The Danes (gang)

The Danes' (Danish: Danskerne) are a major drug-trafficking organisation and organised crime group based in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia as well as in the neighbouring province of Vancouver Island. The Danes are a relatively small organised crime group, outsourcing much of their needs, especially transportation and enforcement. The identity of The Danes' leader is not known to law enforcement, but goes by the nickname "H". While most of the organisation's members are not in fact Danish (as it is a multiracial organisation), the top leaders are indeed of Danish heritage, which is the origin of the gang's name.

The Danes were part of a major turf war with the Red Scorpions and United Nations gang between 2016–2019, which resulted in nearly two hundred casualties, roughly evenly split between the three gangs. Nevertheless, The Danes ultimately emerged victorious, and now have a near-monopoly on the illegal narcotics trade in Vancouver and Surrey. Between 2019 and 2020, The Danes also engaged with the Hells Angels in a major turf war on Vancouver Island, mainly concentrated in the cities of Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay and Campbell River, which resulted in at least 80 casualties. The violence ended in January 2021, when the Hells Angels and The Danes came to an agreement: The Danes would supply their product to the Hells Angels (who lacked access to narcotics matching The Danes' produts' quality) on Vancouver Island, which they would transport to buyers throughout the Island for 25% of the cut, with The Danes paying 100% for the product.

The Danes have had many members and former members spend significant time behind bars; several correctional officers have also been convicted for working as drug dealers for The Danes inside British Columbia prisons. The top echelon of the organisation, however, is highy secretive, and as of yet has managed to stay under the police's radar.