques réfrigérées. Ces remorques contenaient de la marchandise légitime,

principalement des cargaisons de fruits et de légumes en provenance de la Californie, destinée au marché alimentaire canadien. Quant à la cocaïne, elle était destinée à diverses organisations criminelles canadiennes.

C’est grâce à plusieurs techniques d’enquête que les policiers ont pu déjouer ce complot d’importation, en plus de mettre au jour un complot de trafic de 200 kg de cocaïne déjà importée au Canada.

Les autres individus arrêtés sont :

• Diane Poulin-Perreault, 61 ans, de Bolton Est, Qc • Daniel Decelles, 39 ans, de St-Jérome, Qc. • Juan Carlos Ellis, 52 ans, de Lac Brome, Qc. • Marc Lalonde, 44 ans, de Casselman, Ont.

Tous comparaîtront au Palais de justice de Granby le 12 juin au matin où ils feront face à divers chefs d’accusation, dont : complot, trafic, possession en vue d’en faire le trafic et recyclage de produits de la criminalité en vertu de la Loi réglementant certaines drogues et autres substances. Les autres individus arrêtés et visés par l’enquête pourraient faire face à des accusations criminelles.

Recherchés

Raymond Demers, 56 ans, Sorel, Québec et Wayne Rutherford, 62 ans, de Colborne, Ont.

Produits de la criminalité saisis

Des perquisitions ont permis à nos enquêteurs de l’Unité mixte des produits de la criminalité (UMPC) de saisir 36 000 $ en argent comptant, de la machinerie ainsi que des biens, dont plusieurs véhicules de luxe appartenant à Denis Simoneau et à Diane Poulin-Perreault. Ils ont également procédé au blocage de leur propriété. La valeur estimée des biens saisis et bloqués s’élève à 1,5 million de dollars.

L'enquête se poursuit et d'autres accusations pourraient suivre.

Lutte au crime organisé

La GRC et l'ASFC sont des partenaires engagés dans la protection des frontières canadiennes et ces deux agences travaillent toujours conjointement pour assurer la sécurité de la population.

La GRC et ses partenaires poursuivent leur travail pour réduire le trafic de drogue au Canada et pour déstabiliser les activités illicites de groupes criminels organisés. Démanteler l'infrastructure de ces organisations perturbe leur capacité d'utiliser nos collectivités pour mener leurs activités criminelles.

Appel au public

Vous avez des renseignements sur les activités illicites d'individus ou de groupes d’individus? Communiquez avec la GRC au 514 939-8300/1 800 771-5401 ou avec votre service de police local.

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37. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-05-27 ]

Crack Down on an International Mass Marketing Fraud Network: 16 Arrests Montréal, May 27, 2014 – This morning, in the Montréal area, some 60 police officers arrested 16 individuals in relation to a mass marketing fraud network. A major round-up was carried out by the RCMP, with the assistance of the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) and Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM). An alleged boiler room was also dismantled.

Based on the investigation conducted jointly with the American authorities, several thousand people in the United States were victimized by this fraud.

Grandparent Scam

The investigation, led by the Centre of Operations Linked to Telemarketing Fraud (COLT), targeted a mass marketing fraud network. The leader of this network had been under investigation for several years for his illegal activities.

The network used the grandparent scam to defraud their victims and operated from a boiler room concealed in a legitimate business in Montréal.

The alleged fraudsters also sold personal information protection services. However, not only did the victims not receive such protection, the information was used to defraud them.

Canada/US Effort

COLT includes many Canadian and American partners: RCMP, SQ, SPVM, US Secret Service, US Postal Inspection Services and FTC. COLT also relies on intelligence sharing with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).

Mass marketing fraud is a serious and even violent crime for the victims. Knowing the different scams used by criminals is the best way to avoid being victimized!

Protect yourself from fraud

COLT and its partners focus on prevention and education to proactively fight mass marketing fraud and raise public awareness. If you want to report a fraud, or if you need more information, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. If you have information on illicit activity by individuals or groups involved in fraud scams, contact the RCMP at 1 800 771-5401 or your local police.

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Démantèlement d’un réseau international de marketing de masse frauduleux : 16 individus arrêtés Montréal, le 27 mai 2014 – Ce matin, dans la région de Montréal, quelque 60 policiers ont procédé à l’arrestation de 16 individus en lien avec un réseau de marketing de masse frauduleux. Un important ratissage a été effectué par la GRC avec l’assistance de la Sûreté du Québec (SQ) et du Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM). Un présumé centre d’appels a également été démantelé.

Selon l’enquête, effectuée conjointement avec les autorités américaines, cette fraude aurait fait plusieurs milliers de victimes aux États-Unis.

Arnaque des grands-parents

L’enquête, menée par le Centre opérationnel de lutte contre le télémarketing frauduleux (COLT), ciblait un réseau de marketing de masse frauduleux, dont la tête dirigeante faisait l’objet d’une enquête depuis plusieurs années pour ses activités illégales.

Le réseau utilisait l’arnaque des grands-parents pour frauder leurs victimes et opérait à partir d’un centre d’appels dissimulé dans un commerce légitime de Montréal.

De plus, les présumés fraudeurs vendaient des services qui permettaient de protéger les informations personnelles des individus. En réalité, les victimes ne recevaient aucune protection et les renseignements personnels étaient plutôt utilisés pour frauder ces dernières.

Effort canado-américain

Le COLT se compose de plusieurs partenaires canadiens et américains : la GRC, la SQ, le SPVM, le US Secret Service, le US Postal Inspection Services et le FTC. Le COLT compte également sur le partage de renseignements du Centre antifraude du Canada et du Centre d'analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE).

Le marketing de masse frauduleux est un crime grave, voire violent, pour les victimes. Connaître les différentes arnaques utilisées par les criminels est le meilleur moyen de ne pas tomber dans le piège!

Protégez-vous contre la fraude

Le COLT et ses partenaires misent sur la prévention et l’éducation afin d’agir de façon proactive dans la lutte contre le marketing de masse frauduleux et pour sensibiliser la population. Informez-vous ou signalez ce genre d’incidents auprès du Centre antifraude du Canada. Vous avez des renseignements sur les activités illicites d'individus ou de groupes impliqués dans un stratagème de fraude? Communiquez avec la GRC au 1 800 771-5401 ou avec votre service de police local.

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38. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-05-07 ]

Two arrested after 160 investors lose 21 million: RCMP Kitchener, Ontario – May 7, 2014 – The Kitchener RCMP Serious & Organized Crime team has arrested and charged two people after at least 160 investors were allegedly defrauded of over 21 million dollars. In December 2010, as a result of complaints from several investors, the Kitchener RCMP Serious & Organized Crime team launched an investigation. As a result of this investigation, the RCMP determined that from 2006 to 2010, at least 160 people were enticed to invest money into investments with the CICCONE GROUP OF COMPANIES. Investors were led to believe that they could receive 20 to 30 percent returns on their investment. They were told that their money would be invested in day- trading, development property, or resort properties. The investigation revealed that the majority of these funds were not invested by the accused and were instead re-directed to other non-interest paying schemes.

On May 7, investigators from the RCMP Serious & Organized Crime team arrested:

• Vincent Carl CICCONE (64) of Kitchener, and • Karen Rose THOMSON-CICCONE (60) of Kitchener

They have been charged with Fraud over $5000, contrary to the Criminal Code. Both are currently in custody and are scheduled to make their first court appearance today at Waterloo Region Courthouse in Kitchener, Ontario.

"The RCMP is committed to protecting Canadians from fraudulent investments that serve to undermine the integrity of Canada’s financial systems.” stated Insp. Todd Gilmore, officer in charge of Kitchener RCMP Detachment. "Maintaining Canada’s economic integrity is a priority for the RCMP and we will continue to work diligently to bring these criminals to justice.”

The RCMP would like to thank Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) and the Forensic Accounting Management Group (FAMG) for their valuable contribution to this investigation.

Anyone with information in regards to this or any other crime is asked to contact your local police, the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Please visit this link for further information on how the RCMP contributes to ensuring Canada’s Economic Integrity.

Media Availability (Kitchener Detachment, 17 Executive Place, Kitchener, Ontario): A media availability will be held today at Kitchener Detachment at 12 PM. Insp. Todd Gilmore, O I/C Kitchener Detachment, will be available to outline this investigation and answer questions from the media.

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La GRC arrête deux personnes ayant soutiré 21 millions de dollars à 160 investisseurs Kitchener, Ontario – Le 7 mai 2014 – L’équipe de Crime organisé et Crimes sérieux de la GRC de Kitchener a arrêté et accusé deux personnes présumées d’avoir soutiré plus de 21 millions de dollars à au moins 160 investisseurs.

En décembre 2010, à la suite de plaintes de plusieurs investisseurs, l’équipe de Crime organisé et Crimes sérieux de la GRC de Kitchener a entamé une enquête. Celle-ci a permis à la GRC de déterminer que, de 2006 à 2010, on a incité au moins 160 investisseurs à investir de l’argent avec CICCONE GROUP OF COMPANIES. Les fraudeurs ont fait croire aux investisseurs qu’ils obtiendraient un taux de rendement de 20 à 30 p. 100 sur leurs placements et que leur argent serait placé dans des activités de spéculation à très court terme, des projets immobiliers ou des centres de villégiature. Or, l’enquête a révélé que la majorité des fonds n’étaient pas investis par les accusés et étaient plutôt redirigés dans d’autres stratagèmes non productifs d'intérêt.

Le 7 mai, les enquêteurs de Crime organisé et Crimes sérieux de la GRC ont arrêté les personnes suivantes :

• Vincent Carl CICCONE (64 ans) de Kitchener, • Karen Rose THOMSON-CICCONE (60 ans) de Kitchener

Elles ont été accusées de fraude de plus de 5 000 $ en violation du Code criminel. Elles sont actuellement détenues et leur première comparution est prévue aujourd’hui au palais de justice de la région de Waterloo à Kitchener, en Ontario.

« La GRC s’engage à protéger les Canadiens contre les investissements frauduleux qui discréditent l’intégrité des systèmes financiers canadiens », a déclaré l’inspecteur Todd Gilmore, officier responsable du Détachement de Kitchener de la GRC. « Conserver l’intégrité économique du Canada est une priorité pour la GRC et nous continuerons de travailler sans relâche pour traduire ces criminels en justice. »

La GRC tient à remercier le Centre d’analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE) et le Groupe de la gestion juricomptable pour leur précieuse contribution à cette enquête.

Toute personne détenant des renseignements sur la présente activité criminelle ou autres est priée de communiquer avec le service de police local ou avec la GRC de l'Ontario en composant le 1-800-387-0020 ou de façon anonyme avec Échec au crime au 1-800-222-8477.

Cliquez sur le lien suivant pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements sur la façon dont la GRC contribue à assurer l’intégrité économique du Canada.

Point de presse (Détachement de Kitchener 17 place Executive, Kitchener, Ontario):

Un point de presse aura lieu aujourd’hui à midi au Détachement de Kitchener. L’inspecteur Todd Gilmore, officier responsable du Détachement de Kitchener, traitera de l’enquête et répondra aux questions des médias.

