Conference Objective To inform, train, and share information on gangs and organized crime-related violence, trends and investigative techniques.
Who Should Attend • Sworn Law Enforcement personnel (front line members, investigators, supervisors, and managers) • Analysts • Prosecutors • Civilian staff of law enforcement agencies
Monday, March 23, 2020
17:00-19:00 Onsite Registration (BC Foyer)
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
07:00 Onsite Registration (BC Foyer)
07:00-08:15 Continental Breakfast (Vancouver Island)
07:00-17:00 Exhibit Show (BC Foyer)
08:15-17:00 Plenary Sessions (BC Ballroom)
08:15-08:30
Opening Remarks
Updated on March 4, 2020
SESSION 1 08:30-09:30
Case Study – Bolo Program – Unique Tools To Catch Canada’s Most Wanted
Description On December 1, 2019, Canadian murder suspect Brandon Teixeira was apprehended in Oroville, California, following a year-long hunt led by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) and Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC (CFSEU-BC). Given the tangible threat that Teixeira posed to the public, and the complexity of this fugitive investigation, IHIT and CFSEU-BC partnered with the Bolo Program, a Canadian public safety initiative encouraging citizens to be on the lookout for Canada’s most wanted suspects. In close cooperation with IHIT and CFSEU-BC investigators, the Bolo Program conducted an amplification campaign of the Teixeira wanted notice which generated millions of media, billboard and Facebook impressions, as well as over 100 tips. In cooperation with Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers, the Bolo Program also offered a reward up to CAD $50,000 for any information leading to the arrest of the suspect.
SESSION 2 09:30-10:30
Case Study – PROJECT ENTRY
Description PROJECT ENTRY was a joint investigation between Edmonton ALERT and Edmonton FSOC that began in March 2017 targeting a cocaine distribution network in Norther Alberta linked to a member of the Hells Angels and members of the Dirty Few MC, a Hells Angels' Support Club. Project Entry was over a year-long investigation that resulted in 11 people charged with charges that included: cocaine trafficking, conspiracy to traffic, firearm trafficking, and participate in and instruct criminal organization charges. This Project involved two Part VI applications in conjunction with an undercover operation.
10:30-11:00 Network Break (BC Foyer)
SESSION 3 11:00-12:00
Illicit Firearms & Prohibited Device Manufacturing Trends within Canada
Description This presentation will elevate the conference attendee's level of knowledge regarding the illicit manufacturing and trafficking of firearms and prohibited devices, commonly utilized by organized crime elements within Canada. Topics will include Polymer 80 and both moulded & unfinished AR-15 receivers, Airsoft conversions, 3-D printed firearms and
Updated on March 4, 2020
prohibited devices "Solvent Traps" and unfinished suppressors, along with a brief history, legal issues and enforcement challenges concerning these items.
12:00-13:00 Lunch (Vancouver Island)
SESSION 4 13:00-14:30
Case Study – PROJECT SABOTAGE 2017
Description PROJECT SABOTAGE was a 2017 Ottawa Police Service led firearms trafficking project. The cornerstone of the investigation was a police agent in this level of criminality. Traditional investigative techniques such as mobile surveillance, one-party consent Part VI (video and audio) and CISO UCO were also successfully utilized. The seven month covert operation ultimately led to the purchase or seizure of 24 crime guns, the purchase or seizure of 1 pound of cocaine, Fentanyl patches and a host of other pill formed narcotics. The investigation revealed an individual that was manufacturing firearms and pipe bombs. The investigation also resulted in the arrest of a prospect member of the Red Devils OMG, a Hells Angels support club in Ottawa. Fifteen individuals were charged as a result of the investigation and in excess of 300+ CC and CDSA charges laid.
14:30-15:00 Network Break (BC Foyer)
SESSION 5 15:00-17:00
Keynote - Trans-National Organized Crime & their influence in the Western Hemisphere
Description Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) poses a significant and growing threat to the health, safety, and security of communities in the Western Hemisphere. Some of these TOC networks are responsible for the current opioid epidemic and related fatalities given their role in cultivating, producing, and transporting heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana into North America. Other TOCs are involved in extortion and robbery, money laundering, and bulk cash smuggling. The DEA employs a multifaceted approach to target TOC networks and SAC Donovan will discuss the Drug Enforcement Administration efforts to identify, disrupt, and dismantle these organizations and how DEA leverages law enforcement relationships and other partnerships domestically and abroad to combat these organized crime groups.
