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Canada Moves to Designate Criminal Cartels as Terrorist Entities in Opioid Crisis Response

With the recent appointment of a new fentanyl czar in Canada, Public Safety Minister David McGuinty has outlined the next steps in the ongoing battle against the opioid epidemic. He announced plans to classify criminal cartels as terrorist organizations under the nation’s Criminal Code.

During a press conference at Toronto Pearson International Airport, McGuinty emphasized that by categorizing these cartels as terrorist groups, law enforcement agencies—such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and local police departments—would gain enhanced authority. This designation will enable them to investigate illicit financial flows more effectively and utilize advanced anti-money laundering tactics.

“Currently, a significant meeting is taking place in downtown Toronto involving key players from the Public Safety Department, Finance Canada, our fentanyl czar, and senior officials from the RCMP. They are engaging with representatives from the six largest chartered banks in Canada,” he stated.

“They are kicking off a new initiative for intelligence sharing on money laundering schemes and organized crime, which is essential for our efforts against the fentanyl crisis,” he added.

Following the money trail to disrupt the financial resources supporting organized crime is seen as a critical strategy to dismantle the cartels that profit from fentanyl and other dangerous drugs.

The announcement follows closely on the heels of the appointment of the new fentanyl czar, a strategic action aligned with addressing U.S. President Donald Trump’s concerns over border security, particularly regarding the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

National Implications

This initiative forms part of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s broader intelligence strategy on organized crime, backed by a proposed $200 million in funding. Trump’s tariff threats on Canadian imports, highlighting the ongoing issues of fentanyl trafficking and unauthorized migration across the border, have added urgency to Canada’s response. Earlier this month, Trump threatened to impose substantial tariffs, but he agreed to a 30-day delay while Canada committed to addressing these border-related concerns, including the designation of cartels.

The results of these efforts appear promising, according to McGuinty. He reported that recent data from U.S. border patrol showed a remarkable 97 percent decline in fentanyl seizures originating from Canada since the implementation of the new border strategy.

McGuinty concluded the media event by indicating that further information will be made available regarding the formal designation of cartels as criminal organizations. He noted, “By amending the Criminal Code to classify criminal cartels as terrorist entities, we will significantly enhance law enforcement’s ability to trace illicit financial activities.”

— With files from Global News’ Sean Previl

Source
globalnews.ca