VVT (gang)

VVT is a Tamil gang in Toronto^[1] believed to be named after the Sri Lankan town of Valvettithurai.^[2] It was founded in the early 1990s by Tamil immigrants. The VVT had a strong presence in the west end of Toronto (in particular in Etobicoke and certain areas in Old Toronto and East York) and was regarded as being very business savvy and motivated by the profits of crime. The VVT were considered to be highly organized with members ranging in age from their early teenage years to men in their 30s, with members from to 100-500 strong. In the mid to late 1990s and early 2000s the VVT had an ongoing war with another powerful Tamil gang called the AK Kannan based out of Scarborough. There was a brief truce in 1998 after community members brokered a peace deal in a Richmond Hill Hindu temple; however, a murder a year later renewed the fighting. VVT is behind many murders in the 1990s.

VVT had multiple leaders who represent their respective territories throughout the GTA, Waterloo, Hamilton, Ottawa and Montreal. Even after the deportation of some prominent members, authorities believe this gang is still in operation through its younger generation. Police believe VVT members are heavily involved in drug trafficking, fraud, weapon trafficking, counterfeiting, and extortion. This gang is now considered defunct; however, it is still present through younger generations.

References

1. ↑ Summers, Chris (25 May 2002). "Tamils preying on Tamils". BBC News Online. Retrieved 2009-06-29. 
2. ↑ "Police arrest 51 alleged gang members in Ontario". CTV.ca. October 19, 2001. Retrieved 2009-06-29.