Investigators from the Regional Mixed Squad (ERM) Rive-Nord of the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) have been carrying out a series of arrests since 6 a.m. Wednesday morning on the north and south shores of Montreal with the aim of dismantling a network of producers and large-scale GHB traffickers.
In total, about ten individuals are targeted in Terrebonne, Prévost, Delson and Saint-Philippe.
During the investigation, the police got their hands on more than 1,300 liters of GBL, a precursor product used in the manufacture of GHB, 77 liters of GHB, and invoices showing the purchase and import of more than 36,000 liters of GBL in recent years.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
One of the suspects arrested.
“The suspects are believed to have produced several thousand liters and millions of doses of GHB over the past few years,” sources told The Press.
According to our information, the network would have sold its drugs as far as the Quebec region.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
This woman was arrested during the operation.
Arrest warrants have been issued against Éric Matte, 42 years old from Terrebonne, Sébastien Turcotte, 43 years old from Terrebonne, Jean-Philippe Robitaille, 44 years old from Prévost, Richard Boisvert, 52 years old from Delson and Michel Dionne, 63 years old from Saint -Philip.
The suspects should appear at the end of the afternoon at the Saint-Jérôme courthouse and will face several charges related to the production and trafficking of illegal substances, but also gangsterism. The alleged acts date back as far as 2014.
GHB, a central nervous system depressant in liquid form, is often labeled as the “date-rape drug,” but it is mostly used deliberately and recreationally.
To reach Daniel Renaud, dial 514 285-7000 ext. 4918, write to [email protected] or write to the postal address of The Press.