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39. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-05-02 ]

9 Arrested after RCMP disrupt Illegal Tobacco Distribution Network LONDON, ON, May 2, 2014 – The London Detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have charged 9 persons after investigating various groups that were allegedly involved in the production and distribution of illegal tobacco.

The investigations began after the RCMP received information that several Southwestern Ontario tobacco growers were involved in producing more tobacco then they were legally allowed and selling the additional tobacco through the 'black market'.

As the investigations unfolded, it was determined that various growers and brokers were involved in the illegal sale of large amounts of raw leaf tobacco as well as finished tobacco products. The RCMP employed a number of police techniques during these investigations and executed numerous search warrants to gather evidence.

Over the past week, members from the RCMP conducted numerous operations throughout Southwestern Ontario which included the execution of 6 search warrants and the arrest of 9 persons. As a result of these operations, and previous related seizures, we have seized:

6 trucks, 1 tractor, 1 car, 1 boat, 1 snowmobile and 1 motorcycle

• Over 60 kgs of marihuana • 950 marihuana plants • 2 bricks of hashish • Small amounts of cocaine, Ketamine and MDMA • $85,000 cash • Large amounts of raw leaf tobacco worth over $300,000 • 45 shotguns

As a result of these investigations, 9 people have been charged with various offences relating to the sale and distribution of illegal tobacco under the Criminal Code, the Excise Act (2001) and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The people arrested will be making court appearances over the next few weeks and further arrests and charges are anticipated.

"Contraband tobacco introduces criminal activity directly into our communities and supports the growth of an underground economy that poses a serious threat to public safety," stated Superintendent Jamie Jagoe, Ontario RCMP – Southwest District Commander. He added, "Profits from the sale of contraband tobacco are often used to fund other illegal activities, such as the movement of drugs, weapons and money laundering operations."

Tobacco production and distribution is a highly regulated industry. Growers are legislated to abide by rules governing the amount of tobacco they can produce and distribute. For further information on tobacco grower regulations please visit: http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/tax/tt/rawleaf.html

The RCMP would like to thank FINTRAC (Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada), RCMP in Quebec ("C" Division), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Peel Regional Police Service, Brantford Police Service, Hamilton/Niagara RCMP Detachment, the Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) and the Ontario Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers' Marketing Board for their invaluable assistance during these investigations.

Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact their local police, the RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

For photos related to these investigations please visit the Ontario RCMP Newsroom.

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La GRC démantèle un réseau de distribution de tabac de contrebande et arrête neuf personnes LONDON, ON, le 2 mai 2014 – Le Détachement de London de la Gendarmerie royale du Canada (GRC) a porté des accusations contre neuf personnes après avoir mené plusieurs enquêtes sur divers groupes apparemment impliqués dans la production et la distribution de produits du tabac de contrebande.

La GRC a entrepris ces enquêtes après avoir reçu des renseignements selon lesquels plusieurs cultivateurs de tabac du sud-ouest de l'Ontario produisaient plus de tabac qu'ils n'étaient légalement autorisés à produire et écoulaient ces quantités supplémentaires sur le « marché noir ».

Les différentes enquêtes ont permis d'établir l'implication de divers cultivateurs et courtiers dans la vente illicite d'importantes quantités de feuilles de tabac et de produits finis. La GRC a eu recours à un certain nombre de techniques policières au cours de ces enquêtes et exécuté de nombreux mandats de perquisition dans le but de recueillir des preuves.

Au cours de la dernière semaine, des membres de la GRC ont effectué plusieurs opérations dans le sud-ouest de l'Ontario; ils ont notamment exécuté six mandats de perquisition et procédé à l'arrestation de neuf personnes. Par suite de ces opérations et des saisies réalisées précédemment en lien avec les enquêtes, la GRC a saisi :

• Six camions, un tracteur, une voiture, un bateau, une motoneige et une motocyclette. • Plus de 60 kg de marihuana. • 950 plants de marihuana. • Deux blocs de haschich. • Petites quantités de cocaïne, de kétamine et de MDMA. • Somme de 85 000 $ en espèces.

• Importantes quantités de feuilles de tabac, valant plus de 300 000 $. • 45 fusils de chasse.

Par suite de ces enquêtes, des accusations ont été portées contre neuf personnes pour diverses infractions liées à la vente et à la distribution de produits du tabac de contrebande, en vertu du Code criminel, de la Loi de 2001 sur l'accise et de la Loi réglementant certaines drogues et autres substances. Les personnes arrêtées comparaîtront en cour dans les prochaines semaines, et on s'attend à ce qu'il y ait d'autres arrestations et accusations.

« Le tabac de contrebande permet aux activités criminelles de s'implanter directement dans nos collectivités et favorise la croissance d'une économie clandestine qui représente une grave menace pour la sécurité publique », a déclaré le surintendant Jamie Jagoe, commandant du district du sud-ouest de l'Ontario de la GRC. M. Jagoe a ajouté : « Les profits générés par la vente de tabac de contrebande servent souvent à financer d'autres activités illicites, comme le trafic de stupéfiants et d'armes ainsi que le blanchiment d'argent ».

La production et la distribution de produits du tabac sont un secteur d'activité très réglementé. Des lois obligent les cultivateurs à se conformer à divers règlements régissant les quantités de tabac qu'ils peuvent produire et distribuer. Pour en savoir plus sur la réglementation à laquelle les cultivateurs de tabac sont assujettis, veuillez cliquer sur le lien suivant : http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/fr/tax/tt/rawleaf.html.

La GRC tient à remercier le CANAFE (Centre d'analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada), la GRC au Québec (Division « C »), la Police provinciale de l'Ontario, le service de police régional de Peel, le service de police de Brantford, le Détachement régional de Hamilton-Niagara de la GRC, le Groupe de travail régional de Cornwall (GTRC) et l'Office de commercialisation des producteurs du tabac jaune de l'Ontario pour leur aide précieuse au cours de ces enquêtes.

Quiconque détient des renseignements relatifs à des activités criminelles est prié de communiquer avec le service de police de sa localité, avec la GRC, au 1-800-387-0020, ou avec Échec au crime, au 1-800-222-TIPS.

Pour voir des photos liées à ces enquêtes, veuillez consulter la Salle des nouvelles de la GRC en Ontario.

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40. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-05-01 ]

Five Victims Defrauded for Over Four Million Dollars Montréal, May 1, 2014 – A former financial planner and an ex-lawyer have been charged with fraud for having cheated five victims out of over four million dollars. According to the investigation conducted by the Integrated Market Enforcement Team (IMET), the suspects allegedly approached the victims soliciting investments in real estate development projects or online financial counselling services.

In fact, it is alleged that the accused converted the victims’ investments to their own use, and that they transferred part of the investors’ money to companies they owned.

Daniel L’Heureux, 56, of Montréal, faces eight counts of indictment, while five counts have been laid against Claude Lemay, 65, of Montréal. Barbara Gagnon-Bernier, 41, of Montréal was also a target in this investigation and has been charged with one count of indictment. All three co-accused will appear in court this morning in Montréal to face fraud charges.

Protect yourself against fraud

IMET is a special squad composed of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Sûreté du Québec, Autorité des marchés financiers and Public Prosecution Service of Canada. The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) also contributed to the investigation. IMET, in collaboration with various agencies, is committed to preventing capital markets fraud offences that could threaten investor confidence or economic stability in Canada.

If you have information on illicit activity by individuals or groups involved in fraudulent activity, contact the RCMP at 1 800 771-5401 or your local police department.

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Cinq victimes fraudées pour plus de quatre millions de dollars Montréal, le 1er mai 2014 – Un ancien planificateur financier et un ex-avocat sont accusés de fraude pour avoir floué cinq victimes pour plus de quatre millions de dollars. Selon l’enquête de l’Équipe intégrée de la police des marchés financiers (EIPMF), les suspects auraient sollicité les victimes afin que celles-ci investissent dans des projets, notamment de développement immobilier ou encore de site Internet offrant des conseils financiers.

Dans les faits, les accusés se seraient approprié les investissements des victimes à des fins personnelles. Une partie des fonds des investisseurs aurait également été transférée vers d’autres sociétés leur appartenant.

Daniel L’Heureux, 56 ans, de Montréal, fait face à huit chefs d’accusation tandis que cinq ont été déposés contre Claude Lemay, 65 ans, de Montréal. Barbara Gagnon-Bernier, 41 ans, de Montréal, a également

été ciblée dans le cadre de cette enquête et fait l’objet d’un chef d’accusation. Les trois co-accusés comparaîtront tous ce matin au palais de justice de Montréal pour répondre à des accusations de fraude.


L’EIPMF est une équipe d’enquête spécialisée composée de la Gendarmerie royale du Canada, de la Sûreté du Québec, de l’Autorité des marchés financiers et des Services des poursuites pénales du Canada. Dans le cadre du présent dossier, le Centre d’analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE) a aussi contribué à l’enquête. L’EIPMF, en collaboration avec divers organismes, travaille à prévenir les fraudes sur les marchés financiers qui pourraient menacer la confiance des investisseurs et la stabilité économique du Canada.

Vous avez des renseignements sur les activités illicites d'individus ou de groupes impliqués dans des activités frauduleuses? Communiquez avec la GRC au 1 800 771-5401 ou avec votre service de police local.

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41. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-04-29 ]

RCMP Conducts Search Warrants as part of a Terrorist Financing Investigation Ottawa, April 29, 2014 – Yesterday, the RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams (INSETs) in Ontario and Quebec executed search warrants as part of a terrorist financing investigation on the International Relief Fund for Afflicted and Needy-Canada (IRFAN-Canada), which is linked to the terrorist entity Hamas.

The operation named Project Sapphire led INSETs to execute search warrants in two locations: IRFAN’s head office in Mississauga, Ontario, and a residence in Montreal, Quebec. An extensive amount of documentary evidence along with stored media, money and other records were seized.

The investigation continues. Citizens who have information related to the activities of IRFAN-Canada are urged to contact the RCMP’s National Security Network at 1-800-420-5805.

The RCMP reminds Canadians that it is a criminal offence for Canadians at home and abroad to have any dealings with the assets or finances of a listed terrorist entity under the Criminal Code. Furthermore, anyone who has information regarding the existence of any property owned or controlled, or related transaction by a listed terrorist entity, has an obligation to disclose it.

“We are determined to stop Canadian funds from getting in the hands of terrorist groups,” said Assistant Commissioner James Malizia, the Officer in Charge of Federal Policing Operations. “We continue to work diligently with our partners to investigate and disrupt organizations from misusing charitable donations to fund terrorist activity.”

Since 2002, the Government of Canada has been listing terrorist entities as a public means of identifying groups associated with terrorism. Some listed terrorist entities are using Canada to fundraise to support their activities. Investigations indicate that money is flowing from Canada to support terrorist organizations and in some cases, insurgent activities in conflict areas.

The RCMP works closely with key partner agencies in INSETs to share information and intelligence on these types of investigations. The RCMP would like to thank the partners who contributed to this investigation, especially the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), as well as partners of the INSET teams in Ontario and Quebec.

The RCMP takes terrorism financing very seriously, and continues to collaborate with its partners and communities to create a strong and integrated law enforcement approach to root out this crime and keep Canadians safe.

