The Kelowna business community got a crash course on organized crime Tuesday.

The local Chamber of Commerce brought in BC RCMP Superintendent Marianne Ryan, an expert in organized crime.

She told the crowd that organized crime is alive and well in Kelowna and fighting it is difficult -- particularly when dealing with marijuana grow ops.

"They (gangsters) want to live in nice communities too. With Kelowna being surrounded by rural properties that are difficult to access, that's a challenge for us."

Many have argued that legalizing marijuana would put a dent in organized crime, but Ryan says that's not the answer.

"Most of the marijuana that is being produced in BC and in this area is going elsewhere - primarily to the United States and what is coming back in return are cocaine and firearms."

Ryan says one of the main reasons why gangs are moving to Kelowna is because of its location.

"There's a reason why they've (Hells Angels) positioned themselves here and why there are members from Calgary and East End Vancouver in the Kelowna chapter and that's because Kelowna is a distribution point. Kelowna is close to the US and Alberta borders and is sort of an untapped frontier for criminal organizations."

She says the Hells Angels are not the only group making headway in Kelowna. She says the Independent Soldiers are a growing concern.

"They are a significant presence in Kelowna. They're more organized than a street gang but I don't think they've reached the upper echelons of organized crime. We're watching them very closely."

Ryan says gangs like the Hells Angels don't mind sharing their turf with other organized crime groups such as the Independent Soldiers because the drug business is so lucrative in Kelowna.

Kelowna RCMP Superintendent, Bill McKinnon, says fighting organized crime in this city is a challenge, mainly because he doesn't enough resources.

"We're so busy dealing with regular calls that we don't have the proper number of officers required to investigate organized crime because they're complex investigations."

He says Kelowna RCMP needs a dedicated team focused solely on organized crime.

Kelowna MP, Ron Cannan, says his government is taking action.

"The judges' hands are tied with the laws we have today. It's a catch and release program if you ask me, but we've tabled legislation to change that."

Meantime, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce says it's putting together a citizens task force to address the issue of organized crime in Kelowna.

Video of Ryan, McKinnon and Cannan (Kelly Hayes)