A total of 175 police officers, including members of five tactical intervention groups, nine searches carried out in four boroughs in the east and north of Montreal, eight arrests; the SPVM has just dealt a heavy blow to a street gang suspected of being involved in several violent events committed in recent months in Montreal, including the murder of an 18-year-old young man in March.
“We are here and we will continue to be. Armed violence is the service’s number one priority,” says Jean-Sébastien Caron, Major Crimes Commander for the SPVM.
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Jean-Sébastien Caron, Major Crimes Commander of the SPVM
His investigators, helped by colleagues from other sections, patrol officers, and members of tactical intervention groups (GTI) from the Sûreté du Québec and the Longueuil Agglomeration Police Service, suddenly arrested eight members of the Block 6 street gang (Anjou) all suspected of having been involved “closely or indirectly” according to Commander Caron in the murder of a member of the opposing STL gang (Saint-Léonard), Khaled Mouloudj, March 19.
The latter was leaving his home on Avenue des Hérissons in the borough of Anjou around 10 p.m. when he was riddled with firearm projectiles fired from a moving vehicle, a crime “prepared” says Mr. Caron.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Khaled Mouloudj, who was on the sidewalk, had been hit by shots fired from a moving vehicle, shortly before 10 p.m., on avenue des Hérissons. The vehicle of the suspect(s) then quickly fled.
Of the elements relevant
During the searches carried out at the homes of the suspects in the boroughs of Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles, Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and Anjou, the sleuths got their hands on evidence “relevant” clothing, equipment used to steal vehicles and other evidence that has not been revealed.
“There will be a parallel investigation [à propos] vehicle theft,” Mr. Caron said earlier during a press conference.
As of late Wednesday afternoon, the eight suspects, mainly aged 18, 19 and 20, were still being questioned by investigators, but police intend to release them pending further investigation.
“The purpose of today was not to lay charges, but it is a step in our investigative strategy. We have been working hard for a month to collect additional evidence to continue to improve the evidence in the file,” explains Captain Caron.
The spectacular operation was dictated above all by the murder investigation, but Mr. Caron is aware that it comes at the right time, as the police fear an upsurge in gun violence in Montreal as summer approaches. .
“Today was not chosen to send a message. She was chosen because we were there in our investigation. But yes, the operation sends the message to Montrealers and to the gangs that we are present, ”says the officer.
of friends to enemies
The STL and Block 6, which would have already been at peace, would be involved in several violent events that occurred in the metropolis in 2022 and 2023.
This conflict could even be looming behind the video that circulated on social networks showing two 16-year-old Montreal teenagers tortured in Toronto last January in a context, according to sources, of a conflict related to vehicle theft.
“These gangs are definitely involved in vehicle theft between Toronto and Montreal,” says Mr. Caron.
On April 5, investigators from the Multidisciplinary Team Dedicated to Firearms (ÉMAF) in the northeast region, which reports to the SPVM’s Organized Crime Division, arrested three STL members who allegedly intended to avenge the death of Khaled Mouloudj. Investigators, who thereby seized a pistol and several high-capacity magazines, may have averted the worst.
According to our information, a video flaying the Block 6 and highlighting the death of some murdered gang members was broadcast on social networks shortly before the murder of Khaled Mouloudj.
“Khaled and his guys released a clip where they disrespect the entire Anjou sector and several deaths from this conflict,” a criminal source told AFP at the time. The Press. The broadcast of this piece has generated various provocations and incitement to violence from anonymous accounts on social networks.
“It is a conflict that has been going on for a long time and which is maintained on social networks. What triggered this? It’s hard to say. This is all the events of recent years and the people we arrested on Wednesday are involved in several firearms events that have occurred in Montreal in recent months,” concludes Commander Jean-Sébastien Caron.
“This operation is very good news,” he told The Press a resident of the borough of Anjou who requested anonymity and who has lived for fifteen years near the place where the young Mouloudj was killed.
With Mayssa Ferah, The Press
To reach Daniel Renaud, dial 514 285-7000, ext. 4918, write to [email protected] or write to the postal address of The Press.