1. A shooting up North
When the gunfire stopped, one man was found dead. Another man, hit multiple times, managed to survive. Two teenagers ran away but had nowhere to escape in their small northern Ontario town. Ginoogaming First Nation, a secluded community with around 200 residents living in 90 homes, isn’t usually in the news. This 68-square-kilometre Anishnawbe reserve is located just south of the Trans Canada Highway and adjacent to the tiny lakeside town of Longlac. The reserve’s reputation shifted dramatically after a series of shots were fired in early October. Within hours of the incident, which took place three and a half hours northeast of Thunder Bay, local police put the community on lockdown while searching for two suspects. The story made headlines across Canada. Details about the shooting remain unclear. The Ontario Provincial Police and local Anishinabek Police Service haven’t shared specifics. Community members and witnesses believe it was related to drug trafficking. However, when police apprehended two teens – both Black youths from Brampton, Ont., aged 15 and 18 – things became clearer. Suddenly, Ginoogaming was spotlighted as part of a growing crime issue that began years earlier in the Greater Toronto Area, which lies over 1,100 kilometres to the south. For years now, parents and activists have been raising concerns that Black boys as young as 13 have been disappearing in the GTA. These aren’t typical runaways; these kids are being groomed and lured into drug trafficking groups with promises of money and respect. The isolated First Nations reserve of Ginoogaming has become a target for drug traffickers from the Greater Toronto Area. (David Jackson/CBC) The adult traffickers treat these boys like disposable assets – they serve as mules or shields for legal repercussions while often only appearing when police raid filthy drug dens known as trap houses far from their own families and lives. A CBC fifth estate investigation revealed that many of these boys are entrenched within Ontario cities like Thunder Bay and Sarnia but are also being sent further north into remote First Nations communities where drugs-ranging from fentanyl to cocaine-fetch higher prices than in urban areas. “We have children who are 14 who are involved in this,” said Jeremy Pearson, deputy chief of Thunder Bay Police Service. “There are questions about how youth get involved in criminal activities.” The city serves as a critical point for moving drugs from the GTA into more isolated communities up north. “Is there an attraction? Is there coercion? Is there exploitation? Is it a mix? Something I frequently mention is: ‘It’s possible to be both a victim and a perpetrator.’ Watch the full documentary, “Missing Black Boys,” from fifth estate on You Tube or CBC-TV on Friday at 9 p. m. Activists ringing alarm bells on this issue firmly believe these boys are being exploited for criminal purposes. But law enforcement argues it’s not so straightforward; charging someone with trafficking requires testimony against gang leaders-something these young boys seldom provide. O’Shea Stewart, a school counselor from Toronto who works hard to keep young men out of gangs knows all too well what can happen to them. Four boys he once worked with died after going missing. “I’ve had opportunities to work with kids outside my own community too,” Stewart shared about his experiences noting how easily any kid can fall prey to such lifestyles; however some Black youths seem particularly susceptible to predatory behavior by criminals. “No child is born a criminal,” he said emphatically. “There’s definitely learned behavior here-these kids find themselves pushed into lives they never wanted.”“Don’t use my kid as your pawn,” asserted one father residing Durham Region identified only Marcus protecting identity surrounding son vanished back late year “Step up-you’re grown adults capable enough handling dirty work yourself!” Mentalities fueled claims giving reputations masculine appeal brought ease cash flow compel unwitting victims slide down path crime making quick bucks steering priorities upside down defined success through monetary gains,” remarked Stewart adding societal pressures skew perception surrounding manhood played large roles adding social media glorifies false narratives elevating importance wealth generating perspectives.”
“In regards street life ultimately leads demise whereby no winners exist-not even ones claiming power” concluded reflection concerning danger lurking behind enticing allure offered through illicit activity pursuits.”
WATCH | Father’s message directed towards criminals:
A father’s plea imploring wrongdoers refrain preying upon innocent children hails attention bringing awareness necessary needed change.
2. The warning signs
This troubling trend referred sometimes colloquially “going OT” has persisted quietly yet rarely garners enough media scrutiny until now however its existence surfaces within various records available including police reports court filings documentation revealing sobering patterns emerging steadily across regions observing notorious arrest statistics tied disproportionately alarming rates involving minors specifically black male youths entangled midst illicit engagements occurring neighborhoods distant central urban centers.. Available figures show no formal quantifiable data collected reflecting true scope lack representation likely attributed insufficient transparency across board keeping vital information obscured elusive mainstream awareness.. Thus fifth estate commenced thorough review analyzing public records spanning numerous years assessing patterns evidenced through arrest logs showcasing distinct commonalities recurring incidents displaying similar profiles seen linking several arrests together comprising notable discoveries indicating connections present among cases involving multiple apprehensions targeting young African Canadians alongside older offenders facing serious charges relating firearms controlled substances.. One highly publicized case occurred surrounding joint initiative dubbed Project Sunder aimed dismantling operations conducted by Eglinton West Crips (EWC) street gang based Toronto resulting significant outcomes leading prosecution individuals affixed group although most details remained overshadowed relevant implications reflecting inner workings intricate webs manipulation exploited youthful recruits subjected prevailing conditions controlling organized crime syndicates exploiting innocence less experienced parties lacking resources knowledge required navigate terrain safely avoiding entrapment served misguided motivations perpetuated dangers unchecked environments leading down dark paths losing agency consequences unimaginable defining futures dictated external forces beyond individual control..Court documents associated key figure Vito Bailey-Ricketts known locally street alias “V-Dizzle” revealed mechanisms utilized specific approaches gaining compliance implementing psychological tactics designed lure unsuspecting parties render subjects compliant securing continued involvement emphasizing oppressive dynamics established hierarchical relationships where underage participants primarily tasked fulfilling requests adults retaining oversight enforcing expectations driven profit motives circumventing accountability eventual penalties incurred solely placed burden shoulders minors entrapped cycle seeming impossible escape further perpetuating cycles misfortune exacerbated lack support systems adequate intervention resources tailored address needs individuals impacted direct manner facilitating rehabilitation reintegration pathways heading future betterment..
This past spring Bailey-Ricketts received lengthy sentence spanning thirteen years incarceration linked myriad offenses encompassing trafficking dangerous narcotics conspiracy running illegal operations instructing accomplices commit indictable violations pertaining controlled acts.
“It’s quite evident youths targeted know very little regarding circumstances awaiting them whenever leave familiar surroundings enter unknown territories laden risk-filled experiences-alluring offers masking grim realities ahead ” commented Constable Jeff Saunders overseeing missing persons unit within Thunder Bay reporting frequent inquiries regarding lost youths originating GTA contexts oftentimes troubled family backgrounds directly affecting decisions made detrimental ultimately leading perilous choices taken..”
[..]Continue watching documentary detailing events via official You Tube channel Fifth Estate airing nightly Fridays nine PM Eastern Standard Time on network channels nationwide..
