13 arrested as RCMP raids 'suspected criminal organization' in Montreal
The RCMP arrested 13 people and raided several locations in the Montreal area Tuesday in a major operation targeting a suspect criminal organization.
During the raids, police shattered a window at Bar Lily's on Fleury Street East. It was one of several locations targeted in the raids that involved nearly 400 officers.
RCMP spokesperson Charles Poirier said officers searched four businesses in total, as well as 16 residences and two vehicles.
The RCMP-led operation is in partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency and Montreal police. Poirier said it stems from an investigation from its Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit.
"This investigation targets an alleged criminal organization that operates here in Montreal, and the infractions that are being investigated are cocaine trafficking, money laundering and illegal gambling," he said.
While the RCMP did not name the organization, La Presse's organized crime and police reporter, Daniel Renaud, says it involves the Lopez-Oliverio clan, which is part of the Calabrian clan of the Montreal Mafia.
"We know that the Lopezs are involved in drug trafficking. Remember, in 2015, three brothers of the Lopez family were arrested," Renaud told CTV News.
The RCMP conducts a "major operation" against a "suspected criminal organization" in Montreal. (Xavier Duranleau/CTV News)
Former Montreal police detective Pietro Poletti says the family has been active for the past 30 to 35 years.
Poletti said they are the "top five families, I would say, especially in Canada, with strong connections in South America, Dominican Republic."
According to Renaud, two Lopez brothers were taken into custody. The RCMP did not identify any of the suspects on Tuesday.
"Some of them have been brought to the RCMP headquarters in Westmount, while others have been brought to SPVM police headquarters for questioning," Poirier said.
Poirier says it's unlikely anyone will be charged following these raids because the national police force is still in the middle of its investigation, but hopes charges could be laid in the future.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Slovakia's populist prime minister shot multiple times in attempted assassination
Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico is in life-threatening condition after being wounded in a shooting after a political event Wednesday afternoon, according to his Facebook profile.
Transport Canada's UFO 'lead' planned to meet with U.S. intel officials, called info requests a 'wild goose chase'
Canada's transportation department had a UFO 'lead' who tried to 'quell' media interest and planned to meet with U.S. intelligence officials.
'Very expensive lunch': Sask. driver handed a cell phone ticket for using points app in McDonald's drive-thru
A warning from a Saskatoon driver about using your fast-food app while in the drive-thru line — a trip to get some free lunch cost him a lot more than he bargained for.
'The Fly' has become notorious in France after a brazen escape. What's his criminal history?
A prisoner nicknamed “The Fly” has become notorious in France overnight after a daring and bloody escape from a prison convoy in Normandy that left two guards dead.
BREAKING Ontario's 'crypto king' Aiden Pleterski arrested
Aiden Pleterski, the self-proclaimed 'crypto king' from Whitby, Ont., has been arrested in Durham Region after allegedly running a Ponzi scheme worth more than $40 million.
BREAKING Barge hits a bridge in Texas, damaging the structure and causing an oil spill
A barge hit a bridge in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, spilling oil into surrounding waters and closing the only road to a small island, officials said.
Person responsible for 1996 drugging of 'Titanic' crew likely not a local: Halifax police
Halifax Regional Police believe a non-resident could be responsible for the infamous drugging of numerous crew members of the 'Titanic' movie with a hallucinogenic in 1996.
Latest updates on the biggest wildfires burning in Canada
Thousands of people in Western Canada remain displaced from their homes as wildfires threaten their communities, triggering evacuation orders and alerts.
OPINION Your attention span is shrinking, studies say. Here's how to stay focused: Sandee LaMotte
Regaining your focus requires you to be mindful of how you are using technology -- a daunting task if you consider the average American spends at least 10 hours a day on screens.