Montreal police seize more than 100 kg of cocaine, 3 guns in ‘major’ anti-gang bust

A Montreal police car is seen in Montreal on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Montreal police arrested three suspects and seized 102 kilograms of cocaine in what the force describes as a “major” raid by the anti-gang unit of the organized crime section.

Two additional suspects are still being sought by the police following a series of searches on Monday in Lachine, LaSalle, Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Ville-Marie, Saint-Laurent, and in the city of Lorraine.

The massive amount of cocaine that was seized is worth more than $2.3 million, police said in a news release on Wednesday. Officers also recovered approximately 5 kilograms of heroin, 20 litres of GHB, $306,000 in cash, three firearms, and two vehicles.

“Launched in July 2025, this criminal investigation revealed that the Toronto area was being used as a supply source and that the drugs were then being resold at a higher price in Greater Montreal,” police said in the release.

Police arrested Michele Laddaga, 49, Victor Julio Sanchez Medrano, 45, and 38-year-old Lenin Garcia Ciriaco during the operation. Garcia Ciriaco is a former UFC fighter who went by the nickname “The Dominican Nightmare.”

Laddaga faces charges of drug trafficking and possession, while the other two suspects are charged with drug trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime.

2 suspects on the run

Arrest warrants have been issued for the two remaining suspects: Rattana Sem, 40, and his partner, Véronique Plouffe, 37. Anyone with information about their whereabouts is asked to contact 911 or their local police station.

People can also report information anonymously and confidentially to Info-Crime Montreal by calling 514-393-1133. Police say rewards of up to $5,000 may be offered for information leading to the arrest of suspects.