Since early Wednesday morning, investigators from the Montérégie Regional Mixed Squad (ERM) have been arresting about ten individuals suspected of having been involved in a drug trafficking network active in the MRC des Maskoutains and connected to the Hells Angels.
These arrests constitute the final phase of an investigation called Quotité, which began in June 2021 and during which at least 26 searches of residences, businesses and vehicles were carried out on March 24, 2022.
More than 150 police officers from the SQ, the SQ’s Tactical Intervention Group (GTI), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the police services of the agglomeration of Longueuil and Mercier took part in the operation. during which the police seized various quantities of cocaine, cannabis, crack, hashish and methamphetamine.
The police had also seized a pistol, a revolver, 20 unregistered firearms, two electric shock weapons, a brass knuckles, three silencers, ammunition and jewelry and jackets bearing the image of the criminal bikers.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
One of the arrested suspects (left), upon his arrival at SQ headquarters on Wednesday morning.
Among the 26 places visited by the police, there was the residence and a business belonging to the Hells Angels of the South section Sylvain Tétreault, but the biker is not among the number of individuals arrested Wednesday morning.
The individuals arrested Wednesday morning could face charges of conspiracy, drug trafficking, money laundering and possession of firearms.
Members of Indigenous police forces also took part in Wednesday morning’s sweep.
Since the Supreme Court delivered the Jordan decision on judicial delays, the police have been carrying out one or more waves of searches during the investigation, accumulating their evidence and arresting the suspects when the prosecutors are able to lay charges. and to disclose to the defense most of the elements accumulated by the investigators.
To reach Daniel Renaud, dial 514 285-7000, ext. 4918, write to [email protected] or write to the postal address of The Press.