Arrests linked to the war to control drug trafficking in Quebec are increasing. A total of 18 people were charged with various crimes over the weekend.
Since Friday, the Sûreté du Québec has announced 14 arrests in connection with the conflict between criminal groups in the Capitale-Nationale region.
Added to these was the arrest of a woman and three men on Sunday by the Quebec City Police Department.
James Célestin, 40, and David Marceau-Maillefert, 35, were charged with aggravated assault, kidnapping and forcible confinement at the Quebec courthouse
Jean-François Dion, 37, was charged with possession of ammunition, which he was prohibited from doing. The woman was released by summons.
Narcotics, 0.45 caliber ammunition as well as 9 millimeters and a ballistic vest were seized alongside these arrests.
The suspects gravitate around a leader of a known criminal group, Blood Family Mafia, Captain Marie-Manon Savard said at a press briefing.
IMAGE TAKEN FROM A VIDEO PUBLISHED BY THE SPVQ
Captain Marie-Manon Savard
Led by trafficker and pimp Dave “Pic” Turmel, the clan is currently engaged in a bloody conflict with the Hells Angels.
Since Friday, police forces have carried out several waves of arrests in connection with the conflict which has already led to fires, two hostage takings and a murder.
On Saturday, three women and six men aged between 21 and 45 were charged with various crimes, including attempted murder, kidnapping and serious assault, at the Quebec courthouse.
The day before, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) declared that the conflict had lasted long enough, saying they feared for the safety of citizens if it were to continue.
With the regions of Quebec, Chaudière-Appalaches, Bas-Saint-Laurent and Côte-Nord affected, SQ agents from several regions are participating in operations, as are municipal police officers from Quebec, Saguenay and Lévis. .
THE CONFLICT IN SOME DATES
- February 19 : A man loses his life and three others are injured during a kidnapping and sequestration case in which the suspects are believed to be members of the BFM street gang.
- February 22 : A man from Saguenay who had been missing since the day before was found in the middle of the night, on a sidewalk in the Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie borough, in Montreal. He suffered serious injuries to his body and had a toe and a finger cut off.
- February 22 : A man is seriously injured during an armed attack in Montmagny. The victim was transported to hospital, but his condition stabilized and he was released in the evening.
- February 23 : The Sûreté du Québec gives a press briefing to try to calm things down, by warning organized crime that it will intensify its presence and that the increase in tension must stop, for the safety of the population.
- February 24 : A new armed attack occurs, this time in Thetford Mines. There is no fear for the victim’s life.
With Henri-Ouellette-Vézina, Daniel Renaud and Gabriel Béland, The Press