Canadian Groups Urge Ottawa to Tighten Border Security Amid Illicit Trade Concerns

Two Canadian organizations call for stronger border controls to combat drug trafficking, organized crime, and money laundering.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Two Canadian groups, the International Coalition Against Illicit Economies (ICAIE) and the Council of the Great Lakes Region, have urged the Canadian government to strengthen border security in response to growing concerns over drug trafficking, organized crime, and money laundering across the U.S.-Canada border. The groups argue that transnational criminal organizations, including Mexican cartels, Chinese triads, and Iranian networks, are exploiting lax border controls to smuggle drugs, launder illicit proceeds, and engage in other illicit activities.

Why it matters

The report highlights the significant threat that transnational organized crime poses to the security and stability of both Canada and the United States, with the Great Lakes region serving as a major hub for illicit trade and drug trafficking. Strengthening border security is seen as crucial to disrupting these criminal networks and protecting the integrity of the U.S.-Canada economic and trade relationship.

The details

The ICAIE report outlines key players in the illicit trade, including Punjabi gangs involved in drug trafficking, the Hells Angels biker gang controlling domestic drug distribution in Canada, and an Iranian crime network engaged in fentanyl smuggling. The report also identifies the Great Lakes region as a major illicit drug trafficking hub, with an estimated $8 trillion illicit business operating in the area. Smugglers are using a variety of methods, including e-commerce, postal services, and commercial vehicles, to move drugs and other contraband across the border.

  • The ICAIE report was published in February 2026.

The players

International Coalition Against Illicit Economies (ICAIE)

A Canadian organization that has published a report outlining national security threats stemming from illicit trade and organized crime activities across the U.S.-Canada border.

Council of the Great Lakes Region

A Canadian group that has joined the ICAIE in calling for the Canadian government to strengthen border security to combat drug trafficking and other illicit activities.

Mexican cartels

Transnational criminal organizations that are involved in smuggling drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, into Canada from the United States.

Chinese triads

Chinese organized crime syndicates that are known for drug trafficking, extortion, human trafficking, and money laundering, with a significant presence in Vancouver and Toronto.

Iranian crime network

A criminal network that is described as a "silent partner" in fentanyl smuggling operations in Canada.

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What they’re saying

“Canada has become a safe zone for the world's most notorious crime groups and threat networks. It is not merely a consumer of illicit goods and contraband, but increasingly serves as a hub of illicit trade, production and distribution of illicit goods, an exporter of such contraband, and a money laundering safe haven for a potpourri of bad actors and sinister malign networks.”

— David Luna, Executive Director, ICAIE (dailyfly.com)

What’s next

The Canadian government is expected to review the ICAIE report and consider measures to strengthen border security and crack down on transnational organized crime activities.

The takeaway

The report highlights the growing threat that transnational organized crime poses to the security and stability of the U.S.-Canada border region, underscoring the need for enhanced cooperation and coordinated efforts to disrupt these criminal networks and protect the integrity of the shared economic and trade relationship.