Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Overview

Information on the Zoe Pound gang in the Bahamas was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

According to a report written for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on crime and violence in the Bahamas, "gangs are a fairly new and evolving phenomenon in [t]he Bahamas" (Sutton June 2016, 7). The same source states that, "according to the Ministry of National Security [of the Bahamas], around 18 different gangs have been identified as operating in [t]he Bahamas. They vary in size, structure, membership, and the extent of involvement with illegal activities" (Sutton June 2016, 7).

According to sources, the Zoe Pound gang was founded in Miami by Haitian immigrants (US 2011, 21; The History Channel 4 Dec. 2008) in 1990 (The History Channel 4 Dec. 2008). Sources indicate that the Zoe Pound gang is one of the most feared gangs in Florida (Le Journal de Montréal 30 Aug. 2012) or in Miami (Local 10 News 19 May 2014).

According to sources, "Zoe" is creole for "bone" (The History Channel 4 Dec. 2008; Young and Bailey 2010, 169). In "All Hell Breaks Loose," an episode of the documentary series Gangland that aired on the History Channel, "pound" is the acronym for "Power Of the Unified Negroes in Divinity" (The History Channel 4 Dec. 2008). According to the daily newspaper Le Journal de Montréal, a visible symbol of the Zoe Pound gang is the Haitian flag (Le Journal de Montréal 30 Aug. 2012). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

According to the episode "All Hell Breaks Loose," the Zoe Pound gang is a secretive gang (The History Channel 4 Dec. 2008). The same source indicates that, according to authorities in Miami, "the gang uses its code of secrecy to cover its illegal activities" (The History Channel 4 Dec. 2008). A detective of the Miami-Dade Police Department, interviewed in the episode "All Hell Breaks Loose," stated that "'if [Zoe Pound gang members] feel they are being investigated or looked at, they will change their names'" (The History Channel 4 Dec. 2008). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

According to the website of the Miami-based television station Local 10 News, the Zoe Pound gang has links to the Black Mafia Family in Atlanta and is a rival of the MS-13 gang (Local 10 News 19 May 2014). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2. Activities

Information on the activities of the Zoe Pound gang in the Bahamas was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Local 10 News cites Miami-Dade detectives as describing the Zoe Pound as "organized" (Local 10 News 19 May 2014). According to sources, the Zoe Pound gang has been involved in:

• drug trafficking (US 2011, 21; The History Channel 4 Dec. 2008);
• robbery (US 2011, 21);
• violent crime (US 2011, 21);
• pirating vessels (The History Channel 4 Dec. 2008);
• torture (The History Channel 4 Dec. 2008);
• targeted home invasions (The History Channel 4 Dec. 2008);
• drive-by shootings (The History Channel 4 Dec. 2008); and
• murder (The History Channel 4 Dec. 2008).

According to the episode "All Hell Breaks Loose," as part of the gang's culture of secrecy, there is no initiation tradition of beating up new members in the Zoe Pound gang (The History Channel 4 Dec. 2008). The same source indicates that members of the Zoe Pound gang are not required to get tattoos (The History Channel 4 Dec. 2008). However, according to Le Journal de Montréal, Zoe Pound gang members are required to carve the letter Z on their shoulder with a knife (Le Journal de Montréal 30 Aug. 2012). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

3. Areas of Operation

Information on the areas of operation of the Zoe Pound gang in the Bahamas was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

According to the episode "All Hell Breaks Loose," the Zoe Pound gang operates beyond Miami (The History Channel 4 Dec. 2008). Local 10 News cites Miami-Dade detectives as stating that the Zoe Pound "continues to branch out through the East Coast and the Caribbean" (Local 10 News 19 May 2014). Sources indicate that Zoe Pound has a presence in:

• The northern border region of the US (US 2013, 47); and
• New Providence (The Nassau Guardian 12 June 2013).