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La GRC exécute des mandats de perquisition dans le cadre d’une enquête sur le financement d’activités terroristes Ottawa, le 29 avril 2014 – Hier, les Équipes intégrées de la sécurité nationale (EISN) de la GRC de l’Ontario et du Québec ont exécuté des mandats de perquisition dans le cadre d’une enquête sur le financement d’activités terroristes visant l’International Relief Fund for Afflicted and Needy- Canada (IRFAN-Canada), qui est lié au Hamas, une entité terroriste.

L’opération nommée Projet Sapphire a conduit les EISN à exécuter des mandats de perquisition à deux endroits : la direction générale d’IRFAN à Mississauga, Ontario, et une résidence à Montréal, Québec. Un nombre important de preuves documentaires, ainsi que des dispositifs de stockage, de l’argent et d’autres documents ont été saisis.

L’enquête poursuit son cours. Les citoyens qui ont de l’information sur les activités d’IRFAN-Canada sont priés de communiquer immédiatement avec le réseau infosécurité national de la GRC au 1-800-420-5805.

La GRC rappelle aux Canadiens au pays ou à l’étranger qu’il s’agit d’une infraction criminelle de transiger avec une entité terroriste inscrite en vertu du Code criminel, que ce soit au niveau de ses actifs ou de ses finances. De plus, toute personne ayant de l’information sur l’existence de biens en la possession ou sous le contrôle d’une entité terroriste inscrite, ou de toute transaction relative, a l’obligation de la divulguer.

« Nous sommes résolus à empêcher les groupes terroristes de mettre la main sur des fonds canadiens, » a dit le commissaire adjoint James Malizia, l’officier responsable des Opérations de la Police fédérale. « Nous continuons à travailler diligemment avec nos partenaires afin d’enquêter sur ce type de crime et de perturber les activités d’organismes qui pourraient détourner des dons de bienfaisance pour financer des activités terroristes. »

Depuis 2002, le gouvernement du Canada a procédé à l’inscription d’entités terroristes comme moyen public d’identifier les groupes associés au terrorisme. Certaines entités terroristes inscrites utilisent le Canada pour amasser des fonds pour appuyer leurs activités. Des enquêtes indiquent que l’argent provenant du Canada sert à soutenir des organisations terroristes et dans certains cas, les activités d’insurgés dans des zones de conflit.

La GRC travaille étroitement avec les organismes partenaires principaux des EISN afin de partager de l’information et du renseignement sur ces types d’enquêtes. La GRC tient à remercier tous les partenaires qui ont contribué à cette enquête, plus particulièrement le Centre d'analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE), ainsi que les partenaires au sein des EISN de l’Ontario et du Québec.

La GRC prend le financement du terrorisme très au sérieux, et elle continue de collaborer avec ses partenaires et ses collectivités pour bâtir une approche d’application de la loi solide et intégrée afin d'enrayer ce crime et de garder les Canadiens en sécurité.

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42. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-04-24 ]

Financial Markets: Two Persons Charged with Fraud Montréal, April 24, 2014 – Raphaël Huppé, 36, of Laval, and Manon Chiasson, 38, of Mirabel, allegedly carried out a scam that defrauded hundreds of investors. The investigation revealed that investors injected more than $4 million in Effective Control Transport Inc. (ECT), previously known as Media City Corp, a company listed on the stock market under EFFC, previously MCCY. This financial market fraud was uncovered by the Integrated Market Enforcement Team (IMET).

The pair is scheduled to appear in court in Montréal this morning to face charges of fraud, affecting public market and false prospectus. Manon Chiasson faces three counts of indictment, while Raphaël Huppé faces 15 counts.

False information and misappropriation of funds

The co-accused allegedly provided false information concerning the activities of their company by issuing press releases containing misleading information such as erroneous financial results and unrealized sales. This illegal act is believed to have influenced public market and persuaded investors to purchase shares in the company.

The suspects are also believed to have transferred a large portion of the investors’ funds into other companies belonging to them or for their personal benefit.

Protect yourself against fraud

IMET is a special squad composed of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Sûreté du Québec, Autorité des marchés financiers and Public Prosecution Service of Canada. The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) also contributed to the investigation. It is committed to preventing capital markets fraud offences that could threaten investor confidence or economic stability in Canada.

If you have information on illicit activity by individuals or groups involved in fraudulent activity, contact the RCMP at 1 800 771-5401 or your local police.

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Marchés financiers : deux personnes accusées de fraude Montréal, le 24 avril 2014 – Raphaël Huppé, 36 ans, de Laval, et Manon Chiasson, 38 ans, de Mirabel, auraient mis en place un stratagème ayant permis de flouer plusieurs centaines d’investisseurs. L’enquête démontre que les investisseurs auraient injecté plus de 4 millions dans Effective Control Transport Inc. (ECT), anciennement connu sous le nom de Media City Corp; compagnie inscrite sur le marché public sous la cote EFFC, anciennement MCCY. Cette fraude en lien avec les marchés financiers a été mise au jour par l’Équipe intégrée de la police des marchés financiers (EIPMF).

Tous deux comparaissent ce matin au Palais de justice de Montréal pour répondre à des accusations de fraude, d’influence sur le marché public et de faux prospectus. Manon Chiasson fait face à trois chefs d’accusation, tandis que 15 chefs d’accusation sont portés contre Raphaël Huppé.

Fausses informations et détournements de fonds

Les co-accusés auraient transmis de fausses informations concernant les activités de leur compagnie en émettant des communiqués de presse présentant notamment des résultats financiers erronés ainsi que des ventes non-réalisées. Cet acte illégal aurait influencé le marché public et incité des investisseurs à acheter des actions de cette compagnie.

Les suspects auraient transféré une grande partie des fonds des investisseurs à d’autres sociétés leur appartenant ou à des fins personnelles.


L’EIPMF est une équipe d’enquête spécialisée composée de la Gendarmerie royale du Canada, de la Sûreté du Québec, de l’Autorité des marchés financiers et des Services des poursuites pénales du Canada. Dans le cadre du présent dossier, le Centre d’analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE) a aussi contribué à l’enquête. L’EIPMF, en collaboration avec divers organismes, travaille à prévenir les fraudes sur les marchés financiers qui pourraient menacer la confiance des investisseurs et la stabilité économique du Canada.

Vous avez des renseignements sur les activités illicites d'individus ou de groupes impliqués dans des activités frauduleuses? Communiquez avec la GRC au 1 800 771-5401 ou avec votre service de police local.

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43. Federal court denies judicial review for alleged Macau crime kingpin [ 2014-04-03 ]

VANCOUVER – The accused kingpin of a Macau triad will not get a new hearing of his immigration case, after a Federal Court judge found there is ample evidence of his ties to criminal activity.

Lai Tong Sang was ordered deported by an Immigration and Refugee Board adjudicator last August, on the grounds that he was criminally inadmissible to Canada.

Lai, 59, quickly filed the application for a judicial review by the Federal Court.

Following a hearing last month, Justice Roger T. Hughes found there was ``a wealth of evidence'' linking Lai to the triad and its illegal activities. He dismissed the application.

``The (board) member had abundant evidence in the record, including a book and an article directly implicating the applicant as a prominent triad member,'' Hughes wrote in his March 17 decision.

There was evidence that such triads were involved in illegal activities, Hughes said, and evidence directly named Lai as a principal member – an allegation he did not counter with any material evidence.

``With such a wealth of evidence against the applicant and virtually nothing to support his position, the result was not only predictable, but inevitable,'' Hughes wrote in his decision.

``I see no point in quashing the decision and sending it back.''

The Immigration and Refugee Board heard Lai was the ``dragon head'' of the Shui Fung, or Water Room, gang. He arrived in Canada on a permanent resident visa in October 1996, in the midst of a bloody turf war over control of Macau's criminal underworld.

Lai had his wife and three children in tow and they, too, faced an admissibility hearing last year. The board adjudicator found they are admissible and may remain in Canada.

The arrival of Macau's notorious gang boss in Canada made headlines and prompted a federal review of the immigration office that approved his application.

He survived an assassination attempt at his Vancouver home in July 1997 but immigration officials waited over a decade for access to police wiretap information that allowed them to move to have Lai deported. It wasn't until July 2011 that immigration officials had the necessary information on Lai's criminal ties.

In the meantime, documents filed with the Federal Court in an earlier application alleged Lai laundered millions of dollars in Canada.

Citizenship and Immigration produced a report from FINTRAC – Canada's financial intelligence agency – saying that from Oct. 15, 2002 to Nov. 8, 2006, investigators tracked 49 separate electronic funds transfers amounting to more than $2 million.

Hughes said the immigration board member reached ``a reasonable conclusion'' that Lai was a member of the triad.

``A review of the record ... shows abundant evidence that triads in Macau were engaged in a number of activities that any civilized country would find to be illegal and indictable; including cold-blooded murder in public, extortion, assault, and more,'' Hughes wrote.

Whether Lai must actually be deported is unclear. He was not in Canada for his hearing last summer but, rather, called in from Macau.

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44. Drug charges in Melfort Provincial Court [ 2014-04-01 ]

Michael Oleksyn

Three people charged after search warrants were served on March 31 in Mistatim, Tisdale and Arborfield appeared in Melfort Provincial Court on Tuesday, April 1. They were 49-year-old Evan Ashdown of Mistatim, 48-year-old Pamela Ashdown also of Mistatim and 33-year-old Adam Arthur of Caragana.

During their appearance all three had a bail hearing set for Friday, April 4 in Melfort Provincial Court.

Evan Ashdown faced seven counts including; trafficking Marijuana in an amount exceeding three kilograms, trafficking Cocaine, possession of Marijuana in an amount exceeding three kilograms for the purpose of trafficking, possession of Cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of Marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds or property obtained by crime of a value exceeding $5,000 and money laundering.

Pamela Ashdown was charged with four counts including; possession of Cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds or property obtained by crime of a value exceeding $5,000 and money laundering.

Arthur was charged with two counts of trafficking Marijuana, two counts of possession of Marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and two counts of Possession of Proceeds or Property obtained by crime of a value not exceeding $5,000.

On March 31 five search warrants were served as the result of a nine-month investigation conducted by the Prince Albert team of Saskatchewan Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) and the Integrated Organized Crime North (Proceeds of Crime) Unit (IOC-N).

This investigation into illicit drug trafficking, money laundering and possession of property obtained by crime was conducted in the communities of Mistatim, Tisdale and Arborfield.

Search warrants were served at two residences and a business in Mistatim, one business in Tisdale and one business in Arborfield.

As a result of the investigation investigators have seized or restrained 32 pounds of marijuana, two ounces of cocaine, three commercial properties, four residential properties, five vehicles and more than $230,300 of Canadian currency.

In addition to the trio who appeared in Melfort Provincial Court an additional four people were arrested and released after appearing before a Justice of the Peace; 25-year-old Sheena Ashdown, 29-year-old Christopher Simmons of Mistatim, 20-year-old Amanda Wiens and 52-year-old Richard Renaud all of Mistatim.

Their next court date will be set for Provincial Court in Hudson Bay on April 22, 2014.

Sheena Ashdown is charged with possession of Marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds or property obtained by crime of a value exceeding $5,000. Simmons was charged with possession of Marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds or property obtained by crime of a value exceeding $5,000. Weins was charged with possession of the proceeds of property obtained by crime of a value not exceeding $5,000 and Renaud was charged with possession of Marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), Government of Canada Seized Property Management Directorate (SPMD), and Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) provided assistance to this investigation.

