Latest news with #organizedCrime
CTV News
3 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Liberals introduce sweeping border reform bill affecting warrants, large cash transfers
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announces the introduction of a new bill that looks to tighten security at the U.S. border. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has unveiled new legislation that promises to strengthen Canada's borders against organized crime. Department officials providing information on a not-for-attribution basis say Bill C-2, or the Strong Borders Act, has three main themes: fighting organized crime and fentanyl; securing the border; and offering more tools to fight financial crime. The legislation, which is not yet law, also proposes changes to what law enforcement can do without a warrant. The background document says it would 'clarify the ability of law enforcement to exercise specific powers and seize specific information without a warrant in urgent, time-sensitive circumstances.' An example given is the 'live abuse' of a child. With regards to searches, it would also amend the Canada Post Corporation Act to remove barriers preventing police from searching the mail, where authorized to do so, to advance a criminal investigation. The bill also allows Canada Post's inspection authority to open mail. To combat money laundering and financing terror, there are new restrictions imposed on cash transactions over $10,000 and cash deposits by one person into someone else's account. Department officials say those changes won't impact law-abiding Canadians who use electronic payment platforms, credit cards or cheques, since it won't apply to 'deposit-taking institutions,' such as banks. The sweeping legislation requires changes across a number of departments, including Public Safety and the Canada Border Services Agency. Changes at the border The bill proposes new rules allowing border officers to enter and examine premises under the control of transporters and warehouse operators. It would also allow the Canadian Coast Guard to conduct 'security patrols' and to 'analyse and disseminate information and intelligence for security purposes.' Those changes would work in tandem with existing changes to border enforcement, including round-the-clock helicopter, drone and watchtower surveillance of the border. The government previously pledged $1.3 billion to update its border enforcement regime. The bill also introduces reforms to Canada's immigration processes. A news release says the bill will 'strengthen authorities to cancel, suspend or change immigration documents, and to cancel, suspend or stop accepting new applications.' Asylum claims made by people more than one year after first arriving in Canada after June 24, 2020 would not be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board, which is responsible for making decisions on refugee claims. People who enter Canada from the United States on foot between ports of entry would have just 14 days to file an asylum claim. People who are affected by those ineligibility rules can apply for a 'pre-removal risk assessment' to make sure they're not sent back to a country where they could face harm. Canada politics news: Liberals unveil border security bill Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree speaks in the Foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld (Adrian Wyld) Other measures were proposed to make the asylum system 'more efficient.' In an effort to 'speed up' voluntary departures, removal orders would be made effective the same day a claim is withdrawn. 'Vulnerable claimants,' such as minors and those who may not understand the process, would be assigned support representatives. Inactive asylum cases would be removed from the system. A gift to the U.S.? Border security has been a sticking point between Canada and the United States for months. U.S. President Donald Trump said he was trying to spur Canada to do more against drug trafficking when he imposed tariffs against this country. 'Canadians and Americans have a shared interest when it comes to our border,' Anandasangaree said during a news conference on Tuesday. He said he would share elements of the bill with Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, during a meeting later today. The White House declared a national emergency soon after Trump's inauguration, claiming in part that Canada failed 'to do more to arrest, seize, detain, or otherwise intercept (drug trafficking organizations), other drug and human traffickers, criminals at large, and drugs.' He later imposed 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods and a 10 per cent levy on potash and energy products, citing border security as the reason behind them. The fees only apply to goods that fall outside of the two countries' free trade agreement. A federal court struck those tariffs down last week, arguing they don't appropriately respond to the threat. The Trump administration quickly appealed the ruling, and a judge later reinstated the fees. The White House has pledged to bring its case to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.
Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The Iranian tax haven where Kinahan Cartel mobsters could relocate after one of Ireland's 'most wanted' is extradited from Dubai
Boasting glittering shopping malls, generous tax breaks and miles of sandy beaches, it's a Middle Eastern hotspot designed to tempt high-spending visitors. While this might sound like a description of Dubai, it equally applies to Kish Island - the Iranian territory being touted as a potential new base for the Kinahan cartel. The Irish mobsters r elocated to Dubai in the mid-2010s, taking advantage of the lack of an extradition agreement between the United Arab Emirates and the EU. They are now believed to be planning a move after their alleged senior associate, Sean McGovern, became the first person to be extradited from the UAE to Ireland after a treaty was finally ratified. Considered one of the world's most powerful organised crime gangs, the Kinahans are thought to have extensive connections with terrorist groups and rogue regimes in the Middle East, including Iran and its client militia, Hezbollah. Given it is part of Iran, relocating to Kish Island would put the gang under the protection of the Islamic Republic, which refuses to cooperate with Western authorities. But, unlike the strict sharia regime enforced on the mainland, Kish's status as a free-trade zone means it has more relaxed rules as well as a thriving hospitality scene. Even so, this is hedonism with an Iranian twist – given alcohol is still prohibited, and women can only wear bikinis on one female-only beach surrounded by 10ft-high walls. Dubai has long served as a sanctuary for the Kinahans, with the Dublin-born gang running their global drug-smuggling, arms-running, extortion and money laundering empire from the city with the tacit support of its ruling elite. Founded by Christopher Kinahan, known as Christy, the cartel's day-to-day operations are now believed to be in the hands of his son, Daniel, who famously wed his wife Caoimhe Robinson during a lavish ceremony at Dubai's £1,000-a-night Burj Al Arab hotel. Much of their money is in property, with records suggesting Ms Robinson has defied international sanctions to sell a significant amount of Dubai real estate, including a £4.3million mansion and a £10million luxury villa overlooking a golf course. The Kinahans have also been able to invest in cryptocurrency, the gold trade – for which Dubai is an international centre – and have an estimated €1.5billion (£1.26bn) in offshore bank accounts. But their cosy setup was rocked by Sean McGovern's extradition last week, with the 39-year-old taken to Dublin via military aircraft and charged with murder and other serious offences. He is accused of being one of the most senior members of the Kinahan cartel and is wanted over the murder of Noel Kirwan, an innocent man who was shot in Dublin in 2016 amid a feud between the Kinahan and Hutch crime families. And with Ireland's director of public prosecutions now considering whether to bring similar charges against Christy and Daniel Kinahan, the pair will be wondering if they could be next. Europe's intelligence services believe McGovern's extradition will almost certainly prompt the Kinahans to relocate to another jurisdiction where they will be spared the threat of extradition, according to The Times. Alongside Kish Island, other possible destinations include Russia or a country in Central Asia. Kish has long been touted as a duty-free shopping and entertainment hub, with numerous malls and luxury resort hotels alongside white sandy beaches, coral reefs and ancient sites. The island's potential was first spotted by the last Shah of Iran, who ordered the construction of a casino there in the 1970s, and for a time it was even served by direct Concorde flights from Paris. It was once the fourth most-visited vacation destination in Southwest Asia after Dubai, the UAE and Sharm el-Sheikh. In 2010, it was ranked among the world's 10 most beautiful islands by The New York Times. The Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to Iran, but one site previously visited by tourists was the 'underground' city of Kariz-e-Kish, a maze of walled passages and clear openings stretching more than five miles. Another tourist attraction is the wreck of the Koula F, a Scottish-built steamship that ran aground in 1966. While Iran's increasing isolation has long driven Western tourists away, it still attracts Iranians and a smattering of Russians. In total, the island - which has a population of 40,000 - is said to welcome around one million visitors a year. Last year, Christy Kinahan was named as the author behind hundreds of Google reviews, many of which commented on the quality of food and service at restaurants, cafes and luxury hotels. And he will find plenty of places to eat out on Kish, with the best reviewed restaurant on TripAdvisor, the Koohe Noor, described as offering a 'unique cave-inspired ambiance' and traditional Persian meals including kebabs, stews, and fresh seafood. The Kinahans appear to have business connections to Kish too, with the US Drug Enforcement Agency last year naming the island as one of the places they had used to launder money. But even if they do decide they want to go there, it is far from a given that they will be able to do so. In the event of Ireland requesting an Interpol red notice for the Kinahans, they risk being immediately detained by the Dubai authorities. And given the UAE tracks non-citizens using an advanced biometric system, including retinal and iris scanning, it is thought to be almost impossible to leave the country using a fake identity. All foreign citizens must undergo biometric registration to stay in Dubai. Christy himself shared a Google review of his 2021 visit to the Department of Economic Development in Dubai to renew his residency card. 'Based on my experience whilst visiting this office, I rate this visit five star,' he posted. With access to yachts and private jets, the Kinahans could feasibly seek to escape via an unauthorised sea or land route, but this would be risky. McGovern's arrest and extradition is the latest blow to the Kinahans following the successful prosecution of their UK chief, Thomas 'Bomber' Kavanagh. Kavanagh was originally handed a 21-year jail term in 2022. He was given another six years in 2024 for amassing a stash of firearms before sharing their location with police in the hope of securing a softer sentence. Meanwhile, alleged Kinahan money launderer Johnny Morrissey was arrested by police on the Costa del Sol in September 2022 and accused by prosecutors of washing over €200million of drug money. But he went on to be freed on €60,000 bail after the authorities failed to produce enough evidence to charge him. The US State Department offered a $5million bounty for information on Christy Kinahan, Daniel Kinahan or Christy Kinahan Junior. And with the net now tightening on the family's Dubai bolthole, their future looks far from certain.
