Vancouver Olympics – Pre-Olympic Competition Is Potent

The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) selection of Vancouver to host the 2010 Winter Olympics came with high hopes and expectations.  The beautiful port city, the picturesque bay, and the majestic mountains were strong selling points in Canada’s quest to peddle this city to the IOC. 

 

Ever since the IOC’s approval in 2003, the ever-burgeoning Vancouver has stoked the world’s attention. Many outsiders have since descended upon this metropolis to jump on this bandwagon, and even seize wealth opportunities. Little did the IOC know, however, that Vancouver would erupt into an international drug hub where machine gun wielding cartel militia compete for  lucrative market share and control of fertile turf.

 

The drug culture in this city has always been embraced. Maybe its Vancouver’s enchanting location – nestled along the water with a backdrop of mountains.  Maybe it’s Canada’s liberalism that encourages personal freedom.  Or maybe it’s the traditionally relaxed penalties for drug-related crimes.  

 

In any case, pot shops and cafes welcome all.  Smoking a joint in downtown “Vansterdam” may only prompt a policema’s warning, and a squashed roach on the sidewalk.  In the nearby rural suburbs, hundreds of “grow-ops” have sprouted. These backyards and land parcels, where the world-renowned “BC Bud” is cultivated to its highest potency, hardly have raised a Mountie's eyebrow.

 

Let the Competition Begin

 

During the last several years, the number of gangs has increased tenfold, by some estimates.  Within Vancouver, over 100 gangs now fight for dominance in a $6 billion industry that far exceeds the $2 billion Vancouver Games budget.  In exchange for “BC Bud”, imported cocaine and heroin is traded by cartels lead by drug lords from Mexico, Columbia, and Asia. 

 

Amidst Vancouver streets (particularly on the east side), sergeants direct soldiers to nab control of city blocks away from other gangs, thereby accelerating violence.  These gang-on-gang conflicts, where Uzis and Desert Eagles reverb through neighborhoods and shopping centers, has not only alarmed city and Olympic officials, but the ever-watchful and drug-conscious IOC as well.  Jim Chu, Vancouver’s chief police counsel said, “Let’s get serious. There is a gang war and it’s brutal.” [“Ahead of Olympics, Brutal Gang War Rattles Vancouver”, Tribune Newspapers, 7/5/09.]

 

Officiating Rules

 

Robert Gordon, a criminologist at Simon Fraser University (in nearby Burnaby, B.C.) said “Attempts at creating an agency to curb the gangs have repeatedly failed. Two such agencies have disbanded since 1998 because of conflicts among participating police forces.” [“British Columbia or Columbia”, The Economist, 5/28/09)

 

Fortunately, however, both local and national governments have recently passed laws to combat this violence and crime.  Earlier this year, Canada passed Bill C-15 that cracks-down on drug offenders. In a recent press release (July 22), Canada’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, said, “If you produce and traffic illegal drugs, and if you threaten the security of Canada’s communities, you will serve jail time.”  And regionally, Vancouver has authorized the hiring of policemen and Mounties from its local ranks, and the recruiting of many from other provinces.   Further legislation is in the works to further increase penalties for crimes, ban certain types of guns, and outlaw armored cars that protect cartel members from rivals.

 

With the Games just seven months away, these government actions are expected to quell anxiety and fear for the locals and the visitors alike. The increased police presence will certainly deter any crime from the downtown areas, and around the venues.   And, as in past Olympics, the U.S. FBI, DEA, and DHS will be key players.  At least we can partner with Canada in this way, because on the ice or snow in February, it’s game on.