Updated on March 4, 2020
17:00
Closing Remarks
17:00-18:30 Delegate Reception (The Roof – 15th floor)
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
07:00-08:00 Continental Breakfast (Vancouver Island)
07:00-15:00 Exhibit Show (BC Foyer)
08:00-17:00 Plenary Sessions (BC Ballroom)
08:00-08:05
Opening Remarks
SESSION 6 08:05-09:00
Case Study – CFSEU-BC Crime Guns Intelligence & Investigations Group
Description The timely analysis of seized firearms has presented challenges to police for years. CFSEU- BC has started a Crime Guns Intelligence & Investigations Group that will involve a brand new testing lab, intelligence sharing focus, and a focus on supporting investigations with quick turnarounds on information related to seized firearms. The presentation will highlight the steps taken to initiate the lab and related components from concept to reality and give a brief overview of some recent intelligence connected to crime guns.
SESSION 7 09:00-10:00
Case Study – PROJECT PRÉMÉDITER
Description Project Préméditer was a multiple homicide case involving the Italian Mafia in Montréal. Beginning in January 2019 with the homicides, the investigation lasted until October 2019 and the confessions of the accused. The investigation solved four homicides, involved an undercover agent, and resulted in the seizure of 30 firearms, explosives, grenades.
Updated on March 4, 2020
10:00-10:30 Network Break (BC Foyer)
SESSION 8 10:30-12:00
The Evolution of International Financial Fraud and Money Laundering Schemes
Description The evolution of international fraud and money laundering schemes will be discussed, best practices for investigating a case with an international nexus will be conveyed, and a summary of recently successful prosecutions will be presented.
12:00-13:00 Lunch (Vancouver Island)
SESSION 9 13:00-14:30
Case Study – PROJECT SINDACATO
Description Project Sindacato was a two year investigation into the Figliomeni Crime Group in Vaughan Ontario. This group had strong ties to the Siderno Group of Crime in Italy, more specifically the Ndrangheta. Partnerships were created with several police services and the Canada Revenue Agency. An 18 month Part VI operation lead to the arrest of 10 key members of the organization and their part in illegal gaming, money laundering and loan sharking. In excess of 35 million dollars of property was restrained and seized during the take-down operation. An unexpected allegiance was made with Italian authorities who were active on a parallel investigation. Extensive information sharing lead to the coordinated take-down in two countries.
14:30-15:00 Network Break (BC Foyer)
SESSION 10 15:00-17:00
FBI Transnational Gang Investigations
Description The FBI's Safe Streets and Gang Program oversees all FBI domestic and international gang matters investigated by its 172 domestic task forces, to include neighborhood based gangs, national gangs, and transnational gangs. This includes the Transnational Anti-Gang Units in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. This presentation will discuss the FBI's transnational gang program, to include MS-13, and its impact in Central America and North America. It
Updated on March 4, 2020
will also discuss the FBI's Safe Streets Task Force model and the challenges, benefits, and successes of working in multi-agency task forces to combat organized crime.
17:00
Closing Remarks
Thursday, March 26, 2020
07:00-08:30 Breakfast (Vancouver Island)
08:30-12:00 Plenary Sessions (BC Ballroom)
08:25-08:30
Opening Remarks
SESSION 11 08:30-10:00
Case Study – Fort Worth Mongols MC National Run
Description The Mongols “Coming Out” Rally was held in Fort Worth, TX, in September of 2018 and was a national run to announce the Mongols presence in the state of Texas. The Fort Worth Gang Unit was responsible for the police response for this event. During the 4 weeks between the first notice of the planned motorcycle rally and the arrival of Mongols MC members from around the country, the Fort Worth Gang Unit implemented training into street level investigations, had to sell a “gang plan” to the chain of command, and build a team to combat the Mongols MC members including outside agencies.
This presentation will look at each of those topics individually as well as the day to day operations for the 3 days of the rally. After the rally was over and the Mongols MC members had left Fort Worth, a booklet of intelligence was put together and distributed to law enforcement throughout the US for intelligence sharing purposes with other agencies.
10:00-10:15 Network Break (BC Foyer)
SESSION 12 10:15-12:00
Updated on March 4, 2020
Case Study – CFSEU-BC Project E-Protégé
Description The CFSEU-BC’s Project EPROTEGE started after a full patch Hells Angels member was murdered by an 856 gang member. The project was a multi-jurisdictional investigation involving a police agent, undercover operators and 13 months of intercepting private communications. Join us as we discuss some of the challenges, outcomes and the complete dismantling of the group formerly known as the 856, a criminal group that, at its height, spanned all of western, central and northern Canada.
12:00
Closing Remarks
Updated on March 4, 2020