VICTORIA - B.C. supports a more integrated policing approach as a key to cracking organized crime, Solicitor General John Les said today.

Les, along with his provincial, territorial and federal counterparts will meet in Ottawa Friday for high-level discussions on organized crime. They plan to identify key priorities for future action, including legislation, more funding, and increased integration of police and Crown resources.

"I'm asking the Government of Canada and my colleagues to commit to an integrated approach to organized crime and to fully support the effort with sustainable funding," said Les.

B.C. has taken the lead nationally by creating the integrated Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) with members of the RCMP and municipal police who specifically investigate and disrupt organized crime. The Province has also created a dedicated organized crime prosecution unit which includes both federal and provincial prosecutors. As well, through legislation, B.C. established a Civil Forfeiture Office, which is working to confiscate property and cash from criminal activity. In conjunction with the National Coordinating Committee on Organized Crime, B.C. has also established an enhanced regional committee with members from the RCMP, municipal police, CSIS, Revenue Canada, Canada Border Services and others.

The changing face of organized crime will also be a central topic of discussion at the ministerial forum. Les said that over the past decade, technology and globalization have had an enormous impact on how criminal groups operate. From identity theft to international money laundering, crime has become much more sophisticated, and governments need to be more modern and sophisticated in response.

"Crime today impacts everything from our economy to individual British Columbians at home using the Internet who may become victims of fraud," said Les. "We need to understand more about how organized crime operates in this day and age so we can fight back with new tools."

Les says organized crime groups often work together - one group may import illegal drugs and arrange for another group to distribute the drugs, while a different organization may be in charge of laundering the money. He noted that until we are able to understand these associations better, it will remain difficult to come up with effective policy and legislative solutions to tackle organized crime.