Members of a Montreal-North gang are talking about them in Vancouver, confirms the local police. The criminal group known as “Zone 43” by the authorities is involved in drug trafficking in the west of the country and could be linked to at least two violent events outside Quebec.
“We know of Area 43. Some members of this group have already been arrested by our officers in Vancouver, particularly in the downtown eastside,” said Tania Visintin, media relations for the Vancouver Police Department.
The spokesperson refers to the neighborhood known as the Downtown Eastside.
The territory is home to many homeless people struggling with mental health issues and the use of hard drugs.
An article from Vancouver Sun reported in mid-June that residents of the Downtown Eastside were facing more violent events since members of the Montreal street gang moved into the BC metropolis.
It is about members of the Montreal North street gang seen in the red light districts of Vancouver.
Gun violence
According to information first published in the Vancouver Sun and The Press was able to validate, the street gang of Montreal-North would be linked to at least two recent events of armed violence that occurred in Vancouver, in particular a shooting with two wounded dating from the 1er June which took place in the East Hastings area of downtown. A total of eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the attempted murder, which took place in broad daylight.
Another man was shot and injured on June 11 in the same area late in the evening.
“We cannot divulge details of any investigations or events related to this group,” added Constable Visintin.
The newspaper The Province reported in early June an upsurge in tensions related to the presence of the Montreal North street gang in the Downtown Eastside.
According to a daily report, his presence worries residents who fear tensions with traffickers and drug dealers already present in the area. Vancouver police could not confirm if this was indeed the case at this time.
We know that when a criminal group enters new territory, it can lead to new conflicts or tensions.
Vancouver Police Department
Local authorities confirm that they are dealing with conflicts between gangs throughout the province. “There are a large number of criminal groups involved. We are aware that their presence can be destabilizing and create tension. »
The Vancouver police do not exclude that the Montreal bandits present on their territory have formed alliances on the spot, according to our information.
Montreal North at war
Our police sources identify two groups linked to Area 43 as being particularly active in the last three years: Popteam and Strap Boys Family (SBF). The latter is considered an emerging clique. “Zone 43” or “Sector 43” refers more broadly to the territory of Montreal North.
Remember that street gangs in the Montreal North sector are mired in a violent conflict with their rivals in Rivière-des-Prairies, the Profit Boys.
Several members are currently incarcerated, which could – according to our sources – explain the lull in armed violence in the sector.
Still according to our police sources, the Montreal North sector is showing signs of hostility with the Laval-des-Rapides sector, commonly known as “Zone 2” on the street. The authorities are considering a possible alliance between the gangs of Montreal North and Villeray, an area also involved in a conflict with gangs of red allegiance in Laval.
Overview of the situation
Fraud, rekindled old conflict, desire to protect oneself and ostentatious attitude… The causes of the outbreak of armed violence in recent years are vast, according to a document from the SPVM’s Criminal Intelligence Module consulted by The Press.
There is a proliferation of the demand for firearms in Montreal within the criminal world, we summarize. “Criminal activities have also been cited, for example the fraud of the PCU, as being contributory elements to this ease of access”, writes the sergeant-detective Philippe Rossignol in a public report filed with the Régie des alcools, des courses and games at a hearing last week.
Felt need to provide personal protection, providing protection for another person, and demonstrating force in person and virtually… In a context of conflict and the glorification of firearms, new paradigms have emerged and could explain the proliferation of firearms among young criminals, according to this report.
Personal conflicts and alliances
The criminal intelligence expert also notes a desire for revenge, the result of personal conflicts.
Street gangs continue to identify themselves by the colors blue and red. But these traditional allegiances are no longer at the heart of the conflict. “Although some conflicts may be very short-lived, others persist and even spread to other individuals who were not initially concerned. Finally, despite the many ongoing conflicts, we must not forget that there are several non-traditional alliances between gangs. For example, subjects make bonds in prison, red and blue, ”notes the sergeant-detective.
These alliances are likely to fuel conflict. “Two of the main active conflicts of armed violence that have recently affected the city of Montreal pit groups from Montreal North against groups from Rivière-des-Prairies as well as groups from Laval against groups from Villeray,” summarizes the police officer.