Latest news with #Carrique
Vancouver Sun
7 days ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Canada's laws ‘outdated and inadequate' to fight cross-border crime, head of police chiefs group says
VICTORIA — The head of the Canada's police chiefs association says they are guided by 'outdated and inadequate' laws that were never designed to take on the current criminal landscape that no longer respects international borders. Thomas Carrique, president of the Association of Chiefs of Police, said police would have been in a better place to 'disrupt' transnational crime, if the federal government had listened to his group in 2001, when it last proposed legislative changes. 'Across Canada, police are confronting the domestic fallout of international disorder, but we are being asked to do so using tools, and authorities built for a different era, guided by outdated and inadequate legislation that was never designed to address today's criminal landscape,' he said on Tuesday. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Carrique said 'geopolitical instability and social unrest' around the world are driving what he called 'a new wave of public safety threats' as Canadian police confront transnational organized crime, extremism, drug trafficking and exploitation through the internet. 'Whether it's human smuggling as well as illicit exportation and importation of drugs, precursors, and firearms, organized crime groups are taking advantage of systematic blind spots, outdated statues, and digital platforms to victimize Canadians,' he said. While geopolitics and social unrest might be beyond the control of Canadians and their government, their level of preparation and response is not, he said. The current Strong Borders Act legislation proposed by the federal governments gives police many — but not all necessary _ tools to confront globalized crime, he said. The government said the bill would help authorities combat transnational organized crime, stop the flow of fentanyl, crack down on money laundering and bolster police response to criminal networks. Carrique, who's the commissioner of Ontario Provincial Police, made the comments during a news conference in Victoria, where the association is holding its annual conference. He said the federal government's legislation aligns closely with several resolutions the group has passed during the conference this week. Carrique said there are a 'number of loopholes' that must be closed to reflect the realities of 21st century crime, such as the inability of police to get a search warrant for any Canada Post package under 500 grams. 'So, a judge cannot even issue a search warrant for a package of that size that may contain enough fentanyl to kill a number of people.' Carrique also repeated calls for bail reform. 'The federal government has promised a crime bill this fall, introducing tougher bail sentencing provisions,' he said. 'This will be critical.' Victoria Police Chief Del Manak agreed on the need for tougher release conditions. Manak said police made 16 arrests during a two-day-long project to disrupt disorder in the city's downtown core. 'But what was telling was the number of rearrests that we made,' he said. An individual arrested in one block was re-arrested the next day not far from his first arrest following his release on conditions, Manak added. 'What we're really asking for here is the criminal justice system to be strengthened,' Manak said. 'There must be consequences, and a deterrence for those that are carrying out criminal activity every single day,' Manak said. Carrique acknowledged 2024 statistics that show crime rates trending down. The Crime Severity Index, for example, dropped by 4.1 per cent in 2024. 'We attribute that to some amazing work being done by police officers across the country, as well as other social services,' Carrique said. 'But we need to balance that against … the perception of crime, and it doesn't do us any good as police leaders in building trust, and confidence, or legitimacy, when we simply cite statistics to say, 'property crimes are down five per cent, or the homicide rate dropped 10 per cent,' because there are still people being victimized,' he said. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Toronto Sun
7 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Top officer says Canada's laws 'inadequate' to fight cross-border crime
Published Aug 12, 2025 • 3 minute read OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique, shown here in a June 2023 file photo, says police are guided by "outdated and inadequate" laws that were never designed to take on the current criminal landscape that no longer respects international borders. Photo by POSTMEDIA NETWORK FILES VICTORIA — The head of the Canada's police chiefs association says they are guided by 'outdated and inadequate' laws that were never designed to take on the current criminal landscape that no longer respects international borders. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Thomas Carrique, president of the Association of Chiefs of Police, said police would have been in a better place to 'disrupt' transnational crime, if the federal government had listened to his group in 2001, when it last proposed legislative changes. 