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, an independent consultant on criminal justice policy in the Caribbean and PhD candidate at John Jay College of Criminal Justice at the City University of New York (CUNY) stated that

the vast majority of gang activity [in the Bahamas], as well as crime and violence incidents, occurs in New Providence (86% of homicides for 2009-2013, for example). According to police data, crime and violence are highest in the Central, Northeastern, and Southeastern police districts of New Providence. (Independent consultant 6 Sept. 2018)

4. Key Members

Information on key members of the Zoe Pound gang in the Bahamas could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

According to the episode "All Hell Breaks Loose," a person by the alias of Macazoe has been regarded as a leader of the Zoe Pound gang (The History Channel 4 Dec. 2008). The same source indicates that other key members have included Blind, Kenny K, and Redd Eyezz (all pseudonyms) (The History Channel 4 Dec. 2008). According to the same source, most members of the gang would not readily admit to being part of the Zoe Pound gang, but would instead claim to be part of "a movement promoting Haitian pride" (The History Channel 4 Dec. 2008).

5. State Response

Information on the state response to the Zoe Pound gang was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

According to the independent consultant, "in general, police actions toward gangs [in the Bahamas] have been ad hoc, not based on data or best practice, and [the police actions] have not evaluated outcomes or demonstrated results" (Independent consultant 6 Sept. 2018). According to the same source,

[the] police are more likely to be a threat to people affected by gang violence than a source of protection. The reality is that many people who are victims of gangs are also members, relatives, or affiliates of gangs. Even when they suffer severe acts of violence, this status makes them less likely to seek protection. It is likely that police anti-gang policies – as well as attitudes and assumptions against gang-related individuals – would limit or prohibit assistance for such victims. …

It is important to note that in small Caribbean countries – and the Bahamas is a very small Caribbean country – relocation to a different part of the island or country is not a viable protection mechanism, even if relocation is reinforced by police protection. In a small, interconnected population where law enforcement officers and criminally-involved people may be from the same community, and where social ties are strong, there is no place distant or separate enough to be safe for a person fleeing gang violence (or other types of persecution) within the Bahamas, including on other islands. …

Even outside of state institutions, there are few organizations working with people affected by crime (as victims or perpetrators), except for some religious organizations and NGOs focusing on domestic violence. There are no NGOs dedicated to addressing gang violence dynamics specifically. (Independent consultant 6 Sept. 2018)

Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

The History Channel. 4 December 2008. Gangland. "All Hell Breaks Loose." S3E12.

Independent consultant. 6 September 2018. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Le Journal de Montréal. 30 August 2012. Éric Thibault. "Parrains floridiens ?" [Accessed 17 Sept. 2018]

Local 10 News. 19 May 2014. "Crime Stoppers Helps to Catch Miami's Little Haiti Zoe Pound Member." [Accessed 17 Sept. 2018]

The Nassau Guardian. 12 June 2013. Krystel Rolle. "Reid Calls for Urgent Action on Gangs." [Accessed 16 Aug. 2018]

Sutton, Heather. June 2016. Crime and Violence in the Bahamas. IDB Series on Crime and Violence in the Caribbean. [Accessed 17 Sept. 2018]

United States (US). [2013]. National Gang Intelligence Center. 2013 National Gang Report. [Accessed 18 Sept. 2018]

United States (US). [2011]. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). "2011 National Gang Threat Assessment." Accessed 16 Aug. 2018]

Young, Maurice, and Peter Bailey. 2010. Magic City: Trials of a Native Son. New York: Gallery Books.

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Academics specializing in gang activities in the Caribbean; Bahamas – High Commission in Ottawa, Ministry of National Security, Royal Bahamas Police Force; Bahamas Red Cross Youth; Canada – International Development Research Centre; Crime Stoppers Bahamas; The Hope Center; Inter-American Development Bank; Organization of American States – Inter-American Network for the Prevention of Violence and Crime; Pan American Development Foundation; Sant La; Tribune242; UN – Office on Drugs and Crime; US – Federal Bureau of Investigation; Youth Against Violence.

Internet sites, including: Agencia EFE; Agence France-Presse; Al Jazeera; The Bahama Journal; The Bahamas – High Commission in Ottawa, Ministry of National Security, Royal Bahamas Police Force; BBC; CNN; Deutsche Welle; ecoi.net; France 24; The Freeport News; The Globe and Mail; The Guardian; Haiti Press Network; The Haitian Times; InSight Crime; Jane's Intelligence Review; Miami Herald; Le Monde; The New York Times; The Punch; Tribune242; UN – Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Office on Drugs and Crime, Refworld.