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45. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-03-26 ]

Massive investment fraud leads to six arrests by the RCMP Toronto, Ontario – March 26, 2014 – The RCMP’s Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Financial Crime team has arrested and charged six people after thousands of investors and the Government of Canada lost millions of dollars in a ‘fraudulent investment scheme’.

The investigation began in April 2012 when the RCMP received information that people were involved in a possible ‘tax avoidance scheme’. The RCMP Financial Crime members commenced an investigation which included interviewing witnesses and suspects, the execution of search warrants and the analysis of thousands of pages of documentation.

As a result of their investigation, the RCMP determined that since 2004, at least six individuals enticed thousands of investors to participate in an alleged illegal tax shelter. Investors were led to believe that they could legitimately purchase a company’s business losses that could then be used to lower their taxable incomes. It is alleged that many of these losses were fraudulent because the companies involved with the accused did not have agreements for their losses to be transferred over to third parties. In other instances, the businesses that provided a large portion of the losses were controlled by the accused. It is also alleged that these losses were fabricated. The accused received a percentage of the allegedly fictitious losses. In many instances, these business losses resulted in substantial illegitimate income tax refund cheques being issued to these claimants off the backs of taxpayers.

On March 26, investigators from the RCMP Financial Crime team arrested six individuals. They are scheduled to make their first court appearance today at Old City Hall Courthouse in Toronto, Ontario.

Since 2004, the risk of financial loss by the Government of Canada because of this specific fraud exceeds 200 million dollars. The companies used by the accused to run this scheme included: Integrated Business Concepts (IBC), Synergy Group 2000, Cason Global Wealth Association (CGWA) and IBCA 2009.

During the course of the investigation, the RCMP executed search warrants at businesses located at 202-235 Yorkland Blvd in Toronto and 795 Spillsbury Drive in Peterborough. The following six individuals have been charged with two (2) counts of Fraud over $5000 and Commission of an Offence for a Criminal Organization, contrary to the Criminal Code:

• Vincent “Vince” Villanti (age 66) of Whitby • Shane Davidson Smith (age 46) of Peterborough • David Prentice (age 52) of Oakville • Ravendra “Ravi”Chaudhary (age 65) of North York • Andrew Lloyd (age 42) of Pickering • Joe Loschiavo (age 49 ) of Etobicoke

This is an ongoing investigation and further arrests and charges are possible.

"The RCMP is committed to protecting Canadians from fraudulent investments that serve to undermine the integrity of Canada’s financial systems.” stated Insp. Henry Tso of the RCMP's Financial Crime Section. "Maintaining Canada’s economic integrity is a priority for the RCMP and we will continue to work diligently to bring these criminals to justice.”

The RCMP would like to thank the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) and the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) for their valuable contribution to this investigation.

If you or someone you know has fallen victim to this ‘illegal tax shelter’, please contact the RCMP GTA Central Intake unit at 1-855-253-7267.

Please visit this link for further information on how the RCMP contributes to ensuring Canada’s Economic Integrity. For further information on tax schemes please visit this CRA Tax Alert website.

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Une vaste fraude d’investissement donne lieu à six arrestations par la GRC Toronto, Ontario – Le 26 mars 2014 – L’équipe de la criminalité financière de la région du Grand Toronto (RGT) de la Gendarmerie royale du Canada (GRC) a arrêté et accusé six personnes après que des milliers d’investisseurs et le gouvernement du Canada ont perdu des millions de dollars dans le cadre de schémas d’investissement frauduleux.

L’enquête a commencé en avril 2012, quand la GRC a reçu des renseignements au sujet de personnes impliquées dans un possible schéma d’investissement frauduleux. Les membres de l’équipe de la criminalité financière de la GRC ont ouvert une enquête au cours de laquelle des témoins et des suspects ont été interrogés, des mandats de perquisition ont été exécutés et des milliers de pages de documentation ont été analysées.

À la suite de son enquête, la GRC a déterminé que depuis 2004, au moins six individus ont incité des milliers d’investisseurs à participer à un abri fiscal illégal présumé. Les fraudeurs ont fait croire aux investisseurs qu’ils pouvaient légitimement acheter les pertes commerciales d’une entreprise, lesquelles pourraient ensuite être utilisées pour réduire leurs revenus imposables. On présume qu'une grande partie de ces pertes étaient frauduleuses, car les entreprises collaborant avec les accusés ne disposaient pas des accords nécessaires pour transférer leurs pertes à des tierces parties. Dans d’autres cas, les entreprises fournissant une grande partie des pertes étaient contrôlées par les accusés. On présume également que ces pertes étaient inventées. Les accusés ont reçu un pourcentage des pertes fictives présumées. Dans d’autres cas encore, ces pertes commerciales donnaient lieu à d’importants chèques de remboursement d’impôt illégitimes émis à ces demandeurs, à la charge des contribuables.

Le 26 mars, des enquêteurs de l’équipe de criminalité financière de la GRC ont arrêté six personnes. Leur première comparution est prévue aujourd’hui au palais de justice de l’Ancien hôtel de ville de Toronto, en Ontario.

Depuis 2004, le risque de perte financière subi par le gouvernement du Canada en raison de cette fraude dépasse 200 millions de dollars. Les entreprises utilisées par les accusés pour commettre cette fraude comprenaient les suivantes : Integrated Business Concepts (IBC), Synergy Group 2000, Cason Global Wealth Association (CGWA) et IBCA 2009.

Durant l’enquête, la GRC a exécuté des mandats de perquisition au 202-235 boulevard Yorkland, à Toronto, et au 795, Spillsbury Drive, à Peterborough. Les six personnes suivantes ont été accusées de deux (2) chefs de fraude de plus de 5 000 $ et d’infraction au profit d’une organisation criminelle, en violation du Code criminel.

• Vincent « Vince » Villanti (66 ans) de Whitby • Shane Davidson Smith (46 ans) de Peterborough • David Prentice (52 ans) d’Oakville • Ravendra « Ravi » Chaudhary (65 ans) de North York • Andrew Lloyd (42 ans) de Pickering • Joe Loschiavo (49 ans) d’Etobicoke

L’enquête se poursuit et pourrait mener à d’autres arrestations et accusations.

« La GRC s’engage à protéger les Canadiens contre les investissements frauduleux qui discréditent l’intégrité des systèmes financiers canadiens », a déclaré l’inspecteur Henry Tso de la Section de la criminalité financière de la GRC. « Conserver l’intégrité économique du Canada est une priorité pour la GRC et nous continuerons de travailler sans relâche pour traduire ces criminels en justice. »

La GRC tient à remercier l’Agence du revenu du Canada (ARC), le Centre d’analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE) et la Commission des valeurs mobilières de l’Ontario (CVMO) pour leur précieuse contribution à cette enquête.

Si vous ou quelqu’un que vous connaissez avez été victime de cet abri fiscal illégal, veuillez communiquer avec l’Unité centrale des plaintes de la RGT de la GRC au 1-855-253-7267.

Cliquez sur ce lien obtenir de plus amples renseignements sur la façon dont la GRC contribue à assurer l’intégrité économique du Canada. Pour en savoir plus sur les stratagèmes fiscaux, veuillez consulter le site Web de l’ARC sur l’alerte fiscale.

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46. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-03-20 ]

Crack Down on a Mass Telemarketing Fraud Network: 23 Arrests Montréal, March 20, 2014 – This morning, in the Montréal area, some 80 police officers arrested 23 individuals in relation to a mass telemarketing fraud network. A major round-up was conducted by the RCMP, with the assistance of the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) and Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM). Two alleged boiler rooms were also dismantled.

Based on the investigation conducted jointly with the American authorities, several thousands of victims in the United States were defrauded at least $16M as a result of this scam.

Victims were sold a free prescription drug discount card

The investigation, led by the Centre of Operations Linked to Telemarketing Fraud (COLT), was initiated in June 2013 after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received complaints from many victims about a company that offered medical discounts as well as protection against identity theft.

The targeted individuals operated both from the United States and Canada. They allegedly defrauded American seniors by offering them a card that would provide discounts on prescription drugs and medical services. In fact, the card, sold approximately $300 to the victims, is completely free for American citizens.

The alleged fraudsters also sold services that would provide protection for personal information. In fact, the victims received no protection at all while money was debited from their bank accounts.

Canada/US Effort

COLT includes many Canadian and American partners: RCMP, SQ, SPVM, Competition Bureau of Canada, Canada Border Services Agency, Post Canada, US Homeland Security, US Postal Inspection Services, US Secret Service, FTC and Federal Bureau of Investigation. COLT also relies on intelligence sharing with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).

Mass marketing fraud is a serious and even violent crime for the victims. Knowing the different scams used by criminals is the best way to avoid being victimized!

Protect yourself from fraud

COLT and its partners focus on prevention and education to proactively fight mass marketing fraud and raise public awareness. If you want to report a fraud, or if you need more information, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. If you have information on illicit activity by individuals or groups involved in fraud scams, contact the RCMP at 1 800 771-5401 or your local police.

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Démantèlement d'un réseau de marketing de masse frauduleux : 23 individus arrêtés

Montréal, le 20 mars 2014 – Ce matin, dans la région de Montréal, quelque 80 policiers ont procédé à l’arrestation de 23 individus en lien avec un réseau de marketing de masse frauduleux. Un important ratissage a été effectué par la GRC avec l’assistance de la Sûreté du Québec (SQ) et du Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM). Deux présumés centres d’appels ont également été démantelés.

Selon l’enquête, effectuée conjointement avec les autorités américaines, cette fraude aurait soutiré au moins 16 millions de dollars à plusieurs milliers de victimes aux États-Unis.

Un produit gratuit vendu aux victimes

L’enquête, menée par le Centre opérationnel de lutte contre le télémarketing frauduleux (COLT), a été entamée en juin 2013 à la suite de plusieurs plaintes de victimes au Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Celles-ci visaient une entreprise offrant divers rabais dans le domaine de la santé ainsi que des protections contre le vol d’identité.

Le groupe d’individus ciblé opérait autant à partir des États-Unis que du Canada. Ces derniers auraient fraudé des personnes âgées américaines en leur offrant d’acheter une carte qui leur permettait d’obtenir des ordonnances et des services médicaux à rabais. Pourtant, la carte vendue aux victimes au coût d’environ 300 $ est un produit entièrement gratuit pour les citoyens américains.

De plus, les présumés fraudeurs vendaient des services qui permettaient de protéger les informations personnelles des individus. En réalité, les victimes ne recevaient aucune protection et les montants étaient parfois même débités de leurs comptes bancaires.

Effort canado-américain

Le COLT se compose de plusieurs partenaires canadiens et américains : la GRC, la SQ, le SPVM, le Bureau de la concurrence du Canada, l’Agence des services frontaliers du Canada, Postes Canada, l’US Homeland Security, le US Secret Service, le US Postal Inspection Services, le FTC et le FBI. Le COLT compte également sur le partage de renseignements du Centre antifraude du Canada et du Centre d'analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE).

Le marketing de masse frauduleux est un crime grave, voire violent, pour les victimes. Connaître les différentes arnaques utilisées par les criminels est le meilleur moyen de ne pas tomber dans le piège!


