The police raid in eastern Quebec has so far led to the arrest of 32 suspects, almost all of whom were linked to the bloody war between organized crime factions for control of the lucrative cocaine trade.
The police believe they have dealt a “good blow” to criminal groups, and in particular to Dave “Pic” Turmel’s group. According to several sources, the 27-year-old man is waging open war against the Hells Angels.
“We gave it a good shot, but it’s not over. It’s a start,” said Sûreté du Québec (SQ) chief inspector Michel Patenaude.
Different police forces – the SQ, the Quebec City Police Service (SPVQ), the Lévis City Police Service (SPVL) and the Saguenay City Police Service (SPVS) – organized a conference joint press Thursday in the capital.
Police have given very few details about these 32 arrests and what they found. The SPVQ, however, confirms having arrested on its territory 11 people linked to the Blood Family Mafia (BFM), the Turmel gang.
We also know that the SPVQ got their hands on a bloody drill in a house in Beauport. But it is impossible to know if she was used in one of the torture sessions captured in the videos that circulated.
The police on Thursday especially wanted to reassure the population and draw up what they consider a positive assessment of the large-scale operation launched last Friday in Quebec and in several regions in the east of the province.
“The strategy was to be visible and reassure the population. We are continuing our operations and other operations will come in the near future,” said Mr. Patenaude.
The SQ admits that recent events have disrupted its plans and prompted it to deliver this “big move” more quickly than expected. Mr. Patenaude cites the alleged hostage-taking of a biker in St-Malachie and the kidnapping of a man from Saguenay finally found in Montreal.
This large-scale raid will end in the coming days.
What about Turmel himself? The man reportedly fled for Europe, knowing that the Hells had a price on his head.
“As for the suspects we are looking for and who are not in Quebec, we are working with several organizations and I will not go into details,” said Michel Patenaude, of the SQ.