Police raids result in more than 1,600 pounds of cocaine cutting material

After raiding five businesses and a residence, Quebec police seized material used to cut cocaine and other materials. (SQ)

After searches across the Greater Montreal area, Quebec police say they seized more than 1,600 pounds of material used to cut cocaine, as well as other drug-trafficking-related items.

The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) said in a news release that it conducted five searches of businesses in Montreal, Longueuil, Boucherville, Granby and Chambly, as well as a residence in Brossard.

The goal, police say, was to find lidocaine, which is used to cut cocaine.

Police seized the following:

• More than 730 kg (1,610 lbs) of lidocaine;
• Approximately 200 gr of cannabis;
• More than $215,000 in Canadian currency;
• Nine silver bars,
• Two gold bars,
• 13 gold ingots with a total value of nearly $450,000;
• Jewelry and luxury watches with a total value of $200,000;
• 56 presses;
• A luxury vehicle.

Police also placed liens on eight properties worth about $6 million.

“In connection with the laundering of proceeds of crime, the targeted businesses were closed for the duration of the police operations,” the SQ said in a news release.

There were no arrests, but the SQ said that several individuals could face charges of illegal drug production, money laundering and receiving stolen goods.

More than 65 officers from the SQ, as well as Longueuil, Richelieu-Saint-Laurent, Granby and Montreal police forces were involved.