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Drug trouble in Canada's paradise Drug trouble in Canada's paradise
(1 day later)
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On site at a former drugs lab in VancouverOn site at a former drugs lab in Vancouver
By Bill Law BBC Radio 4, Crossing ContinentsBy Bill Law BBC Radio 4, Crossing Continents
The west coast Canadian city of Vancouver, home to the 2010 Winter Olympics, is routinely voted one of the best communities in the world to live in, a place people here like to think of as paradise. But there is a dark side to paradise.The west coast Canadian city of Vancouver, home to the 2010 Winter Olympics, is routinely voted one of the best communities in the world to live in, a place people here like to think of as paradise. But there is a dark side to paradise.
Amir knows the appeal of being part of a gang first handAmir knows the appeal of being part of a gang first hand
"Eddie said: 'Pray for me Amir'. That was the last thing he said to me: 'Pray for me.'""Eddie said: 'Pray for me Amir'. That was the last thing he said to me: 'Pray for me.'"
Amir Javid shakes his head at the memory.Amir Javid shakes his head at the memory.
Mr Javid is in his mid 20s. He is casual, handsome, a cool dresser. He is the middle-class kid next door with the winning smile.Mr Javid is in his mid 20s. He is casual, handsome, a cool dresser. He is the middle-class kid next door with the winning smile.
In his teens, though, Mr Javid ran with gangsters. His twin brother was a founding member of Vancouver's notorious Red Scorpions. In his teens, though, Mr Javid ran with gangsters. His twin brother was a founding member of one of Vancouver's most notorious gangs.
Now Mr Javid is working in the schools and on the streets, trying to draw kids away from gangster culture.Now Mr Javid is working in the schools and on the streets, trying to draw kids away from gangster culture.
"My friend was trying to transition out," he recalls. But 22-year-old Eddie Narong did not make it."My friend was trying to transition out," he recalls. But 22-year-old Eddie Narong did not make it.
In the city's organised crime wars, Narong could have been just another statistic, another dead gang member. By the time he died Narong already had a string of convictions and he was facing drug trafficking charges.In the city's organised crime wars, Narong could have been just another statistic, another dead gang member. By the time he died Narong already had a string of convictions and he was facing drug trafficking charges.
The gangs are trying to sustain a foothold in the marketplace. They are willing to adapt quickly Supt Doug Kiloh RCMPThe gangs are trying to sustain a foothold in the marketplace. They are willing to adapt quickly Supt Doug Kiloh RCMP
But his death in late 2007 in a smart block of flats was particularly shocking.But his death in late 2007 in a smart block of flats was particularly shocking.
In all, four young gangsters and two innocent bystanders were ruthlessly murdered in an incident that has come to be known as the Surrey Massacre.In all, four young gangsters and two innocent bystanders were ruthlessly murdered in an incident that has come to be known as the Surrey Massacre.
Had the murders ended there, perhaps Vancouver could have drawn a line under gang violence. But the killings have continued.Had the murders ended there, perhaps Vancouver could have drawn a line under gang violence. But the killings have continued.
MurdersMurders
This year alone the Royal Canadian Mounted Police estimate that there have been at least 30 murders linked to gangs competing for a slice of the hugely profitable illicit drugs trade.This year alone the Royal Canadian Mounted Police estimate that there have been at least 30 murders linked to gangs competing for a slice of the hugely profitable illicit drugs trade.
"The gangs are trying to sustain a foothold in the marketplace. They are willing to adapt quickly, to use violence at any level to meet their needs," says Supt Doug Kiloh of the RCMP."The gangs are trying to sustain a foothold in the marketplace. They are willing to adapt quickly, to use violence at any level to meet their needs," says Supt Doug Kiloh of the RCMP.
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Out with the police gang task forceOut with the police gang task force
The RCMP have identified 133 organised crime gangs in British Columbia, with names like the UN Gang, named because of its multinational make-up. They have rapidly evolved into violent and efficient business machines.The RCMP have identified 133 organised crime gangs in British Columbia, with names like the UN Gang, named because of its multinational make-up. They have rapidly evolved into violent and efficient business machines.