Le COLT et ses partenaires misent sur la prévention et l’éducation afin d’agir de façon proactive dans la lutte contre le marketing de masse frauduleux et pour sensibiliser la population. Informez-vous ou portez plainte auprès du Centre antifraude du Canada. Vous avez des renseignements sur les activités illicites d'individus ou de groupes impliqués dans un stratagème de fraude? Communiquez avec la GRC au 1 800 771-5401 ou avec votre service de police local. –30–

47. RCMP / GRC [ 2014-02-27 ]

Charges laid in bankruptcy fraud investigation Toronto, Ontario – February 27, 2014 – The RCMP GTA Financial Crime Unit – Toronto North office in collaboration with the Ontario Region Special Investigations Unit of the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB), have charged Sanjay Suryakant PATEL, age 45, of Brampton, Ontario with offences under the Criminal Code (CC) and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) namely:

• s. 380 CC – Fraud Over $5000 (2 counts) • s. 380 CC – Fraud Under $5000 • s. 362(1)(b) CC – Obtain credit by fraud (2 counts) • s. 392(a)(i) CC – Disposal of Property to Defraud Creditors • s. 198(1)(a) BIA – Fraudulent Disposition of Property • s. 198(1)(b) BIA – Refuse or Neglect to Answer Truthfully at Examination (2 counts) • s.198(1)(c) BIA – Make False Entry or Material Omission in a Statement (3 counts) • s. 198(2) BIA – Failure in Duties of a Bankrupt

The investigation began in March, 2013 after the RCMP received information of possible wrongdoing by Mr. Patel. The investigation revealed that in the fall of 2011, Mr. Patel was granted credit using fictitious information on his credit applications. This, in addition to negotiating fraudulent cheques in order to gain additional credit, facilitated the withdrawal of large amount of funds, approximately $160,000, from numerous Canadian financial institutions in the form of cash advances and large purchases. The investigators believe that Mr. Patel had no intent on paying back this money. It is alleged that Mr. Patel concealed and disposed of the fraudulently obtained funds by syphoning the money through third parties, and wiring the money overseas using electronic funds transfers.

A Warrant has been issued for the arrest of Sanjay Suryakant PATEL. The public’s assistance is requested in apprehending Mr. Patel by reporting any information regarding his whereabouts to the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

During this investigation, the RCMP GTA Financial Crime Unit had been assisted by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), who provided disclosures which contributed to the success of this investigation.

The RCMP and the OSB Special Investigation Unit continue to combine their efforts to investigate allegations of criminal wrongdoing related to bankruptcy and insolvency matters in order to protect the integrity of Canada’s financial systems.

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Accusations portées dans le cadre d'une fraude en matière de faillite TORONTO, le 27 févr. 2014 – Le bureau de Toronto-Nord du Groupe de la criminalité financière de la RGT de la GRC, en collaboration avec l'Unité des enquêtes spéciales du Bureau du surintendant des faillites (BSF) de l'Ontario, a déposé des accusations contre Sanjay Suryakant PATEL, âgé de 45 ans, de Brampton, en Ontario, en vertu du Code criminel et de la Loi sur la faillite et l'insolvabilité (LFI), notamment :

• l'art. 380 CC – fraude de plus de 5 000 $ (deux chefs) • l'art. 380 CC – fraude de moins de 5000 $ • l'art. 362(1)(b) CC – obtenir du crédit par un faux semblant (deux chefs) • l'art. 392(a)(i) CC – aliénation de biens avec l'intention de frauder des créanciers • l'art. 198(1)(a) LIF – disposition frauduleuse de ses biens • l'art. 198(1)(b) LIF – omission de répondre complètement et véridiquement (deux chefs) • l'art. 198(1)(c) LIF – faire une fausse inscription ou commettre sciemment une omission

importante dans un état ou un compte (trois chefs) • l'art. 198(2) LIF – manquement aux obligations d'une faillite

L'enquête a commencé en mars 2013 après que la GRC ait reçu des informations sur des actes répréhensibles potentiels mettant en cause M. Patel. L'enquête a révélé qu'à l'automne de 2011, M. Patel s'est vu octroyer du crédit en inscrivant des renseignements fictifs sur ses demandes de crédit. Cela, conjugué à l'encaissement de chèques contrefaits pour obtenir du crédit additionnel, a facilité le retrait de fonds importants, d'un montant d'environ 160 000 $, auprès de nombreuses institutions financières canadiennes sous forme d'avances de fonds et d'achats importants. Les enquêteurs croient que M. Patel n'avait aucune intention de rembourser ces fonds. Selon les allégations, M. Patel aurait dissimulé et utilisé les fonds en les distribuant à des tiers et en virant des fonds à l'étranger au moyen de transferts de fonds électroniques.

Un mandat d'arrestation a été lancé à l'encontre de Sanjay Suryakant PATEL. Le public peut aider la GRC à appréhender M. Patel en communiquant toute information concernant ses allées et venues à la GRC de l'Ontario, en composant le 1-800-387-0020. Il est également possible de conserver l'anonymat en communiquant avec Échec au crime au 1-800-222-8477. Pour visualiser une photo de M. PATEL, consultez la Salle des nouvelles de la GRC en Ontario.

Pendant l'enquête, le Groupe de la criminalité financière de la RGT de la GRC a reçu l'aide du Centre d'analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE), qui a fourni les informations qui ont contribué au succès de cette enquête.

La GRC et l'Unité des enquêtes spéciales du BSF continuent d'unir leurs efforts pour enquêter sur les allégations d'actes criminels en matière de faillite et d'insolvabilité afin de protéger l'intégrité des systèmes financiers au Canada.

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48. Ottawa Police Service Press Conference Transcript [ 2014-01-30 ]

LOCATION/ENDROIT: Ottawa Police Station, OTTAWA, ON

PRINCIPAL(S)/PRINCIPAUX:

Charles Bordeleau, Chief, Ottawa Police

Mike Laviolette, Acting Inspector, Ottawa Police

Mike Armstrong, Chief Superintendent, Ontario Provincial Police

Guy Rook, Superintendent, District Commander for North Eastern Ontario, RCMP

SUBJECT/SUJET: News conference on a joint forces police operation has resulted in charges laid against nine individuals, the seizure of 24.5kilograms of cocaine and the dismantling of an Ottawa-based drug trafficking network.

Charles Bordeleau: (in progress) from the RCMP and the OPP and we are here to announce the conclusion of Project Anarchy.

This investigation targeted a high-level drug trafficking organization with ties to organized crime groups on an international, national and local level. This Ottawa-based network led by Hisham (Terry) Alkhalil, was identified as a priority due to public safety concerns and believed ties to the ongoing gang-related violence experienced in various cities across the country, including Toronto and British Columbia’s Lower Mainland.

Members of this network have been linked to groups responsible for several homicide files across this country. In the early morning hours of January 29th, a total of nine search warrants were executed in the city of Ottawa under the authority of the Controlled Drug and Substances Act and the Criminal Code of Canada. The warrants took place throughout our city, with over 135 police officers being deployed.

Approximately 75 charges were laid against nine men, including trafficking a controlled substance, conspiracy to traffic controlled substances, possession of controlled substances for the purposes of trafficking in cocaine, proceeds of crime, firearms offenses and conspiracy to commit an indictable offense.

You could find the full list of charges under Appendix A for individual and related offences. This successful operation is an example of a law enforcement community coming together again in an effort to tackle a serious issue relating to community safety.

Our collective objective was to dismantle the Alkhalil drug trafficking network in order to dispu-, to disrupt the distribution of cocaine to Ottawa streets and to prevent further acts of violence related to their activities throughout the country and here in the city of Ottawa, by bringing Mr. Alkhalil and his associates to justice.

The cocaine seized over the course of the two-year investigation, including the past few days, is estimated at approximately $12.25 million, which equates to approximately 24.5 kilograms of cocaine. Forty-five thousand dollars in Canadian currency and $1,300 in US currency and 10 vehicles and four firearms and two imitation firearms were also seized.

Given the violence associated with this network on a national and global scale, this is one of the most significant investigations our service has ar-, has already participated in. I want to thank the members of Ottawa Police Service and our partner agencies for their hard work. I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved together with our policing partners.

En français maintenant, le projet Anarchy ciblait une organisation de haut niveau s’adonnant au trafic de drogues et liée au crime organisé au plan international, national et local. Ce réseau, basé à Ottawa, dirigé par M. Hisham (Terry) Alkhalil fut identifié comme prioritaire en raison des risques posés à la sûreté publique et des liens présumés à une violence continuée liée aux bandes et enregistrées dans plusieurs villes du pays dont Toronto, dans les basses terres de la Colombie-Britannique.

Des nombres de réseaux ont été liés à des groupes responsables de plusieurs cas d’homicides survenus à travers le pays. Le 29 janvier, un total de neuf mandat de perquisition furent exécutés dans la ville d’Ottawa en vertu de la loi réglementaire, certaines drogues et autres substances et le Code criminel du Canada.

Environ 75 chefs d’accusation furent portés contre neuf hommes, y compris le trafic d’une substance contrôlée, le complot visant à faire le trafic de substances contrôlées, la possession de substances contrôlées en vue de faire le trafic de cocaïne, la possession de biens criminellement obtenus, diverses infractions liées aux armes à feu et le complot en vue de commettre une infraction.

L’annexe A présente une liste complète des in-, des individus inculpés des infractions. Nous avons pour objectif de démanteler le réseau de trafic de dol-, de drogues Alkhalil, de perturber la, la diffusion de cocaïne aux rues d’Ottawa et de prévenir d’autres actes criminelles de violence liées aux activités de trafiquants et en traduisant en justice M. Alkhalil et ses associés.

La coi, la cocaïne saisie au cours des deux ans de l’enquête représente une valeur de revente de près de $12.25 millions, équivalent à 24.5 kilogrammes de cocaïne. Quarante-cinq milles dollars en argent canadien et $13, $1,300 an argent américain, 10 véhicules et quatre armes à feu et deux imitations d’armes à feu furent également saisis.

Mike Armstrong: On behalf of the men and women of the Ontario Provincial Police Organized Crime and Enforcement Bureau, it’s a pleasure to be here today.

We are pleased to be here with our partners, the Ottawa Police Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. As a result of our combined expertise and shared resources, we have successfully brought down the Alkhalil drug trafficking organization.

It’s important to recognize that we not only, not only investigative team but also our frontline members for assisting with the execution of search warrants yesterday.

The large cocaine seizures and the subsequent arrest of the persons named in the media release will have a significant impact, not only in this community but in several other communities across Ontario and Canada. This means millions of dollars of illegal drugs has been removed from our streets and away from our vulnerable young people.

The fact that the abuse of dangerous illegal drugs continues to be a threat in Ontario communities, requires the highly trained, confident and professional law enforcement partnerships such as you see here today, which includes all of us at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. No one agency can do it alone, so we will continue to work together and use our specific expertise and resources to our best advantage. We owe that to the communities we police.

The Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau is committed to crime prevention and the delivery of investigative excellence in support of our policing partners and, and other stakeholders in identifying, disrupting and eliminating individuals and networks involved in the trafficking of illicit drugs and controlled substances.

