Place Versailles police showdown triggers massive drug bust

The Place Versailles mall parking lot is a huge space which covers the equivalent of several city blocks. (Image Bing Maps)

MONTREAL - Eleven suspects are behind bars Thursday after a drug deal stakeout that began like something out of an action movie.

Police, watching an exchange of drugs in the Place Versailles parking lot, were suddenly faced with a car barreling right at them at a high speed.

An officer blasted a shot at the car but no harm was done and he only suffered minor injury as the fleeing car sped away past him.

Police were soon in hot pursuit after the three suspects in the vehicle and soon managed to arrest them.

The incident triggered four separate raids in an effort to tackle the same drug ring.

Arrests were made in Napierville, Saint Denis sur Richelieu, Saint Basile and McMasterville early Thursday.

Eleven were arrested all told and 30,000 tablets of synthetic drugs as well as ketamine, cocaine and marijuana.

Police also seized a firearm and a taser.

The suspects consist of nine men and two women, one of whom is a minor.

They will face charges of production and drug trafficking, conspiracy, assault and possession of a prohibited weapon, among others.