The public inquiry into money laundering in B.C. entered its second phase on Monday, with the first expert laying out the scope of the problem in the province and why B.C. has become such a hot spot.
Stephen Schneider, a professor of criminology at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, told commissioner Austin Cullen that he had to rely partially on reports from Vancouver news outlets because of a lack of proper, peer-reviewed studies on the topic.
In Vancouver, Schneider said, there seems to be businesses whose sole purpose is to launder money, and that it has become a “cottage industry” in which people become specialists or consultants to help organized crime groups.
“We can’t just think in these stereotypical drug dealers with bags full of cash,” he said. “We also have to think of more sophisticated corporate entities that are engaged in unethical and criminal activity.”
Schneider is going through the range of #moneylaundering tactics. From "hockey bags" of cash to shell companies in "tax-free" countries. @CullenInquiryBC @GlobalBC
— John Hua 華仁安 (@JohnHua) May 25, 2020
The inquiry was called last May by Premier John Horgan after intense pressure to hold authorities and criminals accountable for the level of crime happening in the province’s casinos, housing market and luxury car industry.
“One of your most crucial goals in money laundering is to create the guise legitimacy and what better way to do that than in the legitimate economy,” Schneider said.
As for why B.C. has become such a hub, he pointed to its home-grown drug industry and ties to California and China.
The commission has pushed forward with video conferencing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The current round of hearings will run from May 25 to June 26.
Schneider says there are a lot of reasons by BC is a hub for drugs and #moneylaundering. Port to Asia, proximity to California and "homegrown drug industry." @CullenInquiryBC @GlobalBC
— John Hua 華仁安 (@JohnHua) May 25, 2020
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