This morning, Quebec RCMP officers arrested nine individuals involved in cocaine trafficking. The operation was conducted in the Québec City and Montréal areas.
The investigation targeted 14 individuals linked to a criminal network distributing drugs in the Québec City area. The network consisted of two cells, one in Montréal that served as a supplier, and the other in Québec City that was responsible for distribution. Nine people were arrested and five are summoned to Court.
The individuals arrested are:
- Gilles Roberge, 73, Valcartier
- Michel Turgeon-Tardif, 30, Québec City
- Stéphan Parent, 55, Québec City
- Éric Lachance, 36, Québec City
- Michel Houde, 54, Montréal
- Mario Fournier, 51, Saint-Lin-Laurentides
- Yan Martinbeault, 40, Saint-Lin-Laurentides
- Karl Drolet, 31, St-Gabriel-de-Valcartier
- Jean-François Lapointe, 42, Blainville
The accused will appear today by videoconference. They face charges including trafficking of cocaine, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of prohibited weapons, and possession of property obtained by crime.
Search warrants were executed in six residences and one vehicle during the course of the investigation. Officers seized many items, including:
- $300,000 in Canadian currency
- 3.7 kilos of cocaine
- 78,988 tablets of methamphetamine
- 47 brass knuckles and one jackknife (prohibited weapons)
- 429 tablets of MDMA (ecstasy)
- 82 litres of GHB
Appeal to the public
If you have information on individuals or groups involved in drug trafficking activity, contact the RCMP at 514-939-8300/1-800-771-5401 or your local police department.