RCMP Confirms Seven International Cartels Actively Operating in Canada

Senior RCMP Official Reveals Cartel Presence

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Chief Superintendent Mathieu Bertrand, who serves as the Director General of the National Serious and Organized Crime Program, has publicly confirmed the active presence of at least seven international cartels within Canada. This revelation was made during an exclusive interview with W5's Avery Haines. Bertrand stated that these cartels are a 'source of a lot of illicit goods coming into Canada' and are 'very much involved in crime impacting Canada'.

Designation as Terrorist Entities

Earlier this year, in February 2025, the Canadian government officially designated these seven transnational criminal organizations as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code. Public Safety Minister David McGuinty announced this measure, emphasizing that their drug trafficking activities pose a significant risk to national security. This designation grants law enforcement agencies, including the RCMP, enhanced powers to freeze assets, prosecute offenses related to financing, travel, and recruitment, and disrupt their operations.

Identified Cartels and Their Origins

The cartels identified as actively operating in Canada and subsequently listed as terrorist entities include:

• La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)
• Cártel del Golfo
• Cártel de Sinaloa
• La Familia Michoacana
• Cárteles Unidos
• Tren de Aragua
• Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG)

These organizations primarily originate from South and Central America, with roots in countries such as Mexico, El Salvador, and Venezuela.

Illicit Activities and Impact on Canada

The cartels are engaged in a wide range of illicit activities, including the production and trafficking of drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl. Canada is increasingly being used as a transshipment point for drugs destined for other international markets, notably New Zealand and Australia, where methamphetamine prices are significantly higher. RCMP intelligence documents from 2023 indicate that Mexican cartels are leveraging Canadian ports for this purpose. Beyond drug operations, these groups are also involved in human smuggling, money laundering, and violent activities, with some even commissioning murders across North America. RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme has also noted evidence of Canadian involvement, with some Canadians moving to Mexico and South America to facilitate drug transport into Canada.

Law Enforcement Response and Recent Disruptions

The RCMP has been actively working to disrupt these transnational criminal operations. Recent successes include the dismantling of what was described as Canada's 'largest, most sophisticated drug superlab' in Falkland, British Columbia, which utilized a methamphetamine production method common among Mexican cartels. In November 2024, federal investigators in Surrey, B.C., arrested three men linked to a Mexican cartel-connected organized crime group involved in cocaine importation, seizing firearms, ammunition, and illicit drugs. These efforts underscore the RCMP's commitment to combating the growing threat posed by international organized crime groups in Canada.