As many as 150 police officers swooped down on a chain of Quebec window-tinting suppliers Wednesday to dismantle an alleged drug and intimidation ring.
The SQ and local police services raided shops in several areas including Montreal, Repentigny, Mascouche and Trois-Rivieres. They arrested 27 people Wednesday morning and had warrants out for three more as part of Operation Dictature (Dictatorship). It was targeting a window-tinting business, X- Vitre Tinte
The alleged ringleader, Yannick Larose, was still being sought and was believed to be in Mexico, the SQ said.
The suspects are accused of trying to take over rival suppliers through threats and extortion, the Surete du Quebec said in a statement.
Suspects face 140 charges including extortion, drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and gangsterism. The suspects were to be arraigned by video conference Wednesday from SQ headquarters in Montreal.
Busy week
It's been a busy start to the week for Quebec police.
On Tuesday, more than 300 police officers dismantled a marijuana operation based in the Mohawk community of Kanesatake, northwest of Montreal.