I‘m proud that our officers are part of this dedicated team of professionals. And once again, we want to congratulate all the members involved in this investigation for their dedication, and I thank them for their hard work on Project Anarchy. We will remain steadfast in our resolve to ensure Ontario communities remain safe.

I’d now like to turn it over to Superintendent Guy Rook of the RCMP.

Guy Rook: Thank you. Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for coming here today.

Bonjour à tous et merci d’être ici aujourd’hui.

My name is Superintendent Guy Rook and I’m the Northeast District Commander of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Ontario. It is a pleasure to be here today to highlight this very important investigation.

As Canada’s national police force, the RCMP is very proud to work with our municipal and provincial law enforcement partners to combat the illicit drug trade and dismantle the criminal groups behind it.

En tant que service de police national du Canada, la GRC est fière de travailler en collaboration avec ses partenaires provinciaux et municipaux de l’application de la loi afin de combattre les trafics des drogues illicites et de démanteler les groupes criminels qui s’y livrent.

As you have heard, this investigation is a joint law enforcement operation focused on the activities of individuals involved in the distribution of cocaine. I am certain that the drugs that have been distributed throughout our communities have without a doubt destroyed lives and impacted on the health and safety of our neighbourhoods.

J’ai la certitude que les drogues qui ont été distribuées dans nos collectivités ont, sans aucun doute, détruit des vies, nuit à la santé et la sécurité des résidents de nos quartiers.

These criminal groups are often very complex and difficult to investigate. However, through the sharing of our combined police resources and areas of expertise, we were able to conduct a successful investigation and bring these groups to justice. No one police agency can do this on their own. Through collaboration, we are most effective at combatting serious and organized crime.

The RCMP provided resources from our Ottawa detachment. One of the areas that we assisted in were in the financial aspects of this investigation. We know that criminals seek to profit from their illegal activities. These illicit profits serve to undermine the social and economic well-being of Canadians and at the same time, increase the power and influence of criminal groups.

For example, in this investigation, we have restrained a house owned by Mr. Hisham Alkhalil that is valued at approximately $1.5 million. I would certainly like to acknowledge the assistance we received from the Financial Transactions Reports Analysis Centre of Canada in this investigation.

Our commitment to reduce the impact of serious and organized crime is unwavering. I want to thank all the law enforcement members and personnel for their efforts and continued dedication to ensure our communities are safe places to live, work and raise our families.

Going forward, the RCMP and our local, national and international partners will continue to work together to dismantle, disrupt, to identify, disrupt and dismantle criminal groups who are engaged in distributing drugs throughout our communities, destroying lives and compromising the economic security of our country. Thank you. Merci.

Mike Laviolette: Okay, nous allons procéder à la période des questions. Avant qu’on commence, j’aimerais que vous levez la main et lorsque je vous donne la parole, identifiez-vous et votre média, et puis commencez.

Okay, we’ll start the question period. Raise your hand. Once I give you the floor, please identify yourself and the media you represent and then we’ll go from there.

Yes?

Question: Ian MacLeod from The Citizen. Chief (off microphone) press release (off microphone) local group, but it also refers to network connections elsewhere in Canada. Can you elaborate on, on just how this links out?

Charles Bordeleau: Absolutely. The, the, this network is based locally here in Ottawa but has close ties to other organizations and the Alkhalil family, which have been committing acts of violence, including homicides, in Toronto and the Lower Mainland. So our concern from a public safety perspective is seeing the violence that was occurring in those jurisdictions, we wanted to have a preemptive strike to ensure that our community remained safe.

So that’s why, in partnership with the RCMP and the OPP, we targeted this local network and brought about the successful conclusion of this investigation.

Question: (off microphone) the organized crime, is it bikers, is it, you know, European mob? I mean, could you be a little more specific?

Guy Rook: I can address that. In this particular case, I wouldn’t necessarily put a label on them. This drug trafficking network has ties to all organized crime facets. We’ve seen the Hell’s Angels in this, we’ve seen traditional organized crime, a good number of groups throughout the country.

Question: (off microphone) or a case that sort of, how did this originate?

Charles Bordeleau: We do risk analysis and, mainly because we have to focus our efforts and get the biggest bang for our buck, if you will. So we will look at what are the biggest threats to our community and in, with the limited resources we have, we’ll put those resources towards that.

With the Alkhalil family, they’ve been known to us for a number of years, as well as other law enforcement partners throughout the country. So we saw an opportunity here. And Ottawa Police were the, the lead agency, if you will, mainly because they live here, they’re based out of here, but this was a collaborative effort with all our partners across the country.

Question: Are you expecting more arrests?

Charles Bordeleau: We, right now, we have three, out of the list that you were provided, we have three people outstanding: Mr. Elouta, Mr. Grewal and Mr. Kavanagh. There are, Canada-wide warrants have been issued for all three of those individuals, but the rest have all been arrested.

Question: And we think they’re still in Canada?

Charles Bordeleau: Oh yes. Yeah. We have no reason to believe they fled the country.

Mike Laviolette: Anymore questions?

Question: Superintendent, you referenced FINTRAC. Did, did FINTRAC’s information spark this or, or was that at the outset of this investigation? Or did that come along later? (Off microphone) you know, FINTRAC is trying to raise its profile in terms of helping you guys. So I’m wondering where did they come in in this investigation?

Mike Armstrong: Yes, as Chief Bordeleau mentioned, the public safety concern and the connections of the family’s activities to, to Toronto and British Columbia were certainly important. But when, when we set upon the investigation together, FINTRAC would have assisted us at that point. And they were very, very helpful in providing an analysis of transactions that are reported that assisted us in our investigation.

Question: Marc Gauthier, Radio-Canada. Vous parlez de la famille de M.

Charles Bordeleau: Alkhalil.

Question: Alkhalil. Mais il y a pas d’autres personnes de, de sa famille qui ont été arrêtées?

Charles Bordeleau: Un frère est, est présentement en prison en Grèce. L’autre, un autre frère qui est hors de, du pays présentement mais il y a un mandat d’arrestation pour lui. Pas avec notre filière, c’est une autre filière avec une autre agence. Mais la famille comme tel est très connue à travers le pays. Et aussi la question a été demandée c’est, c’est quoi qui a, qui a vraiment commencé l’enquête.

C’est, ils gagnent leurs vies en trafiquant des stupéfiants. Par contre, le niveau de violence associé avec les membres de l’entourage de la famille Alkhalil et des membres de la famille, c’est vraiment ça qui a élevé notre, notre niveau d’attention sur eux.

Question: Qu’est-ce que vous voulez dire par violence?

Charles Bordeleau: Des meurtres.

Question: Ces familles sont liées à (hors microphone)?

Charles Bordeleau: Oui.

Question: Ni dans la région de la capitale?

Charles Bordeleau: À travers le pays. M. Rabih Alkhalil est présentement en détention en Grèce mais il, il y a des chefs d’accusation de meurtre portés contre lui contre, à Vancouver ainsi qu’à Toronto, et aussi un accusé dans le projet Locasse (ph) et le projet Ink à Niagara aussi.

Mike Laviolette: Joe?

Question: Could you just repeat (off microphone) in English about

Charles Bordeleau: Sorry?

Question: Could you repeat the answer in English about the Alkhalil family?

Charles Bordeleau: Right. There are a number of factors when we’re looking at where we’re going to direct our efforts and, as I said, we do risk assessment, but really, what really pushed this one forward was the violence associated with the Alkhalil network and their associates.

The, one of the brothers, Rabih Alkhalil, is currently in custody in custody in Greece. There are extraditions hearings going on as we speak to bring him back to face charges of murder in the Raposo homicide in Toronto, another homicide in Vancouver and he’s facing a number of drug charges related to two separate projects, one being Project INK in Niagara and, and Projet Locasse (ph) in Quebec.

So there are a number of factors that would, that would make us put out attention, focus our attention on this organization.

Mike Laviolette: We’ll take two more questions and we’ll proceed to the one on ones.

Deux autres questions, ensuite nous allons faire les entrevues un à un.

Question: Chief Bordeleau or to the other officers. There have been dozens, dozens of press conferences like this held in this region over the last quarter century, quite a while. We’re here again today in another one where pictures of drugs or the actual narcotics (off microphone) the guns are put up. You guys (off microphone) we’re here again. Do you feel this is futile? Do you feel frustrated and, and, and, you know, how would you characterize the, the narcotics situation in this community right now?

Charles Bordeleau: Well, there’s no question that bringing to justice the Alkhalil family here in Ottawa and their associates and this network is going to have a major impact on the drug trafficking in our community. More importantly, it’ll also address a serious threat of violence that we were predicting that would come to our, to our, to our capital city. So it is, it is a preemptive strike to stop any violence from coming through this family to our, to our community, affecting our communities.

The, you know, the fight against drugs is a, is a, is a continual battle. It’s, you know, we will be here again in another point in time with another news conference, and I think that makes our, our, the work that our people are doing out there, the, the, the tremendous two, two years of effort of police officers and civilian members associated with this project bear fruition.

There’s a great sense of satisfaction, yet they know that there are others out there who will pick up the, the void created by these arrests. And the demand, the demand is there for it, and I think it’s not just a law enforcement effort, but it’s an entire community effort to try and combat this, the issue of drugs and, and the impact it’s having in our, in our communities.

Question: How big is this family (off microphone)?

Guy Rook: I couldn’t tell you offhand how many. There’s certainly three brothers who are known to us. I believe there are two other brothers who were murdered on the West Coast a number of years ago.

Question: Three brothers here in Ottawa?

Guy Rook: That’s right. No, actually no. Rabih is from Montreal, currently in Greece, and the other two brothers from here.

Question: Are they Ottawa natives?

Guy Rook: No. They’re actually Iranian and moved here many years ago, to the West coast, and then moved from Vancouver, the Lower Mainland to Ottawa.

Mike Laviolette: Okay. It concludes this part. We’ll proceed to one on one interviews.

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49. Man faces seven charges in $7 million fraud investigation, Steven Joshua Nowack, 50, Photograph of man released [ 2013-10-29 ]

(NEWSCANADA) PLUS TORONTO NEWS – In August 2013, following a complaint from a local resident, police started a fraud investigation between Toronto Police Service (23 & 53 Divisions) and the Ontario Securities Commission’s – Joint Serious Offences Team (JSOT).

It is alleged that:

• between October 2009 and July 2013, a man presented himself as a foreign-currency trader, trading a pool of funds from his investors in excess of $40 million

• he convinced people, through client references, to invest with him in his pool of funds on the foreign-currency exchange market

• he never returned the invested money although he claimed there were large profits made • five victims were defrauded of approximately $7.1 million • this investigation is now international in scope

On Wednesday, October 23, 2013, Steven Joshua Nowack, 50, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with:

• five counts of Fraud Over $5,000 • two counts of Uttering Forged Documents

He appeared in court at College Park on Thursday October 24, 2013, room 507.

The investigation is ongoing.

Police believe there may be more victims.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2347, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook. Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

The OSC – JSOT is in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to enhance confidence in the Canadian capital markets through effective enforcement of fraudulent securities activity.

TPS and OSC – JSOT appreciate the assistance provided to this investigation by FINTRAC (Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre).

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50. N.B. police make several drug arrests [ 2013-09-06 ]

Police in northern New Brunswick have arrested several people as part of a major drug operation.

