MORE LISTS OF WANTED CRIMINALS COMING

The Toronto Sun reports that the government intends to issue more lists of wanted criminals, building on the high capture ratio and success of the war criminals list. Since the capture rate has been so high, this seems like a very efficient use of scant resources by CBSA. Keep in mind that those in the list have been either convicted in Canada or abroad of very serious and often violent offences.

Ottawa plans wanted list for immigration offenders Toronto & GTA News Toronto Sun


Ottawa plans wanted list for immigration offenders

By Tom Godfrey ,Toronto Sun

First posted: Monday, August 8, 2011 7:14:17 EDT PM

TORONTO - Some 1,400 foreign criminals hiding in the Toronto-area are being targeted for arrest and deportation with the public’s help following the success of a manhunt for accused war criminals.

The mugshots, age and countries of origin of some of the worst immigration offenders, who are sought on deportation warrants for lengthy or violent criminal records, are being posted online with a toll-free number for the public to call, officials of the Public Safety Ministry said Monday.

Tough action by Ottawa to identify and seek the public’s help in locating some of the worst criminals in the GTA can begin as early as this week, officials said.

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews is behind the idea following the arrest of seven suspected war criminals from a Most Wanted list of 30 hunted by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

“The minister is very encouraged by the results,” Toews’ spokesman Michael Patton said. “Other options are being pursued.”

The identities of the suspects were made public after two weeks of prodding by Sun Media.

Two of the suspects have since been removed from Canada. One man was already in custody in the U.S.

Most arrived in Canada as refugee claimants and went underground.

Hundreds of the foreign crooks, who were born abroad and never obtained status in Canada, are being tossed out for racking up extensive criminal records, including violence.

Leads have dried up in the cases and they hope the public may have some tips that can lead to arrests, CBSA officials said.

Many of the suspects never showed up for hearings and warrants were issued for their arrests.

They included cop shooter Clinton Gayle, an illegal immigrant from Jamaica, who was jailed for life for killing Toronto Police Const. Todd Bayliss on June 1994.

Officers are also hunting for about 20,000 offenders who skipped out after breaking immigration laws.

Retired Toronto Police Staff-Supt. Gary Grant, who heads up CrimeStoppers, said his agency will link its website to the CBSA’s Most Wanted once the suspects are made public.

“People can call us anonymously if they know where any of the suspects are,” Grant said on Monday. “We will make sure the proper authorities receive the information.”

Tipsters don’t have to attend court and can be eligible for a reward, he said.