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March 27, 2008

Police bust reported drug ring

US, Canadian agencies seize cash, arms in raid

By PETER RAKOBOWCHUK

MONTREAL -- Police seized weapons including three grenade launchers Wednesday during raids on a network accused of moving Quebec pot to the United States through Mohawk territory.

A senior RCMP official says he was taken aback by the arms cache found during Wednesday's bust.

"This isn't something you stumble across in every investigation," Supt. Steve Covey said.

Covey said police had no idea what the grenade launchers were going to be used for.

The heavy-duty weapons including several assault rifles were rounded up by 300 police officers who targeted Montreal and three aboriginal communities.

Raids were carried out by the Mounties, Quebec provincial police, Mohawk authorities and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Montreal and the Mohawk communities of Kahnawake, Kanesatake and Akwesasne.

The small arsenal included two AK-47 and two M-16 assault rifles as well as $2 million in cash. Police also seized luxury vehicles and about 110 kilograms of cannabis.

"We are surprised by the arms that were seized during the operation," Covey told The Canadian Press.

Insp. Lino Maurizio of the Quebec provincial police told reporters about 30 suspects were arrested Wednesday and members of the ring will be charged with offences including gangsterism, drug trafficking and conspiracy.

They will also face charges of possession of prohibited weapons.

Ten of the suspects were arrested in Akwesasne, near Cornwall, Ont., eight in Kahnawake, south of Montreal, and one in the native community of Kanesetake.

The others were picked up in the Montreal area.

Ray Brook-based State Police said two area residents -- Tara Cree, 32, of St. Regis Falls, and Nate Chubb, 22, of Hogansburg -- were arrested during the raid. Information on specific charges was not available Wednesday afternoon.

Gorden McGregor, president of Quebec's Association of Aboriginal Community Police Chiefs, said a flood of drugs and money have caused serious harm to native communities.

"Imagine a little community when large amounts of money and drugs are coming in like that, the trouble that comes with it," said McGregor.

"For us, our priority is drugs. Drug trafficking causes the biggest social problem in our communities."

"It's a problem that won't disappear very quickly," he added.

Maurizio said some of the drugs were grown in the Chateauguay and Mascouche regions surrounding Montreal.

Authorities at the news conference sang the praises of the Aboriginal Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, which was set up in 2004.

It was created to fight criminal organizations operating on Quebec's aboriginal territories that took advantage of their geographic locations.

Covey also said the partnership between aboriginal police and other police authorities has improved greatly in recent years.

Covey said the initiative has allowed authorities to take down some major criminal organizations.

McGregor agreed that the partnership would not have been possible years ago.

"I've lived for the past four years working very hard to make sure this unit works together and sticks together," he said.

to this report.

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