Seventeen Arrested on Anti-Terrorism Charges

TORONTO, ON – June 3, 2006 – On Friday, June 2, 2006, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and partners of the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team arrested 17 individuals and charged them under Section 83 of the Criminal Code of Canada.

“This group took steps to acquire three tonnes of ammonium nitrate and other components necessary to create explosive devices,” said Assistant Commissioner Mike McDonell. “To put this in context, the 1995 bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City that killed 168 people took one tonne of ammonium nitrate.”

Arrested and charged with offences under the Criminal Code of Canada are:

1. Fahim Ahmad, 21, of Robinstone Drive, Toronto, Ontario;
2. Zakaria Amara, 20, of Periwinkle Crescent, Mississauga, Ontario;
3. Asad Ansari, 21, of Rosehurst Drive, Mississauga, Ontario;
4. Shareef Abdelhaleen, 30, of Lowville Heights, Mississauga, Ontario;
5. Qayyum Abdul Jamal, 43, of Montevideo Road, Mississauga, Ontario;
6. Mohammed Dirie, 22, Kingston, Ontario;
7. Yasim Abdi Mohamed, 24, Kingston, Ontario;
8. Jahmaal James, 23, of Trudelle Street, Toronto, Ontario;
9. Amin Mohamed Durrani, 19, of Stonehill Court, Toronto, Ontario;
10. Steven Vikash Chand alias Abdul Shakur, 25, of Treverton Drive, Toronto, Ontario;
11. Ahmad Mustafa Ghany, 21, of Robin Drive, Mississauga, Ontario;
12. Saad Khalid, 19, of Eclipse Avenue, Mississauga, Ontario;
13. Five young persons.

“Our investigation and arrests prevented the assembly of explosive devices and attacks being carried out. At all times, the focus of our investigation was the safety and protection of the public,” concluded McDonell.

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Backgrounder: National Security and the RCMP

During the latter half of the 1990's, the RCMP began to refocus its National Security Intelligence Sections (NSIS) to become Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams (INSETs) in major centres throughout the country. The purpose of this was to increase the capacity for the collection, sharing and analysis of intelligence among partners with respect to individuals and entities that pose a threat to national security; create an enhanced investigative capacity to bring such individuals and entities to justice; and enhance partner agencies’ collective ability to combat national security threats.

National Security is a priority for the RCMP. Threats to national security are continually changing, presenting an “intelligence challenge” to governments and law enforcement around the world. Potential terrorists may not have yet engaged in criminal activity and are therefore difficult to recognize and impede. Terrorist organizations – foreign, domestic or “home-grown” – are increasingly sophisticated, with members linked through technology and loosely linked groups or cells, allowing them to operate in an environment where borders are virtual and detection is difficult. This global operations base for terrorist groups emphasizes the importance of an integrated policing approach where intelligence is shared among countries around the world.

The RCMP will:

• ensure border integrity and work with partners to create “smart borders” that will prevent the entry of those who create a terrorist threat
• detect, prevent/disrupt and investigate terrorist activity
• expand collection and sharing of information and criminal intelligence
• deliver timely and relevant criminal intelligence
• build new and strengthen existing partnerships
• contribute valued public policy advice
• allocate resources strategically
• ensure sound and rigorous stewardship of RCMP resources
• enhance centrally coordinated National Security Program management
• communicate effectively
• recruit, develop, and retain the right people
• optimize enabling science and technology

Community Outreach
In keeping with the Government of Canada's goal of Safe Homes and Safe Communities, Canada's Action Plan Against Racism and the RCMP National Priorities of Terrorism and Youth, the RCMP National Security Program has established a Community Outreach Program.

The RCMP’s National Security Program is implementing a comprehensive community outreach program to engage all communities including the diverse ethnic, cultural and religious communities across Canada in the protection of Canada’s national security. This will be accomplished in part by increasing the understanding of mutual goals and concerns and ensuring appropriate and informed communications should a crisis arise.

Backgrounder: Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams (INSETs)

National Security requires an integrated approach to ensure early detection and prevention of any potential threats to Canada and the public. The importance of greater integration of resources and intelligence has been heightened by the reality of terrorism for many countries, including Canada.

The RCMP has refocused its National Security Intelligence Sections (NSIS) to become Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams (INSETs) in major centres throughout the country. The purpose for this is to increase the capacity for the collection, sharing and analysis of intelligence among partners with respect to individuals and entities that are a threat to national security and; create an enhanced investigative capacity to bring such individuals and entities to justice; and enhance partner agencies collective ability to combat national security threats and meet all specific mandate responsibilities, consistent with the laws of Canada and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

INSETs are made up of representatives of the RCMP, federal partners and agencies such as Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), and provincial and municipal police services. INSETs exist in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.

Through shared federal, provincial and municipal resources - INSET members are better able to track, deter, disrupt and prevent criminal activities (major or minor offences) of terrorist groups or individuals who pose a threat to Canada’s national security. This type of increased capacity enables INSET members to work with their partners nationally and internationally.

The mandate of INSETs is to:

• Increase the capacity to collect, share and analyze intelligence among partners, with respect to targets (individuals) that are threat to national security.
• To create an enhanced enforcement capacity to bring such targets to justice.
• Enhance partner agencies’ collective ability to combat national security threats and meet specific mandate responsibilities.