Pubdate: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 Source: Montreal Gazette (CN QU) Copyright: 2005 The Gazette, a division of Southam Inc. Contact: http://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgazette/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/274 Author: Katherine Wilton Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?188 (Outlaw Bikers) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture) COPS ECSTATIC OVER DRUG BUST Raids in Montreal, Quebec City. Alleged ringleaders of trafficking network have links to Hells Angels, police say Police dismantled a major drug-trafficking network early yesterday, arresting 30 people in a series of dawn raids in Quebec City and Montreal. About 450 officers from eight police forces seized large quantities of ecstacy pills and cocaine while executing search warrants on 30 homes and businesses - five in the Montreal area and 25 in the Quebec City region. "This was a big bust. We got the ringleaders," said Francois Bisson, a spokesperson for the Levis municipal police force, which took part in the raid. "It wasn't like we just arrested small drug dealers on the street." The Surete du Quebec and the RCMP were also involved in the raid. Michel Guerin and Steve Brown, two suspects alleged to be among the ringleaders, have links to the Hells Angels biker gang, police said. Police began investigating the drug network in April, when they shut down a laboratory that was manufacturing large quantities of ecstacy. "We got some information at that time and have worked on it ever since," Bisson said. Bisson said it was difficult to say what effect the raids would have on the drug scene in the Quebec City region. "We got some of the major players, so I am sure there will be some impact," he said. This year, police also seized guns and about $1 million in cash belonging to the drug-case suspects. In a parallel investigation, Revenue Quebec said yesterday it had seized assets, including houses and 50 cars, owned by 20 of the arrested men in an attempt to recoup about $10 million in unpaid taxes. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin