30 arrested in Montreal, aboriginal community operation that used 300 officers

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

speakup

MONTREAL - Police seized weapons including three grenade launchers yesterday during raids on a network accused of moving Quebec pot to the United States through Mohawk territory.

The Canadian Press

Police officers yesterday display some of the marijuana, weapons and cash confiscated in raids in Montreal and the Mohawk communities of Kahnawake, Kanesatake and Akwesasne that resulted in 30 arrests.

A senior RCMP official says he was taken aback by the arms cache found during yesterday's bust.

"This isn't something you stumble across in every investigation," Supt. Steve Covey said.

Covey said police had no idea what the grenade launchers were going to be used for.

The heavy-duty weapons including several assault rifles were rounded up by 300 police officers who targeted Montreal and three aboriginal communities.

Raids were carried out by the Mounties, Quebec provincial police, Mohawk authorities and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Montreal and the Mohawk communities of Kahnawake, Kanesatake and Akwesasne.

The small arsenal included two AK-47 and two M-16 assault rifles as well as $2 million in cash.

Police also seized luxury vehicles and about 110 kilograms of cannabis.

"We are surprised by the arms that were seized during the operation," Covey said.

Insp. Lino Maurizio of the Quebec provincial police told reporters about 30 suspects were arrested yesterday and members of the ring will charged with offences including gangsterism, drug trafficking and conspiracy.

They will also face charges of possession of prohibited weapons.

Ten of the suspects were arrested in Akwesasne, near Cornwall, Ont., eight in Kahnawake, south of Montreal, and one in the native community of Kanesetake.

The others were picked up in the Montreal area.

Gorden McGregor, president of Quebec's association of aboriginal community police chiefs, said a flood of drugs and money have caused serious harm to native communities.

"Imagine a little community when large amounts of money and drugs coming in like that, the trouble that comes with it," said McGregor.

"For us, our priority is drugs. Drug trafficking causes the biggest social problem in our communities."

"It's a problem that won't disappear very quickly," he added.

Maurizio says some of the drugs were grown in the Chateauguay and Mascouche regions surrounding Montreal.