Canada names 7 drug cartels, crime groups as terrorist entities – National [Video]

Canada is listing seven transnational criminal organizations, including multiple drug cartels, as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code, the public safety minister announced on Thursday.

The move was one of the measures the government vowed when U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to a 30-day reprieve from the imposition of sweeping tariffs earlier this month, along with last week’s appointment of a fentanyl czar.

Under the designation, law enforcement such as RCMP and local police will have more authority and powers to “follow the money and to look and see how criminal cartels are using sophisticated laundering tactics.”

“To rid Canada of this scourge, our government will ensure law enforcement has every tool available to dismantle and disrupt the operations of these organizations in our communities,” Public Safety Minister David McGuinty said.

“The measures we are taking will help keep fentanyl off Canadian streets and from entering the United States.”

He said that the named groups “spread fear …