Canada Confirms Tren de Aragua, Sinaloa Cartel Among Criminal Organizations Active Within Its Borders

Canadian authorities have confirmed that Tren de Aragua, the infamous Venezuelan criminal organization with operations across Latin America and the United States, is among seven international cartels currently active in the country.

In an interview with CTV's investigative program W5, a senior law enforcement official said the country has become a logistical hub for multiple transnational crime groups. "We are aware that they [cartels] are a source of a lot of the illicit goods coming into Canada," said Mathieu Bertrand, Director General of the National Serious and Organized Crime Program. "These organized crime groups, whether they be in Canada or abroad, are using Canada as a trans-shipment point. Those groups are very much involved in crime impacting Canada."

Bertrand confirmed to CTV that at least seven major cartels are operating in Canada: La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Cártel del Golfo, Cártel de Sinaloa, La Familia Michoacana, Cárteles Unidos, Tren de Aragua, and Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación. When asked if each of them maintains a presence in the country, he replied, "yes."

According to the report, these groups are using Canadian ports to ship methamphetamine to markets such as Australia and New Zealand, where the drug sells for up to $300,000 per kilogram. Intelligence obtained by CTV News and by the International Journalism Foundation (IJF) indicates that Canada has become the leading exporter of methamphetamine to New Zealand, with more than 1,200 kilograms seized between 2020 and 2024 — an estimated street value of $350 million.

"These organized crime groups are Fortune 500 companies," Bertrand said. "They study the market just like we do. They know there are vulnerabilities in certain countries."

In February, the Government of Canada officially designated the same seven cartels as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code, granting authorities expanded powers to freeze assets and prosecute related offences. "Their drug trafficking activities are a risk to our national security and must be stopped using all tools available," Public Safety Minister David J. McGuinty said in a statement announcing the measure at the time.

The government said the listings reflect Canada's broader effort to combat transnational organized crime and its role in fentanyl production and distribution. "Transnational crime cartels profit off the suffering caused by fentanyl and illegal guns they push into our communities," McGuinty added. "We have cracked down on their labs and trafficking networks. Now we are going after their money."

Canadian officials said additional reviews are underway to determine whether other groups should be added to the terrorist list as enforcement agencies expand operations targeting organized crime and money laundering.