LONGUEUIL POLICE, SQ TEAM UP IN HUGE BUST

Among 20 Arrested Is First Minor To Ever Be Charged In Quebec With Gangsterism

In their biggest investigation of organized crime, Longueuil police have dismantled a major drug trafficking ring, arresting more than 20 people, including the first minor in Quebec to be charged with gangsterism.

The drug ring operated out of most of the city's boroughs and in Brossard with street-level dealers selling at restaurants and bars, Chief Inspector Marc Rodier said. On a good night the ring - which police called the Garco organization - was able to make 100 transactions involving cocaine, crack and marijuana.

In the past five months police have seized more than $1.4 million worth of marijuana alleged to belong to the Garco ring.

More than 180 officers from Longueuil police and the Surete du Quebec took part in yesterday's operation. They arrested 21 people and were looking for two others. Those arrested included a 16-year-old male whose alleged involvement made him the first minor to be charged with working for the benefit of a criminal organization.

The police also executed eight search warrants at a business and
seven residences on the South Shore, seizing cash and vehicles. But,
Rodier added, there were a few surprises, including the discovery of
a badge reported stolen from a police force in Quebec this year and
riot gear that belonged to a police force outside the province.

"In terms of organized crime, this is our most important
investigation," Rodier said.

The Longueuil police force experienced an increase in personnel a
couple of years ago when several municipalities - and their police
departments - were required to merge into the Longueuil megacity.
That allowed the force to become part of the provincial organized
crime investigations bureau, partnering with law enforcement agencies
like the Surete and giving its investigators access to tools like
intelligence on organized crime.

Among those arrested yesterday was Stephane Guimond, 37, a Longueuil
resident alleged to be the ringleader. His criminal record dates back
to 1989 and includes convictions for assault and drug possession.

Guimond is an employee of a roofing company that shares the same name
as the criminal organization, police said.

According to provincial business records, the roofing firm is owned
by a woman related to Guimond. The company's vans could be seen
parked at two locations where police executed search warrants
yesterday, including a garage and a used-car dealership in the Old
Longueuil borough. The garage is owned by the same woman.

Regis Lefrancois, 30, and Michel Lapointe, 35, of St. Jean sur
Richelieu, were described by Rodier as lieutenants in the operation.
They and Guimond face charges of drug trafficking, conspiracy to
traffic in drugs, drug trafficking for the benefit of a criminal
organization, and with giving orders to other people to commit
criminal acts for a criminal organization.

About half the people arrested appeared in Quebec Court at the
Longueuil courthouse yesterday. The rest are to appear today.