Asian Organized Crime and Terrorist Activity in Canada 1999 2002

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obtain forged documentation for identification and travel. In November 2001, police arrested a
Hamilton, Ontario man suspected of supplying forged documents to Saeed Ahmed Alghamdi,
one of the September 11 hijackers. The man arrested, Gideon Glen McGuire Augier, is a
153
Canadian Report Says Some of $20 Million Hashish Imports Financed Terrorism, The Globe and Mail
[Toronto], July 15, 2002 (FBIS Document FTS20020715000129).
154
Ibid.
155
Sohail Abdul Nasir, Americans Like to Think the War in Afghanistan Is Over, but That Would Be a Serious
Mistake, Turkistan Newsletter, March/April 2003.
36
Library of Congress Federal Research Division Asian Criminal and Terrorist Activity in Canada
convicted fraud artist and suspected member of a forgery ring. The police reportedly examined
documents in the name of Samen Singh that were possibly used by Alghamdi. Augier
acknowledged dealing with Russian organized crime but denied any involvement with al-Qaeda.
Police were actively exploring the possibility that one of Augier s regular contacts was a Russian
organized crime figure with links to al-Qaeda who was assisting in the procurement of forged
documents for the terrorist group.156
Snakeheads and other human traffickers are believed to be active in other criminal
activities. Terrorist organizations could use these Chinese human smuggling syndicates to
provide fake identity document services, although no evidence exists yet of such a trend.157
The Canadian Diamond Industry
With the discovery of vast resources of diamonds in Canada in 1991, the country has
quickly become the world s fifth largest producer of diamonds. Once additional diamond mines
are opened, Canada may become the world s second or third largest diamond producer. A
National Post article in August 2002, which attributes its information to a criminal intelligence
report by the CISC, warns that this emerging uncut diamond industry may be exploited by
terrorist and organized crime groups seeking to finance ventures into illicit drugs, arms
trafficking, and violence. Although no clear indication exists in the open literature of any
criminal or terrorist infiltration of the industry, the article notes the huge potential for illicit
activities that the burgeoning Canadian diamond trade represents, especially under cover of
Canada s sterling reputation in the industry. 158 Taking the opposite position, an RCMP report
notes that the chances of such exploitation are highly unlikely because BHP Billiton Diamonds,
the company in charge of the country s only operational diamond mine in Canada, has put in
place strict measures to ensure security at every stage of diamond processing.159
156
Joan Walters, Criminals Support Terrorists; Organized Crime Provides Forged ID, Hamilton Spectator,
November 2, 2001.
157
Paul J. Smith, The Terrorists and Crime Bosses Behind the Fake Passport Trade, Jane s Intelligence Review,
July 1, 2001.
158
Adrian Humphreys, Criminals May be Casing Canada s Diamond Trade, National Post [Toronto], August 24,
2002, A10.
159
Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Criminal Intelligence Program. Link Between Al-Qaeda and the Diamond
Industry. Ottawa 2002.
37
Library of Congress Federal Research Division Asian Criminal and Terrorist Activity in Canada
CONCLUSION
The United States and Canada share a unique relationship based on democratic ideology
and geographic proximity. These advantages have facilitated the development of a mutually
beneficial partnership between the two countries in the form of international trade, relatively
open borders, and integration between the two societies. Each country is the largest trading
partner of the other. However, the very benefits stemming from this relationship continue to be
exploited by both organized crime and terrorist groups.
Because of inadequate funding and insufficient personnel on both sides of the border, the
U.S.-Canadian border remains relatively porous and can be crossed in many areas without fear of
encountering security personnel. The sheer length of the U.S.-Canadian border, at over 5,500
miles and with vast zones of virtually nonexistent border demarcation, make it unlikely that any
amount of funding can entirely address the border issue. Therefore, Canadian authorities should
emphasize port security and immigration policy as a means of ensuring that Asian organized
crime and terrorist groups cannot enter Canada in the first place. If port security is strengthened
and immigration policy is tightened, the immense problem of border security will become a
secondary issue.
Since September 11, Canada has devoted a great deal of attention to the issues of
immigration and refugee policy, port security, and border security. The relatively short period of
time since September 11 makes it unclear whether the initiatives undertaken will prove
successful. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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