Best of TPL: Sam Cooper on Alleged IRGC Networks and Canada’s National Security

How are transnational criminal networks using Canada’s financial system, borders and institutions—and could the United States force Canada to respond?

In this Best of TPL excerpt, investigative journalist Sam Cooper discusses his reporting on alleged Iranian and IRGC-linked activity in Canada, international money laundering, organized crime, drug trafficking and the growing connections between criminal networks operating across Canada, Mexico, Latin America and the United States.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How alleged Iranian-linked networks may be using Canadian banks, real estate and financial systems

• Why U.S. authorities are increasing pressure on Iran’s international financial networks

• The connections Cooper describes between organized crime, drug trafficking and foreign state actors

• Former Canadian Olympian Ryan Wedding and allegations surrounding his international criminal network

• Why intelligence gathered by Canadian agencies can be difficult to use in criminal or immigration proceedings

• Cooper’s concerns about Canada’s ability to disrupt sophisticated transnational crime networks

• Whether border security, fentanyl trafficking and money laundering are becoming larger issues in Canada–U.S. relations

• How organized crime and drug trafficking are affecting communities far beyond major cities

Guest: Sam Cooper

Host: Mike Wixson

Timestamps:

00:00 Iran, sanctions and Canada’s financial system

01:20 How international criminal networks build connections

02:01 Ryan Wedding and transnational organized crime

03:39 What happens next between Canada and the U.S.?

04:37 Why Canadian authorities struggle to act on intelligence

07:00 Canada’s national security challenge

08:08 Is security driving U.S. pressure on Canada?

09:32 Drugs, money laundering and the impact on Canadian communities

This discussion includes allegations, reporting and analysis presented by the guest. Allegations discussed have not necessarily been proven in court.

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Pillars: Crime • Defence

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