COPS ECSTATIC OVER DRUG BUST

Raids in Montreal, Quebec City. Alleged ringleaders of trafficking
network have links to Hells Angels, police say

Police dismantled a major drug-trafficking network early yesterday,
arresting 30 people in a series of dawn raids in Quebec City and Montreal.

About 450 officers from eight police forces seized large quantities of
ecstacy pills and cocaine while executing search warrants on 30 homes
and businesses - five in the Montreal area and 25 in the Quebec City
region.

"This was a big bust. We got the ringleaders," said Francois Bisson, a
spokesperson for the Levis municipal police force, which took part in
the raid. "It wasn't like we just arrested small drug dealers on the
street."

The Surete du Quebec and the RCMP were also involved in the
raid.

Michel Guerin and Steve Brown, two suspects alleged to be among the
ringleaders, have links to the Hells Angels biker gang, police said.

Police began investigating the drug network in April, when they shut
down a laboratory that was manufacturing large quantities of ecstacy.

"We got some information at that time and have worked on it ever
since," Bisson said.

Bisson said it was difficult to say what effect the raids would have
on the drug scene in the Quebec City region.

"We got some of the major players, so I am sure there will be some
impact," he said.

This year, police also seized guns and about $1 million in cash
belonging to the drug-case suspects.

In a parallel investigation, Revenue Quebec said yesterday it had
seized assets, including houses and 50 cars, owned by 20 of the
arrested men in an attempt to recoup about $10 million in unpaid taxes.