The corner of Donegani and King was abuzz with police activity for hours Wednesday night, part of police raids on organized crime.
Police closed the area to traffic just before suppertime to conduct a drug operation with links to organized crime.
Officers from the provincial police assisted Montreal investigators and meticulously searched the premises of a small business at 66 Donegani Ave., combing through the inside of the building for clues.
David Castelli, 44, Shawn Russell, 41, David Manneh, 35, Evangeline Tyler Kosowan, 20, Dean Madden, 51, and Jo-Ann Mardinger, 48, were arrested and will face drugs and firearms charges.
Police seized 70 kilos of hashish and about 500 grams of cocaine as well as a variety of firearms. The ringleader is believed to have biker gang ties, according to a police press released issued Thursday afternoon.
Police spokesperson Anie Lemieux revealed Thursday morning that there were numerous search warrants in and around Montreal. Lemieux said the operation involved "organized crime-related raids on the island of Montreal and in the west end off island” and in other regions north of Laval.
The owner of a neighbouring business, who doesn’t want to be identified, said the business targeted by police on Donegani is a gym, which opened up last year. He also said he’s never noticed any suspicious activity and the gym owners never caused problems.
Police will reveal more information Thursday afternoon.