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
Liberals introduce sweeping border reform bill affecting warrants, large cash transfers
Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree arrives for a meeting of the federal cabinet in West Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has unveiled the Strong Borders Act, promising to strengthen Canada's borders against organized crime. Department officials providing information on a not-for-attribution basis say Bill C-2 has three main themes - fighting organized crime and fentanyl, securing the border and offering more tools to fight financial crime. The legislation also proposes changes to what law enforcement can do without a warrant. The background document says it would 'clarify the ability of law enforcement to exercise specific powers and seize specific information without a warrant in urgent, time-sensitive circumstances.' An example given is the 'live abuse' of a child. To combat money laundering and financing terror, there are new restrictions being imposed on large cash transactions over $10,000 and large cash deposits. Department officials say those changes won't impact the vast majority of law-abiding Canadians using cash for large purchases like buying homes, since it won't apply to 'deposit-taking institutions' like banks. The sweeping legislation requires changes across a number of departments, including Public Safety and the Canadian Border Services Agency. More details to come.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Nine phones AN HOUR were reported stolen in Sadiq Khan's London last year costing £50million... with more than half of devices ending up in Algeria and China
Around 80,000 smartphones were reported stolen in London last year - a staggering nine an hour - at a cost of £50million, top police officers told MPs today. As they outlined the 'organised criminal enterprise' they were grappling with, senior Scotland Yard bosses admitted there was a 'growing and very serious problem'. They revealed how three-quarters of stolen devices in the capital are sent abroad, with vast numbers ending up in both Algeria and China. Appearing before a House of Commons committee, the Metropolitan Police officers said the black market for smartphones was driving rates of theft, robbery and knife crime. It was even seeing those criminals who were once involved in drug crime pivoting towards smartphone theft and robbery as an alternative means of illicit income. The officers warned that gangs of teenagers on bikes were committing 10 to 20 thefts at a time in some parts of London. Their stark admission about the extent of the problem will pile fresh pressure on London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, who is responsible for policing in the capital. The Labour politician - who has also recently been challenged over fare-dodgers on the London Underground - previously said he was 'determined to eliminate the scourge of mobile phone theft'. Speaking to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee this morning, Darren Scates - the Met Police's chief digital, data and technology officer - set out the scale of the problem. 'This is an organised criminal enterprise that we're dealing with, it's an international enterprise although... it is particularly acute in London,' he told MPs. 'We do see those similar numbers in Madrid, Paris, Barcelona - certainly on a per capita basis they suffer very similarly to London. 'In London, in 2024, unfortunately about 80,000 smartphones were reported as stolen. 'That compares to 2023 when the number was 64,000, so we have a growing and very serious problem that we're dealing with. 'Stolen devices are changing hands on the streets for between £300-400.' He told MPs that 80 per cent of devices that are reported stolen to the Met Police are Apple devices. 'So we believe they are probably being targeted for their value and/or there is a greater incentive maybe to report an Apple device as stolen, because they tend to be a high-value item,' he added. 'We have done some research into what happens to these devices, as you would expect. What we find is about 75 per cent of them, we believe, are actually moved abroad. 'The prime locations at the moment - and this will vary I'm sure - will be Algeria and China/Hong Kong. About 28 per cent go to each of those two locations.' James Conway, the Met Police's lead on phone theft, said the scale of phone theft in London last year had a street value of around £20million. But the replacement value of stolen phones for members of the public and insurance companies was estimated at £50million last year. 'Around half of the robberies in London are mobile it's driving our robbery problem,' he added. 'Around two-thirds of our thefts in London relate to mobile phones, so this is also driving our theft problem. 'But then, if you take a step deeper, 65 to 70 per cent of our knife crime is produced by our robbery problem. 'So this is also driving a significant chunk of our violence challenge in London and across the UK.' DCS Conway said Scotland Yard and other large metropolitan forces had placed a 'sharp focus' on phone theft for a couple of years. 'In recent months we have seen a decline,' he continued. 'In the first couple of months of this financial year [there has been] around a 50 per cent reduction in theft. 'And around a 13 per cent reduction in robbery when we compare to the opening months of the previous financial year.' He also described how the capital's criminal gangs had moved towards phone theft in recent years. 'In my previous role I led for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets,' DCS Conway told the committee. 'And we would regularly see criminal gangs who maybe a few years ago would have been involved in drug dealing almost exclusively pivot back into mobile phone theft and robbery. 'Teenagers on bikes riding down the A10 corridor committing 10-20 robberies or thefts on the go, packaging those phones very swiftly into silver foil or to Faraday bags to make it more difficult for us to identify their ultimate location. 'And then swifly passing them on to a middle market handler and ultimately the transport out of the UK.'
New York Times
4 days ago
- General
- New York Times
Corrections: June 1, 2025
A picture caption with an article on Friday about concerns that organized crime could exert its influence in Mexico's judicial elections misidentified the building shown near a street protest in Mexico City. It is the Palacio de Bellas Artes, not the Senate building. An article on May 18 about Rubik's Cube misspelled the surname of an actor. He is Jim Carrey, not Carey. Errors are corrected during the press run whenever possible, so some errors noted here may not have appeared in all editions. To contact the newsroom regarding correction requests, please email nytnews@ To share feedback, please visit Comments on opinion articles may be emailed to letters@ For newspaper delivery questions: 1-800-NYTIMES (1-800-698-4637) or email customercare@
