MONTREAL - After a 15-hour operation, the Montreal police bomb squad has removed and neutralized 19 IEDs found Saturday in a residential district of Ahuntsic -Cartierville.

The operation ended at 4:30 a.m. Sunday as explosives were, one by one, neutralized using various techniques and specialized equipment, including a robot.

Police said they acted on a tip about suspicious packages.

The security perimeter, which forced the evacuation of about 50 homes at 9:30 Saturday morning, remained in place throughout the operation. Residents were able to return home at about 11 Sunday morning.

Neighbour Mohamed Benarab expressed concern.

"That might be enough to blow up the whole neighbourhood. Of course I'm concerned," he said.

"It was 24, a bad 24 hours of my life here," said another neighbour, Mohamed Alami. "My wife doesn't want to live here anymore."

Bomb technicians and investigators thoroughly searched the home on Robertine-Barry St. to collect evidence. Police confirmed that guns were found at the scene, but would not say what kinds of guns. They also seized computer hard drives.

An 18-year-old man was arrested Saturday morning in downtown Montreal in the matter. Upon interrogation, it was established that the young man, who has mental health issues, likely acted alone, therefore the bomb threat is also likely not connected to any criminal network. The IEDs were found inside his parents' basement apartment, where he lives.


Neighbours referred to the family as nice and quiet.

Investigators are working to determine why the young suspect might have made explosive devices by hand.

"For now what we know is probably he's suffering from mental illness he did not have any other suspect with him," said Montreal police spokesperson Danny Richer. "He was really alone."

The teen will be arraigned in court on Monday to face charges of possession of an explosive device, police confirm. They initially reported he would appear on Tuesday.

They also say he is cooperating with their investigation.

Evacuees were sent to a safe and comfortable place to stay for the night, care of the Red Cross.
 

With files from The Canadian Press