Toronto-area police laid nearly 200 charges including first-degree murder against members of several organized crime groups operating within the towing industry after a wiretap investigation revealed a criminal ring known as The Union that collected thousands of dollars in annual dues from operators in exchange for territorial protection, according to CTV News and the Toronto Police Service. In a single year, 63 firearm discharge and shooting incidents — approximately 13 percent of all shootings in the city — were linked to tow truck disputes.
Operator takeaway
Thirteen percent of all shootings in Toronto were tow-truck related — organized crime does not announce itself, and any operator being pressured to pay protection money or cede territory should contact law enforcement immediately.