Pubdate: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 Source: Globe and Mail (Canada) Copyright: 2005, The Globe and Mail Company Contact: http://www.globeandmail.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168 Author: Rheal Seguin BUST SHATTERED DRUG NETWORK, QUEBEC POLICE SAY Authorities implicate Hells Angels in ring QUEBEC -- Quebec police say they have dismantled a major drug network linked to the Hells Angels biker gang after raids yesterday that led to the arrests of more than 40 people, including those accusing of being the leading figures of the Eastern Quebec drug trafficking ring. "This is a major bust, not so much for the quantities of drugs seized but because we arrested all the leaders of the drug ring," said Surete du Quebec investigator Richard Gagne. "By dismantling the supply and distribution network, it strikes a blow to the narcotics trade in the region." More than 450 police were involved in the raids, which began early yesterday morning in about 20 municipalities. Most of the arrests took place in the Quebec City region, and involved individuals accused of having connections to the trafficking of cocaine, methamphetamines and ecstasy. The police operation began in December of 2003, and police had seized drugs before yesterday's arrests. For instance, in the Portneuf region near Quebec City, police had raided a laboratory that had enough chemicals to produce two million methamphetamine pills having a street value of $40-million to $50-million. At other locations, the equivalent of $1.5-million of cocaine was seized, as well as $1-million in cash and 50 firearms. The RCMP, Quebec provincial police, Quebec City police and other municipal police forces co-operated in the investigation, dubbed Operation Despot. Similar units were set up in Montreal, the Eastern Townships and Western Quebec in attempts to dismantle drug-trafficking rings throughout the province. Mr. Gagne said the Quebec City regional network was set up with the approval of the Hells Angels, whose Quebec City chapter was dismantled after a police operation more than two years ago. The prosecution of the members of the Hells Angels helped end a bloody seven-year war that began in the late 1990s between rival biker gangs that resulted in 27 killings. "The drug-ring leaders were paying a commission to the Hells Angels for the right to traffic drugs in the region," Mr. Gagne said. "These are individuals who are not members of the biker gang but established close ties to set up their network." Among those arrested were Michel Guerin of Quebec City and Denis Marcoux, whom police accuse of leading the alleged ring. The 40 people arrested face charges including drug trafficking, conspiracy and gangsterism. As well, police seized at least 22 vehicles and other property belonging to the alleged drug dealers. Police acknowledged that although the arrests will seriously undermine drug trafficking in the region, the dismantling of the drug network will lead to the emergence of another. However, the arrests appear to indicate that police techniques have become more sophisticated and more efficient and prevent the kind of violent confrontations between gangs that previously characterized the drug war in Quebec. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh