https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2019/07/10/les-cartels-mexicains-a-lassaut-du-marche-des-hellsMexican cartels storm the Hells market
It is difficult to assess whether this will be the prelude to a wave of violence
Éric Thibault
ERIC THIBAULT
Wednesday, 10 July 2019 01:00
UPDATE Wednesday, 10 July 2019 01:00
The dreaded Mexican cartels will soon be competing with Canada's Hells Angels and other criminal groups with their methamphetamine, an increasingly popular drug in the country.
This is a scenario envisioned by the Criminal Intelligence Service Canada (CISC) in its most recent analysis of the drug market this year.
The national police agency reports "a surge in methamphetamine trafficking and use in most parts of the country" over the past five years, but does not quantify this increase.
Important threat
Methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl are "the biggest threat" to the Canadian drug market because of their growing demand and "adverse effects," according to the report by Le Journal .
In Canada, the methamphetamine clientele, known as "pinotle" or "speed", is mainly supplied by clandestine laboratories located in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.
However, Mexican cartels have managed to gain control of this market in the United States, which "is now supplied mainly by Mexican super-labs," according to the SCRC.
These cartels are already at the origin of "almost all the cocaine" consumed in Quebec and in the rest of Canada.
"[Mexican] methamphetamine is likely to add to existing cocaine supply and trafficking routes, suggesting that Canadian organized crime groups will be facing increased competition," the organization said. under the RCMP.
It remains to be seen whether this would be done with or without violence. In Quebec, the Hells dominate this niche, but bikers also do business with Mexican cartels to import coke, according to police sources.
Separate company
Moreover, the speed market in Quebec is different from the rest of the country.
"Crystal or powder production is the norm in Western Canada and Ontario, but in Quebec up to [...] 95% of the methamphetamine on the market is in the form of tablets. ", Also passed in the Maritimes, says the SCRC.
This inexpensive drug is very popular with young people. In Quebec, a tablet that cost just a few cents to manufacture in clandestine laboratories in the province sells for around $ 5 on the street.
Sign that the production and trafficking of "meth" are profitable, the number of Canadian criminal groups involved in this drug has increased by 28% since 2015.
EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORT
"The easy availability and manufacture of methamphetamine plays a big role in increasing the use of this drug. "
"Methamphetamine is now the third most seized controlled substance [in Canada], preceded by cannabis and cocaine. "
"Despite efforts to reduce the supply of methamphetamine, prices for the drug are generally declining across the country, making it even more appealing to consumers. "
"Total methamphetamine supply is likely to outpace domestic demand and organized crime will continue to export this substance ... to Australia and New Zealand [where] prices can be eight times higher than Canada's. "
- Criminal Intelligence Service Canada
