West End Gang

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The West End Gang is one of Canada's most influential criminal groups. Active since the early 1900s, their rise to notoriety did not begin until the 1960s, when they were known simply as the "Irish gang". Their criminal activities were focused, but definitely not restricted to the west side of Montreal. Most of the gang's earnings in those days derived from truck hijacking, home invasions, kidnapping, and armed robbery.

The Irish-dominated mob, but not exclusively comprised of members of Irish extraction (some Scottish and French members), expanded its rackets in the 1970's to include drugs. They began to import large quantities of hashish and cocaine and developed important contacts in the United States, South America, and Europe. Members also worked out of Florida.

The gang formulated ties to the Montreal Mafia cosa nostra and Hells Angels. Three organizations make up the "Consortium" (similar to New York City's "Commission"). Together, three groups leaders fix the prices of drugs for both the wholesale and retail market. Most of the drugs are smuggled into the United States, the world's largest drug market, and the rest is sold throughout Quebec and other provinces.

Police have estimated that over a 15 year span during the 1970's to the early 1990's the gang had trafficked more than 10,000 kg of cocaine and more than 300 tons of hashish, with an estimated value of $80 billion on the black market.

Over the years, many of members have been murdered or convicted of murder, most notably the 1984 assassination of one time gang leader Frank "Dunie" Ryan and the susbequent revenge killings weeks later believed to be organized by replacement leader Allan "the weasel" Ross.

Montreal police estimate that the West End Gang currently consists of approximately 125 to 150 members. The group does not operate with a Mafia like hierarchy. It is loosely connected, with captains heading different factions. The group often collaborates with the Montreal Mafia and the Hells Angels in enormous drug shipments and remains one of the most powerful and profitable criminal organizations in the country.