SQ operation into illegal production and distribution of cannabis in Montérégie

The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) made several arrests in connection to the production and distribution of illegal cannabis in Montérégie on Tuesday.

The SQ worked alongside Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu police (SPSJSR) and Longueuil police (SPAL).

According to police, searches were carried out at various sites in September 2023, where individuals linked to organized crime were allegedly producing cannabis using Health Canada registration certificates – which made their products seem legal.

More than 200 police officers worked on this investigation.

“Coordinated by the Ministère de la Sécurité publique, the ACCES Cannabis programme (Actions Concerted Action to Counter Underground Economies) is a government initiative introduced in 2018 to combat cannabis smuggling at all stages of the supply chain, from illegal production to supply chain, from illegal production to neighbourhood smuggling, throughout Quebec,” reads a press release.

Their goal is to promote the “integrity” of Quebec’s tax system by reducing access to cannabis for younger people and guide consumers towards the legal market.