The large-scale police deployment that began on February 23 made it possible to strike a “good blow” to calm the conflict raging between a gang from Quebec and the Hells Angels, but it is only “a beginning,” warned the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), Thursday, which intends to continue its operations with less visibility during the “coming weeks, or even the coming months. »
Four police forces took stock, Thursday, of the blitz initiated last week to calm the violence which was escalating between a Quebec gang called “Blood Family Mafia” and the Hells Angels.
These operations, in which “between 100 and 200” Sûreté du Québec agents took part in collaboration with the police services of Quebec, Lévis and Saguenay, have led to 32 arrests and around forty searches to date.
“There will be other arrests over the coming weeks and months,” said Michel Patenaude, director of criminal investigations for the Sûreté du Québec during a press briefing held Thursday.
The arm of justice also struck outside Quebec: police apprehended a suspect in Ontario on Wednesday in connection with a scandalous story of kidnapping initiated in Saguenay and ended in Montreal.
“Our objective was to arrest the main actors linked to the conflict,” said Chief Inspector Patenaude. Our message is clear: we do not tolerate such violent behavior in Quebec. »
The searches also made it possible to get their hands on an entire arsenal of firearms, high-capacity magazines, narcotics including cocaine and various items of evidence.
“We gave it a good shot, but it’s not over,” added the SQ inspector. We adapt and react according to different levels of threat. We will not celebrate too quickly: we will keep the pressure constant. »
The Blood Family Mafia decimated
The majority of those arrested belong to the “Blood Family Mafia”, a criminal group that has revolted against the control of the Hells Angels over drug trafficking in the greater Quebec region and which has been trying, for several months, to impose itself through violence.
This gang, at the origin of several criminal acts in eastern Quebec, has been in the sights of the police for several months. The recent broadcast on the Internet of a sequence of torture in a home in Saint-Malachie, a small town in Bellechasse, and the sequestration of an individual from Saguenay found mutilated on February 21 in Montreal, accelerated police action .
“These are elements that we took into consideration to make the decision to react immediately and quickly,” said Michel Patenaude. Working groups have been in place since the spring, the investigations were progressing very well and at the end of the week, it was time to close several cases. »
Police forces also announced a change of approach in their fight against organized gang crime. “The operation which began a little while ago, more visible, will end in the coming days,” announced Mr. Patenaude. However, investigations continue and the constant pressure we maintain on the different factions of organized crime will always remain. »
The alleged leader still at large
The impact of the conflict raging between the BFM and the Hells Angels has had repercussions for several months, from Saguenay to Sept-Îles.
“In recent years, it was more criminals who were known in our region who committed the crimes,” said Captain Jean-François Imbeault of the Saguenay police. In recent months, we have seen criminals from outside coming to our region. Approximately 15 violent crimes have taken place since March 2023 on our territory. »
The Lévis police noted an increase in violent incidents starting last fall. “In the territory of Lévis, we are talking about around twenty violent events directly linked to the current conflict,” detailed the deputy director of the Lévis Police Department, Réjean Langlois. Events involving mischief, arson, including one fatality, assault with a weapon, possession of firearms, negligent use of a firearm, home invasions, etc. »
The situation took up time and money. In Lévis alone, the police estimate that they have granted more than 1,500 hours of overtime work since the fall to carry out their investigations and apprehend the dozen individuals who are now facing criminal charges.
In Quebec, police arrested 11 individuals over the past week, all associated with the Blood Family Mafia. The gang’s alleged leader, Dave “Pic” Turmel, however, remains on the run abroad. The police authorities did not want to clarify whether repatriation procedures were underway to apprehend him.
“These remain investigative procedures which are, for us, privileged – so we do not talk about them,” ruled the chief inspector of the SQ.