Canadian organized crime groups forging links with Mexican outlaws: RCMP

OTTAWA – The RCMP says Canadian organized-crime groups have forged links with Mexican outlaws in an attempt to secure a direct supply of cocaine and increase their profits by eliminating the middleman.

An internal analysis by the Mounties notes that since 2008 at least 10 Canadians have been shot or killed in Mexico under circumstances suggesting involvement with local criminal elements.

The RCMP analysis says some were known to be active in drug trafficking in Canada and all had extensive criminal backgrounds.

A copy of the assessment and an accompanying review of the implications for Canada were released to The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act.

The Mounties say global borders have become blurred with the proliferation of transnational organized crime.

As a result, Canadian criminal networks have expanded in scope, conducting business on an international scale with illicit organizations in other countries.