Quebec is experiencing a surge in violence due to escalating conflicts between criminal gangs, particularly the Blood Family Mafia and the Hells Angels, vying for control of the drug market. Youth are increasingly drawn into this dangerous environment, with minors being recruited via social media. Critics highlight that lenient Youth Court sentences fail to deter young offenders, while gangs exploit social media to amplify their violent reputations. Experts warn that without intervention, the situation is likely to deteriorate further.
Escalating Violence in Quebec: A Criminal War
This year, Quebec has witnessed an alarming rise in violence, with criminal fires, kidnappings, imprisonments, and episodes of torture making headlines. The ongoing war between rival criminal gangs, notably the Blood Family Mafia (BFM) and the Hells Angels, has intensified as they vie for dominance in the drug trade. Criminologist Maria Mourani describes 2024 as a critical juncture in this escalating conflict.
According to former investigator Roger Ferland, tensions have been building for the past two years. “We anticipated this eruption,” he states, characterizing it as a rebellion against the current system. In a surprising shift, the Hells Angels have shown a willingness to relinquish some of their drug territories in Montreal and Quebec City—a rare occurrence in the last quarter-century.
The Impact of Youth Involvement in Organized Crime
The year has also seen a disturbing trend of youth becoming victims and participants in this violent landscape. Mourani highlights the increasing recruitment of minors by criminal organizations, particularly through social media platforms. This year alone, a 19-year-old suffered severe burns after being involved in a fire set during a confrontation with the BFM, highlighting the grave risks facing young people drawn into this world.
Critics, including former investigator Ferland, argue that the leniency of Youth Court sentences fails to deter young offenders. “The consequences of their actions are no longer substantial,” he asserts, lamenting that law enforcement efforts seem futile in the face of this growing issue.
Moreover, social media has become a tool for criminal gangs to showcase their violent acts, further amplifying their notoriety. The use of platforms to film and disseminate videos of torture and violence serves to bolster their ‘symbolic capital’ in the criminal underworld, according to Mourani.
As the criminal landscape continues to evolve, the toll of violence in Quebec shows no signs of abating, with experts warning that the situation may worsen in the coming years if proactive measures are not taken.