Yesterday, police executed a number of search warrants, arrested several people and seized a quantity of illegal drugs, following a joint-force investigation into the trafficking of drugs in eastern New Brunswick.

The investigation involved the New Brunswick RCMP's federal operations East Bathurst detachment, the Northeast and Southeast District RCMP, the northeast integrated intelligence unit, the Bathurst Police Force, the BNPP Regional Police Force, and the Miramichi Police Force with assistance from the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada.

The individuals who were arrested will appear in Tracadie-Sheila provincial court at 9:30 a.m. today.

Supt. Gilles Maillet, the RCMP's federal policing officer, Bathurst police Chief Eugène Poitras and BNPP Chief Josh Ouellette will speak to media at 11 a.m. today, at 3514 Main St., in Tracadie-Sheila. A quantity of drugs seized during the investigation will also be on display at that time.

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51. RCMP / GRC [ 2013-08-16 ]

RCMP seize several kilograms of drugs and thousands of pills, Shediac, N.B. RCMP Federal Operations East has arrested two men and seized a large quantity of drugs as the result of a 10-month investigation into drug trafficking in Southeastern New Brunswick.

On August 15, 2013, RCMP Federal Operations East investigators from Moncton, with assistance from RCMP Traffic Services, Southeast District RCMP in Shediac, Codiac Regional RCMP, and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) intercepted a recreational vehicle on Highway 15 near Shediac.

A search of the RV enabled police to seize approximately 19,000 methamphetamine pills, 11 kilograms of cannabis resin and 3 kilograms of cocaine.

As part of the investigation, investigators also executed search warrants on August 15 at 40 Inglis Street in Shediac and at the Old Cosmo Bar Complex on Westmorland Street in Moncton. These additional searches resulted in the seizure of drug trafficking paraphernalia.

A 41-year-old man from Dieppe, Luc LeBlanc and a 25-year-old man from Moncton, Jeffrey Bujold, appeared in Moncton Provincial Court on August 16. The two men have been charged jointly with 3 counts of trafficking controlled substances and 3 counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking under sections 5(1) and 5(2) of the Controlled Drug and Substances Act.

At the time of his arrest, Bujold was on parole which has since been revoked by Correctional Services Canada as a result of this police investigation.

The investigation continues.

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Saisie de plusieurs kilos de drogue et de milliers de comprimés, Shediac (N.-B.) Des membres de la Section des opérations fédérales (Est) de la GRC ont arrêté deux hommes et saisi une importante quantité de drogues dans le cadre d’une enquête de dix mois sur le trafic de drogue dans le Sud-Est du Nouveau-Brunswick.

Le 15 août 2013, des enquêteurs du bureau de Moncton de la Section des opérations fédérales (Est) de la GRC ont intercepté un véhicule de plaisance sur la route 15, près de Shediac, en collaboration avec des membres des Services de sécurité routière de la GRC, des membres du Détachement de Shediac dans le District du Sud-Est de la GRC, des membres de la GRC de Codiac, et des employés du Centre d'analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE).

Une perquisition du véhicule a permis de saisir environ 19 000 comprimés de méthamphétamine, 11 kilos de résine de cannabis et 3 kilos de cocaïne.

Le 15 août, dans le cadre de l’enquête, les enquêteurs ont aussi exécuté des mandats de perquisition au 40, rue Inglis, à Shediac, ainsi qu’au Old Cosmo Bar Complex, situé sur la rue Westmorland, à Moncton. Ces perquisitions additionnelles ont permis de saisir des objets associés au trafic de drogues.

Luc LeBlanc, 41 ans, de Dieppe, et Jeffrey Bujold, 25 ans, de Moncton, ont comparu en cour provinciale à Moncton le 16 août. En vertu des articles 5(1) et 5(2) de la Loi réglementant certaines drogues et autres substances, on a porté contre les deux hommes trois chefs d’accusation conjoints de trafic de substances réglementées et trois chefs d’accusation conjoints de possession de substances réglementées dans le but d’en faire le trafic.

Au moment de son arrestation, Jeffrey Bujold était en liberté conditionnelle. Le Service correctionnel du Canada a depuis révoqué sa libération conditionnelle en raison de cette enquête policière.

L’enquête se poursuit.

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52. Duffy expense claims fraudulent: RCMP [ 2013-08-09 ]

Senator billed red chamber while campaigning for Tories in 2011, Mounties allege

Jordan Press

Sen. Mike Duffy charged the Senate for travel and daily expenses during the last federal election when he was campaigning for the Conservatives, new RCMP court documents allege.

Investigators poring through Duffy's expense claims from the 2011 election suggest that he billed the red chamber for per diems and flights while campaigning for at least 11 Conservative candidates across the country. The claims were sometimes for himself, but at least two claims involved travel for Duffy and his wife, say the RCMP.

Lead investigator Cpl. Greg Horton writes in the court document filed Thursday that Duffy claimed per diems – valued at $86.35 per day – and almost $6,000 in travel on days when he was on the campaign trail and not in Ottawa because the Senate wasn't sitting.

"I believe that Senator Duffy has demonstrated a pattern of filing fraudulent expense claims," Horton writes in the document.

"He submitted expense claims for Senate business to cover travel costs during the federal election campaign, and filed per diem claims for being in Ottawa for Senate business on days when he was actually campaigning in other parts of the country."

The documents also show the RCMP have turned to the federal agency charged with tracking suspicious financial transactions, known by the acronym FINTRAC, to pull information on Duffy's banking records as investigators continue to build their case.

Horton also notes that a FINTRAC report showed investigators that Duffy changed the address on his personal bank account to his address in Prince Edward Island just days after the Senate said it was conducting an internal audit of all primary and secondary housing allowance claims. The change in address came on Dec. 10, 2012, four days after the Senate announced its internal review.

A Senate committee had previously been told that a cheque Duffy used to repay his $90,000 housing allowance bill was from an Ottawabased account, but the cheque itself had a Prince Edward Island address.

The revelations, contained in a court document filed Thursday in Ottawa, are part of a production order that will go to two banks – CIBC and Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) – compelling each to provide investigators with details of Duffy's bank accounts and personal credit cards.

The records are part of a forensic audit of the former Conservative senator's expense claims.

RBC is also being asked for a mortgage application Duffy made with his wife in April 2010 "as it contains evidence of the location of Duffy's primary residence," Horton writes.

That mortgage, registered on April 8, 2010, against his Ottawa-area home, was for $360,000, according to land registry documents obtained by Postmedia News.

Duffy, like other senators, has a Senate-issued American Express card, but Horton writes that Duffy used personal credit cards on multiple occasions for expenses he later claimed from the Senate. Horton claims the RCMP has identified 50 charges on two CIBC Visa credit cards that Duffy then expensed to the Senate, and two transactions related to travel during the 2011 election.

An RBC Visa card was used for four trips Duffy then billed to the Senate, and 26 transactions related to his partisan activities during the campaign.

Investigators have also spoken with Duffy's former administrative assistant, Diane Scharf, who told Citizen reporter Glen McGregor in a May interview that she took responsibility for Duffy's claims, saying she prepared his expense claims for Senate finance officials. According to the RCMP, Scharf told investigators she completed the claims "based on his travel schedule and receipts he provided to her."

"She then submitted the claims to Duffy for his signature prior to sending them for processing," Horton writes.

Access to the bank records and credit card statements should give investigators the information they need to determine how much Duffy claimed from the Senate and how much he actually spent.

"The expense claims submitted by Duffy are handwritten, often with several amendments and corrections," Horton writes.

"Mr. Grenon (the RCMP unit's forensic accountant) has advised that there are some expense claims where he is unable to determine how much was actually paid to Duffy as a result of the claim, due to the pen strokes. The bank statements from Duffy's RBC account will provide evidence in that regard."

The RCMP claim that Duffy charged the Senate for expenses while campaigning for three defeated candidates and eight elected MPs, including Rodney Weston, Greg Kerr, Gerald Keddy and Scott Armstrong between April 12 and 21, 2011, even though he listed the purpose of his travel as "meetings in the region and in New Brunswick" on his Senate expense form. Duffy then allegedly filed expense invoices to each campaign, which were submitted to Elections Canada.

"It would appear that the purpose of Duffy's trip was to campaign in the federal election and that the cost of the flights to and from the region should not have been charged to the Senate," Horton writes. "Based on my review of the expense claim, Duffy was late in filing it, and it was not initially paid because of that. It is unclear if it was eventually paid."

Duffy also allegedly doublebilled for per diems on April 28, 2011, even though he was campaigning for the Tories, including MPs John Carmichael and Wladyslaw Lizon, as well as Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver.

"He was not in Ottawa on April 28, nor was the Senate sitting," Horton writes. "He was therefore not entitled to those claims."

The document notes that the RCMP are investigating Duffy for two allegations of breach of trust – one for allegedly fraudulent housing claims, the other for the allegedly false per diems – and another allegation of frauds on the government. The latter allegation deals with a $90,000 secret payment Duffy received from Prime Minister Stephen Harper's then-chief of staff, Nigel Wright, to help cover the repayment of his improper housing claims.

According to the document, Wright has given investigators hundreds of pages to go through, although the nature of the documents and their content is not made clear. Horton writes that investigators have obtained "a significant number of documents" and that "analysis of those documents is ongoing."

Duffy has not been charged with any crime, nor have any of the allegations been tested in court. Duffy left the Conservative in caucus in mid-May, saying the ongoing scandal was a distraction for his party.

A message left for Duffy on Thursday was not returned.

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53. RCMP / GRC [ 2013-07-25 ]

Charges laid in bankruptcy fraud investigation TORONTO, July 25, 2013 – The Integrated Bankruptcy Enforcement Unit comprised of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) – Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Financial Crime Section and the Ontario Region Special Investigation Unit of the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB), charged the following individual with offences under the Criminal Code and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA). The allegations all relate to fraud and the abuse of the bankruptcy process.

Jagprit Singh Raju BHATIA, age 41, of Toronto, Ontario has been charged with one count under section 362 of the 30; 'knowingly making a false statement'. Furthermore, Mr. BHATIA is charged with three counts of 'making a material omission in a statement', Sec. 198(1) (c) BIA, and two counts of 'failure in duties of a bankrupt', Sec.198(2) BIA.

The matter is scheduled for first appearance at Ontario Court of Justice – Old City Hall in Toronto on July 26th, 2013.

The RCMP and the OSB Special Investigation Units will continue to combine their efforts to investigate allegations of criminal wrongdoing related to bankruptcy and insolvency matters in order to protect the integrity of the insolvency system in Canada.

During this investigation, the Greater Toronto Area Financial Crime Section had been assisted by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), who provided disclosures which contributed to the success of this investigation.

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Accusations portées dans le cadre d'une enquête sur une fraude en matière de faillite TORONTO, le 25 juill. 2013 – L'Unité intégrée de contrôle des mises en faillite, qui regroupe la Section de la criminalité financière de la région du grand Toronto (RGT) de la Gendarmerie royale du Canada (GRC) et l'Unité des enquêtes spéciales du Bureau du surintendant des faillites de l'Ontario, a déposé des accusations contre la personne suivante en vertu du Code criminel et de la Loi sur la faillite et l'insolvabilité (LFI). Toutes les allégations concernent une fraude et l'abus de la procédure de mise en faillite.

