Police crack down on illicit drugs in Montreal, with raids in South Shore, arrests in West Island
Police in Montreal performed several raids and arrested multiple people as part of an operation to crack down on the distribution of illicit drugs.
Longueuil police (SPAL) raided five locations in Saint-Hubert, Chambly, Carignan and Montreal early Tuesday morning, working to disband an alleged methamphetamine and cocaine drug ring on the island of Montreal and the South Shore.
"There have been no arrests so far, and none expected right now," police spokesperson Eric Courcy told CTV News.
He adds the sweeps are part of the second phase of a SPAL operation; police searched three other sites in June.
Courcy confirmed 75 officers from Longueuil police were involved in the drug busts.
Earlier this month, Montreal police (SPVM) confirmed it arrested three people in the West Island and seized $2.5 million-worth of synthetic drugs and opiates.
This was part of an operation targeting “a very active drug trafficking cell,” according to a news release by the force.
Two of the arrested suspects, Charles Laberge, 25, and Michael Eustache, 56, appeared at the Montreal courthouse and are facing various charges related to drug possession and trafficking.
Searches conducted in the borough of L'Île-Bizard-Sainte-Geneviève resulted in the seizure of 165,000 Xanax tablets, 29,000 methamphetamine tablets, 1 kg of metonitazene, as well as various quantities of cocaine, Ativan, Diazepam, amphetamines, isotonitazene, MDMA and crystal methamphetamine, police said.
In addition, officers found a .45 calibre pistol and $105,000 in cash at the scene.
Montreal police notes the seizure of metonitazene is a first in Quebec. It is a synthetic opiate first detected in Canada in 2020.
Courcy adds the raids occurred following information given to police by "the public" last March.
Montreal police also issued a warning stating drugs such as metonitazene and Xanax have a very high dependency rate and can lead to accidental overdoses.
The use of Xanax is of particular concern, the force says, “given its popularity among youth.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Police in Paris detain a man wearing fake explosives vest at Iran's Consulate
A man wearing a fake explosive vest and making threats was detained Friday outside the Iranian Consulate in Paris after police locked down the area, authorities said. His motive was unclear.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.