The Wall Street Journal

Shootings soar in ‘safe’ city as tow-truck gangs fight it out

Shootings soar in ‘safe’ city as tow-truck gangs fight it out
The towing business is particularly vulnerable to corruption because it offers gangs an easy way to make money and transport contraband, industry experts say. (Image: Depositphotos)
The Wall Street Journal
By Vipal MongaTowing cars has become a deadly business in Canada’s largest city. Rival gangs control parts of the tow-truck industry in Toronto, using the heavy-duty vehicles to transport drugs, extort car-crash victims with high fees, and fake automobile accidents to defraud insurance. They once resolved their territorial differences with their fists, but now a wave of gun smuggling from the US has turned their fights into a lethal blood sport.This year through to late August, Toronto shootings are up 50% compared with the same...

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Staff reporters 01 Apr 2025