Quebec police seize nearly 100 stolen cars worth $6 million; 3 men charged

Photo taken on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (The Canadian Press/Christinne Muschi)

Three Quebec men have been charged after being arrested by Quebec provincial police following an investigation into an alleged network that smuggles stolen vehicles overseas.

Yan Couture-Savard, 35, of Montreal, 29-year-old Marc-André Ouellet, of Montreal, and 32-year-old Frederic Sawan, of Entrelac, Que., were arrested by the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) on Thursday before being charged.

Court records show that all three men are facing the same charges: two counts of possession of property obtained by crime and one count of laundering proceeds of crime.

The offences were allegedly committed between Dec. 14, 2022 and Jan. 16, 2023.

“The investigation led to the seizure of 94 stolen vehicles destined to be exported overseas, with a total value of $6,326,300,” the SQ said in a news release.

The arrests follow an investigation that began in the fall of 2022 and was based on information received from the public. The SQ operation was led by a joint team of officers from the Montreal area dedicated to the fight against the export of stolen vehicles overseas.

Border agency also seized dozens of stolen vehicles

The Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) has also been involved in efforts to intercept stolen vehicles.

In February, CBSA officers from the Montreal Marine and Rail Services handed over 88 stolen vehicles to police with an estimated value of almost $6.7 million.