'Across Canada, police are confronting the domestic fallout of international disorder, but we are being asked to do so using tools, and authorities built for a different era, guided by outdated and inadequate legislation that was never designed to address today's criminal landscape,' he said on Tuesday. Carrique said 'geopolitical instability and social unrest' around the world are driving what he called 'a new wave of public safety threats' as Canadian police confront transnational organized crime, extremism, drug trafficking and exploitation through the internet. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Whether it's human smuggling as well as illicit exportation and importation of drugs, precursors, and firearms, organized crime groups are taking advantage of systematic blind spots, outdated statues, and digital platforms to victimize Canadians,' he said. While geopolitics and social unrest might be beyond the control of Canadians and their government, their level of preparation and response is not, he said. The current Strong Borders Act legislation proposed by the federal governments gives police many — but not all necessary — tools to confront globalized crime, he said. The government said the bill would help authorities combat transnational organized crime, stop the flow of fentanyl, crack down on money laundering and bolster police response to criminal networks. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Carrique, who's the commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, made the comments during a news conference in Victoria, where the association is holding its annual conference. He said the federal government's legislation aligns closely with several resolutions the group has passed during the conference this week. Carrique said there are a 'number of loopholes' that must be closed to reflect the realities of 21st century crime, such as the inability of police to get a search warrant for any Canada Post package under 500 grams. 'So, a judge cannot even issue a search warrant for a package of that size that may contain enough fentanyl to kill a number of people.' Carrique also repeated calls for bail reform. 'The federal government has promised a crime bill this fall, introducing tougher bail sentencing provisions,' he said. 'This will be critical.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Victoria Police Chief Del Manak agreed on the need for tougher release conditions. Manak said police made 16 arrests during a two-day-long project to disrupt disorder in the city's downtown core. 'But what was telling was the number of rearrests that we made,' he said. An individual arrested in one block was re-arrested the next day not far from his first arrest following his release on conditions, Manak added. 'What we're really asking for here is the criminal justice system to be strengthened,' Manak said. 'There must be consequences, and a deterrence for those that are carrying out criminal activity every single day,' Manak said. Carrique acknowledged 2024 statistics that show crime rates trending down. The Crime Severity Index, for example, dropped by 4.1% in 2024. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We attribute that to some amazing work being done by police officers across the country, as well as other social services,' Carrique said. 'But we need to balance that against … the perception of crime, and it doesn't do us any good as police leaders in building trust, and confidence, or legitimacy, when we simply cite statistics to say, 'property crimes are down 5%, or the homicide rate dropped 10%,' because there are still people being victimized,' he said. Read More Toronto & GTA Opinion Toronto Blue Jays Toronto Blue Jays Toronto & GTA
Winnipeg Free Press
7 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Top officer says Canada's laws are ‘inadequate' to fight cross-border crime
VICTORIA – The head of the Canada's police chiefs association says they are guided by 'outdated and inadequate' laws that were never designed to take on the current criminal landscape that no longer respects international borders. Thomas Carrique, president of the Association of Chiefs of Police, says police would have been in a better place to 'disrupt' transnational crime, if the federal government had listened to his group in 2001, when it last proposed such changes. Carrique says 'geopolitical instability and social unrest' around the world are driving what he called 'a new wave of public safety threats' as Canadian police confront transnational organized crime, extremism, drug trafficking and exploitation through the internet. He says the current Strong Borders Act legislation proposed by the federal governments gives police many — but not all necessary — tools to confront globalized crime. The government says the bill would help authorities combat transnational organized crime, stop the flow of fentanyl, crack down on money laundering and bolster police response to criminal networks. Carrique, who's the commissioner of Ontario Provincial Police, says the legislation aligns closely with several resolutions the group has passed during its annual conference being held this week in Victoria, but there are a 'number of loopholes' that must be closed to reflect the realities of 21st century crime. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2025.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Dark web drug bust nets thousands of pills, $400K Ferrari
