Cocaine, guns and biker vests seized as police disrupt organized crime network

An inter-provincial police effort carried out coordinated raids targeting cocaine trafficking and organized crime with alleged Hells Angels ties.

Police in Quebec and New Brunswick have seized large quantities of drugs, cash, weapons and biker gang paraphernalia a part of a wide-ranging operation targeting organized crime groups.

Investigators said the operation resulted in the seizure of 15 kilograms of cocaine, more than $564,000 in cash, more than 50 cell phones, silver bars worth around $5,000, and multiple weapons and protective gear.

Among the other items seized were several vests bearing biker gang insignia, including those marked “Prospect HA Nomads, NB,” “Street Soldiers North Shore,” “Prospect HA TR,” and “Red Devils Maritimes.” Police also seized seven lon guns, two handguns, two bulletproof vests, three tasers, and approximately 500 THC vapes.

“We had this organization that was pretty involved in cocaine trafficking pretty much everywhere in Quebec and New Brunswick,” said Sergeant Louis-Philippe Ruel. “We have officers from the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), RCMP, and several municipal police forces taking part in the raids.”

Sniffer dogs and investigators from several police forces fanned out across Quebec and in New Brunswick as part of what police called a “vast operation.”

The National Organized Crime Enforcement Squad said it executed 17 search warrants targeting homes and another 17 targeting vehicles.

Police said the searches are part of an investigation that began more than two years ago. While no arrests were planned during this phase, officers say it represents one step in an ongoing and extensive probe.

Investigators allege the groups targeted have links to the Hells Angels biker gang and are being investigated for their role in a broader cocaine trafficking network.

Police are also examining whether the groups were used to “plant a flag” on behalf of the Hells Angels in certain regions to prevent rival gangs from moving into their territory.

The Hells Angels’ presence in Quebec dates back to the 1970s, but their dominance in the province’s organized crime world has been challenged by other groups in recent years. From 1994 to 2002, violent conflicts between Quebec biker gangs Hells Angels and Rock Machine resulted in 162 deaths.

Investigators say the organized crime landscape has changed significantly over the past few years, with a growing number of street gangs vying for control of the drug trade.

“Criminal organizations exist to make profits, and anywhere there is profit to be made, they will be there,” says Ruel. “We are working against these cocaine trafficking rings to shut them down.”

Quebec Public Security Minister Ian Lafreniere praised police efforts online, congratulating officers for continuing to apply pressure on organized crime groups.