More than 30 people arrested as multiple Quebec police forces crack down on gang and organized crime violence

Sûreté du Québec (SQ) and other police forces report that over 30 people have been arrested since they launched a large-scale operation last Friday to crack down on gang and organized crime violence in the province – particularly the Quebec City and Montreal regions.

They conducted nearly 40 searches, seizing firearms, high-capacity magazines, and drugs, as well as evidence relating to the events.

At least three people were arrested Friday after a man was killed and three were injured in a hostage-taking last week in a small community near Quebec City, and police say other people linked to the conflict have been kidnapped and tortured.

On Feb. 22, a 28-year-old man from Saguenay, 200 km north of Quebec City, was found in Montreal’s Rosemont with his finger and toe cut off, after a possible kidnapping linked to drug trafficking.

Just a few days before, a 28 year-old man was killed in a drive-by shooting in Little Italy and is said to be the brother of a gang leader in Montreal, Jean-Philippe Célestin. The brothers were reportedly linked to Gregory Woolley, a man who was killed in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, south of Montreal, in November. Woolley was affiliated with the Hells Angels, with ties to the Italian mafia.

The Service de police de la Ville de Québec (SPVQ), the Service de police de la Ville de Lévis (SPVL) and the Service de police de Saguenay (SPSS) were all involved in the CENTAURE strategy operation over the last few days.

The CENTAURE strategy was created to put constant pressure on organized crime while actively fighting gun violence in Quebec.

Police officers from many units are continuing their work in the field.

Citizens can help by reporting suspicious or criminal activity confidentially to the SQ’s criminal information centre at 1-800-659-4264 or to the SPVQ’s 641-AGIR (2447) line.