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say they've dismantled a drug marketplace that operated on the dark web, seizing 27 kilograms of illegal drugs, thousands of dollars in cash and other items including a $400,000 Ferrari. Calling the intelligence-led investigation a first of its kind, OPP launched Project BIONIC in November. The operation was "aimed at dismantling an operation that used a dark web marketplace to ship a high volume of drugs" to numerous locations across Canada, according to an OPP news release issued Tuesday. On March 10, officers from the OPP's organized crime enforcement bureau arrested two suspects at a Canada Post outlet in Ottawa and seized 86 packages "containing various drugs ready to be shipped to addresses across Canada." The same day, officers from various OPP units carried out search warrants at three homes and one vehicle in Ottawa, seizing various amounts of suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine, MDMA, heroin, cocaine and other drugs in various forms. OPP estimate the street value of the seized drugs at $2.5 million. Officers also seized a handgun with an extended magazine, about $95,000 in cash, electronic devices including reprogrammable key fobs, and a 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider "valued at more than $400,000." 2nd raid nets 11 stolen vehicles A subsequent raid on March 27 yielded 11 stolen vehicles including Toyota Highlanders, Sequoias and Tundras, as well as a Lexus RX. OPP estimate the total value of the vehicles at $730,000. Four suspects, all from Ottawa and all in their 20s or early 30s, are facing a combined 85 criminal and drug charges including trafficking, possession and firearm offences. OPP describe the dark web as "a hidden portion of the internet … [that] requires special software to access," and say dark web marketplaces "enable the exchange of various illicit items, including stolen credentials, drugs and hacking tools." In the news release, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique praised the operation for exposing "the alarming volume of dangerous drugs being sold through dark web marketplaces, with packages shipped across the country." The arrests "show that law enforcement can track and stop even the most complex online trafficking operations," and the investigation "plainly demonstrates the connections between drug trafficking and other crimes, such auto theft and illegal firearms," Carrique said. Alongside Project BIONIC, OPP announced the separate Project GOLDEN Tuesday. That southwest Ontario investigation, according to police, took 11 months, brought in a haul including 38 kilograms of suspected fentanyl and led to 140 charges against 15 people.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
OPP seizes 43.5 kg of fentanyl in what police call record-breaking drug bust
Ontario Provincial Police announced Tuesday that it has seized the largest amount of fentanyl in the force's history through two major investigations. Police confiscated approximately 43.5 kilograms of fentanyl through two months-long investigations, Project Bionic and Project Golden, according to an OPP news release. At a news conference in Orillia, Ont., OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said the apprehended fentanyl amount is the equivalent of roughly 435,000 potentially lethal street-level doses. "To put that in perspective, a population of 435,000 would be the fifth-largest urban population centre in the province of Ontario," said Carrique. Carrique said there's "no indication" the fentanyl was destined for the United States or any other country. "I don't want us to be distracted by the narrative of fentanyl going from Canada into the U.S., and take away from the significant public safety concern around fentanyl," said Carrique. Nearly 20 people were arrested between the two investigations, with over 200 combined charges laid, police said. Police said Project Golden, spanned 11 months and involved a multi-jurisdictional drug trafficking network, affecting communities across southwestern Ontario. The investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately 38 kilograms of fentanyl, which provincial police said is OPP's largest fentanyl seizure to date. The estimated street value of the drugs seized is $5.4 million, police said. Police said officers also captured three guns, three vehicles, brass knuckles and more than $121,000. OPP said 15 people from across southern Ontario were arrested in connection with that investigation. They are facing a combined 140 charges. The other investigation, Project Bionic, spanned five months and aimed to dismantle an operation using a so-called "dark web marketplace" to ship drugs across Canada. "This investigation into the use of the dark web for drug trafficking is a first of its kind for the OPP," said Carrique. Police said the investigation revealed that orders would be placed through the dark web marketplace, then packaged and shipped to locations across Canada using various courier services and Canada Post. On March 10, members from OPP's organized crime enforcement bureau arrested two individuals at a postal service location in Ottawa where 86 packages were received containing various illicit drugs ready to be shipped across the country, police said. On the same day, officers also raided three homes and a vehicle, seizing approximately $95,000, a gun and two stolen cars valued at more than $400,000, police said. Officers also seized large quantities of drugs valued at $2.5 million and a number of items used in car thefts. In a second raid later that month, police said they recovered 11 stolen vehicles valued at $730,000. Police said four people from Ottawa were arrested and are facing 85 charges in connection with that investigation.
