The Sureté du Quebec says it has broken up a crime ring that stole heavy equipment and machinery, and trafficked in drugs.
About 200 police officers conducted raids early Wednesday morning on the South Shore, in Laval and in and around Montreal.
Police arrested 19 people including Patrick and Steve Daraiche, the owner of the Metaux St. Jean scrapyard and his brother.
Police said the Daraiche brothers were the ringleaders of a group that stole big trucks and tore them down in order to resell parts.
Investigators say it was a very organized network.
"The parts were being stolen to put on other stolen vehicles or to recover the metal," said SQ investigator Eric Stevens.
Police said they received many tips from the public as they conducted their three-year investigation into the ring.
In addition to dealing in stolen parts, the family was also dealing drugs, according to police.
Officers seized $3 million worth cocaine, as well as firearms, 500 marijuana plants, and about 10 kg of cannabis.
"We seized 65 kilos of cocaine that were hidden in a truck that was actually in the garage," said Stevens.
Police found about two dozen stolen trucks on the lot, several in the process of being dismantled.
The 19 people arrested Wednesday face charges of theft, selling stolen property, drug trafficking and more.
List of the accused and their responsibilties, according to police
- Patrick Daraiche, ringleader
- Steven Daraiche, Marijuana cultivation
- Vanessa Lamperon, Marijuana cultivation
- Martine Paré, Marijuana cultivation
- Guy Lebrun, Marijuana cultivation
- Celine Bazinet, Marijuana cultivation
- Alain Guilbault, Marijuana cultivation
- Sylvie Blay, Marijuana cultivation
- Jacques Mann, Marijuana cultivation
- Frank Mastroguiseppe, Marijuana cultivation
- Louis Audet, Marijuana cultivation
- Jean Ferdais, Marijuana cultivation
- Louis-Philippe Letendre, Marijuana trafficking
- Remi Gaudreault, Marijuana trafficking
- Patrick St-Germain, selling stolen vehicles
