Hells Angels targeted in early morning raids in Quebec, New Brunswick

A total of32 people were arrested in a series of early morning raids on Thursday targeting drug-trafficking networks in eastern Quebec and New Brunswick with alleged ties to the Hells Angels.

The raids, conducted by theSret du Qubec, were carried out in 20 different communities across the two provinces, including in the Lower St. Lawrence region, the Gasp and the Magdalen Islands.

The SQ says that, in a period of just four months, the trafficking network brought in $2.4 million, of which $250,000 was given directly to the Hells Angels as a distribution tax.

"The Hells control the territory and allowed networks to sell drugs. Those networks then paida tax based onthequantityof drugs sold," SQspokespersonInsp.Guy Lapointe said at a news conference in Quebec City.

"The Hells Angels have amonopoly, which they maintain with a regime of fear, violence and with their colours."

Among those arrested wereprominent members of the New Brunswick Hells Angels chapter, police say.

They are still searching for four other alleged participants in the network.

The people who were arrested today will appear in the courthouses of the Magdalen Islands,Perc,Rimouskiand Quebec City.

Among the objects police seized were:

• Six kilograms of cocaine.
• More than 232,000 methamphetamine tablets.
• More than $640,000.
• 23 firearms.
• Three vehicles.
• Eight vests with Hells Angels insignia.

Officers from the SQ's organized crime squad and its North Shore branch were involved in the raids, she said.

The operation,launched in August 2018, is called the Oursin project. More than 150 police officers participated in the investigations.