And the gangs are flourishing in part thanks to loopholes in Canadian legislation that allows criminals to legally import what are known as precursors.And the gangs are flourishing in part thanks to loopholes in Canadian legislation that allows criminals to legally import what are known as precursors.
These are raw materials that are mixed with readily available household and industrial chemicals to manufacture synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and ecstasy.These are raw materials that are mixed with readily available household and industrial chemicals to manufacture synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and ecstasy.
"There [the United States] a pound or a gallon of precursor is their threshold to regulate, while here we aren't regulating container loads," says Supt Kiloh."There [the United States] a pound or a gallon of precursor is their threshold to regulate, while here we aren't regulating container loads," says Supt Kiloh.
Stricter policing of precursors in the US, and the Canadian loopholes have opened a new product line for Vancouver's drug industry - one the young gangsters were quick to spot.Stricter policing of precursors in the US, and the Canadian loopholes have opened a new product line for Vancouver's drug industry - one the young gangsters were quick to spot.
The biggest market for synthetic drugs is the US, but the trade is going global. Japan, Australia and Europe are buying made-in-BC ecstasy and crystal meth.The biggest market for synthetic drugs is the US, but the trade is going global. Japan, Australia and Europe are buying made-in-BC ecstasy and crystal meth.
'Clan lab''Clan lab'
The drugs are manufactured in clandestine labs, or "clan labs" - mini pharmaceutical factories often located in ordinary houses, in middle-class neighbourhoods.The drugs are manufactured in clandestine labs, or "clan labs" - mini pharmaceutical factories often located in ordinary houses, in middle-class neighbourhoods.
This suburban house was used to manufacture illegal drugsThis suburban house was used to manufacture illegal drugs
Easily set up, simple to conceal, readily moved, clan labs are hard to detect.Easily set up, simple to conceal, readily moved, clan labs are hard to detect.
Although the police shut down on average 35 to 40 labs each year, they believe many more are operating at any one time.Although the police shut down on average 35 to 40 labs each year, they believe many more are operating at any one time.
As quickly as one is closed down, others open up.As quickly as one is closed down, others open up.
The production of the pills takes just a day or two and the profits are huge. An ecstasy tablet will fetch $10 - $15 Canadian dollars ($9 - $13.5), when it hits the streets.The production of the pills takes just a day or two and the profits are huge. An ecstasy tablet will fetch $10 - $15 Canadian dollars ($9 - $13.5), when it hits the streets.
The cost to make it is less than $1. The labs are capable of churning out tens of thousands of pills at a time.The cost to make it is less than $1. The labs are capable of churning out tens of thousands of pills at a time.
The RCMP hopes new legislation will come in soon and close off the legal importation and transportation of the materials used to make synthetic drugs.The RCMP hopes new legislation will come in soon and close off the legal importation and transportation of the materials used to make synthetic drugs.
And an array of police forces are working together, in ways that they have never done before, arresting gang leaders in unprecedented numbers.And an array of police forces are working together, in ways that they have never done before, arresting gang leaders in unprecedented numbers.
But the pull of the lifestyle, and the fast and easy money, means that kids, often as young as 14, continue to sign on to the gangs.But the pull of the lifestyle, and the fast and easy money, means that kids, often as young as 14, continue to sign on to the gangs.
"We've got the crisp mountain air, we got the ocean and we've got a dirty little secret," says Amir Javid."We've got the crisp mountain air, we got the ocean and we've got a dirty little secret," says Amir Javid.
"We have a bad gang problem which has been lurking under the surface, doing its thing. We have allowed these guys to take control. We are living in a gangster's paradise.""We have a bad gang problem which has been lurking under the surface, doing its thing. We have allowed these guys to take control. We are living in a gangster's paradise."
Crossing Continents: Vancouver is broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Thursday, 3 September 2009 at 1100 BST and repeated on Monday, at 2030 BST.Crossing Continents: Vancouver is broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Thursday, 3 September 2009 at 1100 BST and repeated on Monday, at 2030 BST.
You can also listen to Crossing Continents on the BBC iPlayer or subscribe to the podcast .You can also listen to Crossing Continents on the BBC iPlayer or subscribe to the podcast .