Jagprit Singh Raju BHATIA, 41 ans, de Toronto, en Ontario, fait l'objet d'un chef d'accusation en vertu du paragraphe 362 du Code criminel pour avoir « sciemment fait une fausse déclaration ». M. BHATIA fait également face à trois chefs d'accusation pour avoir « commis une omission importante dans un état » (paragraphe 198 (1) c) de la LFI), ainsi qu'à deux chefs d'accusation pour avoir « manqué aux obligations d'un failli » (paragraphe 198 (2) de la LFI.)

La première comparution de l'accusé en lien avec cette affaire doit avoir lieu le 26 juillet 2013 devant la Cour de justice de l'Ontario, à l'Ancien hôtel de ville de Toronto.

La GRC et les unités d'enquêtes spéciales du Bureau du surintendant des faillites vont continuer d'unir leurs efforts pour enquêter sur des allégations d'actes criminels en matière de faillite et d'insolvabilité afin de protéger l'intégrité du système d'insolvabilité au Canada.

Dans le cadre de cette enquête, la Section de la criminalité financière de la région du grand Toronto a pu compter sur l'aide du Centre d'analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE), qui lui a communiqué des renseignements ayant contribué à la conclusion fructueuse de l'enquête.

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54. Latest charges broaden case against former MUHC head [ 2013-05-29 ]

Porter also faces allegations of conspiracy, laundering the proceeds of crime

Aaron Derfel

The case against Arthur Porter, former head of the McGill University Health Centre, grew bigger on Monday with two new criminal charges against him.

In February, authorities brought a raft of charges against Porter – including defrauding the government, accepting secret commissions and breach of trust – stemming from the $1.3-billion superhospital contract that was won by engineering conglomerate SNC-Lavalin.

On Monday, Interpol arrested Porter and his wife, Pamela Mattock, in Panama. Authorities also made public the two new charges – conspiracy and laundering the proceeds of crime.

The older charges date from Oct. 16, 2008, to Aug. 31, 2011, when Porter was still chief executive officer of the MUHC.

The two new charges cover a different period – from July 1, 2009, to Dec. 31, 2012. On Dec. 5, 2011, Porter resigned as CEO of the MUHC amid intense pressure surrounding his private business interests outside of the hospital network.

The new charges allege that Porter was still involved in criminal activity more than a year after he quit the MUHC.

Since early 2012, Porter has been living in the Bahamas with his wife in a gated community in Nassau and where he runs a private cancer clinic that he founded.

The latest arrests bring to seven the number of people who are alleged to have been part of a plot to defraud the MUHC of $22.5 million.

In addition to Porter and Mattock, the others are Pierre Duhaime, former CEO of SNC-Lavalin; Riadh Ben Aïssa, a former vice-president of SNC-Lavalin currently jailed in Switzerland on suspicion of making bribes in return for contracts in Libya; Jeremy Morris, an associate of Porter, based in the Bahamas; Yanai Elbaz, the MUHC's former planning director of the superhospital; and Yohann Elbaz, a lawyer and the brother of Yanai.

Partially unsealed affidavits obtained by The Gazette allege that Ben Aïssa "orchestrated" $22.5 million in unapproved payments to gain the superhospital contract.

The affidavits state that SNC-Lavalin, under the direction of Ben Aïssa and Duhaime, directed the payments to a company, Sierra Asset Management, in the Bahamas. Sgt. Jean-Frédérick Gagnon, a

Quebec police investigator, noted in the affidavit that Sierra Asset Management was formed on Nov. 16, 2009.

An agreement was later signed between Sierra Asset Management and SNC-Lavalin for an unspecified gas project in Algeria.

That agreement called for three payments totalling $10 million to be made between December 2009 and April 2010.

On April 1, 2010, the Quebec government announced that Groupe immobilier santé McGill, a private consortium led by SNC-Lavalin, had won the superhospital contract. The affidavits note that Porter had served as president of the selection committee that awarded the contract.

In their investigation, police came across information provided by FINTRAC – a federal agency that monitors money laundering – that reveals a convoluted money trail of payments from SNC-Lavalin to Sierra Asset Management, with significant sums that are alleged to have ended up in bank accounts held by Porter.

The affidavits note that deposits were made into Porter's accounts beginning in January 2007. Porter began his tenure at the MUHC in February 2004. In 2007, the MUHC picked the two consortia that would bid on the project.

The last mention of payments into Porter's accounts in the affidavits is on June 18, 2012 – more than six months after he left the MUHC. In September 2012, investigators raided the headquarters of the MUHC, leaving with documents related to the superhospital contract.

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55. Portail Québec News Release [ 2013-04-25 ]

Project Lauréat – Yohann Elbaz arrested by UPAC, Quebec's permanent anti-corruption squad MONTRÉAL, le 25 avril 2013 /CNW Telbec / – Le Service des enquêtes sur la corruption (SQ) de l'UPAC a arrêté ce matin Yohann Elbaz, un suspect dans le dossier Lauréat pour lequel Arthur Porter, Yanaï Elbaz, Jeremy Morris, Riadh Ben Aïssa et Pierre Duhaime ont également été accusés d'infractions criminelles.

Dans le cas de Yohann Elbaz, ce sont 16 chefs d'accusations criminelles qui ont été autorisés par le Bureau de lutte à la corruption et à la malversation du Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales, notamment pour fraudes et fraudes envers le gouvernement, abus de confiance par un fonctionnaire public, commissions secrètes et recyclage des produits de la criminalité.

Notons que dans cette enquête, le Service des enquêtes sur la corruption de la Sûreté du Québec a bénéficié de la collaboration du Centre d'analyse des opérations et déclarations financières du Canada (CANAFE).

Yohann Elbaz devra comparaître dans cette cause le 23 mai 2013 au Palais de justice de Montréal.

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56. Calgarian convicted in investment scam [ 2013-04-04 ]

Clara Ho

A Calgary investment company owner pleaded guilty Wednesday to fraud over $5,000 in connection with a $35-million Ponzi scheme that cheated trusted clients, family and friends out of assets and savings.

Robert Sellars, 76, will be sentenced July 19. He was initially charged with an additional count of fraud over $5,000 and two counts of theft over $5,000, but those charges were stayed.

Charges against his daughter, 49-year-old Penny Sellars, were also stayed.

Police said the scheme involved $35 million and 350 people, most of them from Alberta. But charges ended up being laid in connection with 43 victims and $6 million in investments.

"This case was one of the bigger ones," said Insp. Darcy Fleury with the RCMP Calgary Integrated Market Enforcement Team.

Officers launched an investigation in January 2010 after receiving a complaint from an investor that he'd been defrauded by Sellars.

Police were assisted by Canada's Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre, which traces and reports on large or unusual money transactions.

Police said Sellars was a successful insurance salesman for decades and started his own company, Sellars Financial Inc., in 1992.

He recruited former insurance clients, friends and family to invest with him, promising returns of 15 to 18 per cent annually, and occasionally, 24 to 36 per cent annually.

Police said Sellars' daughter helped recruit investors.

Some investors were told the money was being invested in gold mining operations and European money markets, police said, adding some investors didn't check to see where their money was going because they trusted Sellars.

But when the company collapsed in 2009 and declared bankruptcy two years later, many people lost millions.

Police said the money raised was not used for investments that could provide sufficient returns to meet the promises the Sellars made to their clients.

In fact, money received from newer investors was used to pay interest payments to older investors.

"These were people he'd known for many, many years," Fleury said.

"For the most part, they are fairly devastated. They've cancelled retirement plans, gone back to work. Most of it, of course, was a large part of their financial future and now it's gone."

Sellars was previously handed a two-year jail sentence after being convicted of fraud following a regulatory investigation by the Alberta Securities Commission.

Fleury warned would-be investors to do their homework and make sure they know what they're investing in.

"Even though you trust somebody and have a relationship with them, do your due diligence."

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57. Cash in bag from crime: Mounties [ 2013-03-26 ]

Bus rider charged year later

Nick Martin

His big mistake was getting off the bus in Winnipeg to stretch his legs – with $1.3 million in cash in his backpack, police say. An Ontario man under securities investigation in British Columbia, who may also be a Swiss national and who has a financial company in Switzerland and another financial company operating in the British Virgin Islands, reportedly had almost 12 kilograms of cash, mainly in $100 bills, in his backpack on Feb. 27, 2012, when he had to pass through security at the Winnipeg bus depot to get back on the bus to Vancouver.

Monday, Manitoba RCMP announced after a year-long investigation that Erwin Thomas Speckert, 50, of Minden, Ont., faces charges alleging he possessed proceeds of crime for the purpose of trafficking and laundering, and that the money was allegedly the proceeds of illegal gaming in Ontario.

"The story goes, he was en route to Vancouver, B.C., and had a pit stop here in the Greyhound bus terminal," RCMP Sgt. Line Karpish said Monday. "Security became aware this man had a lot of cash in his backpack" and called Winnipeg police, Karpish said.

The man may not have been aware of Greyhound's tightened security following the slaying of a bus passenger near Portage la Prairie in July 2008, said Karpish, praising Greyhound officials for their vigilance.

The man's explanation for having the cash was sufficiently compelling that he was eventually allowed to go on his way, said Karpish, who declined to give details: "I can't really delve into the conversations and evidentiary situation," she said.

But the Mounties launched an investigation that included the Toronto Combined Forces special-enforcement unit, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Winnipeg Police Service and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).

Last Friday, after a warrant was issued and following negotiations through his lawyer, Speckert turned himself in to RCMP in Winnipeg, Karpish said.

She would not elaborate on the charges, nor would she say anything more about the allegation the money was the proceeds of illegal gaming in Ontario. Minden is a small town in eastern Ontario cottage country.

"This is a Manitoba investigation and these are Manitoba charges," Karpish said.

In Vancouver Monday, Richard Gilhooley of the British Columbia Securities Commission confirmed Speckert is the same man who has been under regulatory investigation there for his alleged role as an intermediary in the trading of stocks in which alleged "false and misleading statements" occurred.

"We're saying he's a Swiss national, because that's part of his defence, that we don't have jurisdiction" against him, Gilhooley said.

The B.C. Securities Commission is alleging Speckert was an intermediary for a B.C. firm that "writes up tout sheets" for stocks and that as much as $8.2 million changed hands with a company that Speckert operates out of the British Virgin Islands.

"Highly unregulated penny stocks are what they are," Gilhooley said.

The securities commission believes Speckert is the managing director of a Swiss company called Everest Asset Management.

"BCSC staff contend that Speckert acts as an intermediary for undisclosed persons who secretly promote securities in or through B.C.," the commission said in an earlier news release.

The criminal charges that Speckert faces in Manitoba took regulatory investigators in Vancouver by surprise Monday, Gilhooley said.

Meanwhile, Peter Lamey of FINTRAC said from Ottawa his federal agency analyzes "financial transactions where the proceeds of crime are involved" for police departments.

Karpish said Speckert has been released on a recognizance to appear in court in Winnipeg April 22.

He is charged with possession of proceeds of crime, trafficking in proceeds of crime, possession for the purpose of trafficking in proceeds of crime, and laundering of proceeds of crime regarding funds alleged to be the proceeds of illegal gaming in Ontario.

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