Québec City, June 16, 2009 –A joint police operation resulted in the dismantling this morning of a criminal organization based in the Québec City area and involved in the production and trafficking of phencyclidine, commonly known as PCP. More than fifty federal, provincial and Aboriginal police officers joined forces to disrupt this criminal network that engaged in the production of PCP in Québec City and its distribution mainly in Aboriginal communities on the North Shore. A total of 26 individuals were arrested as part of this investigation.
This operation is the police response to numerous complaints received concerning a public safety issue related to large quantities of PCP found in some Aboriginal communities that originated from outside the area.
The investigation, called Project Calorie, was initiated in 2007. It revealed that a criminal organization headed by non-Aboriginals, which was operating in Château-Richer near Québec City, produced PCP locally and then distributed the drugs in a number of Aboriginal territories in eastern Québec with the help of local associates. The communities of Wendake (Québec City), Betsiamite (Baie-Comeau), Uashat and Maliotenam (Sept-Îles) and Matimekosh (Schefferville) were the main targets of this criminal network.
A two-pronged round-up operation was conducted, in Québec City and on the North Shore, to put an end to the activities of this organization.
A first series of arrests were made on May 6, 2009 in Québec City against the producers of this very harmful drug. Officers of the Québec City RCMP Drug Section and members of the Aboriginal Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (A-CFSEU) arrested ten suspects, including seven who were charged under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
These arrests made as part of the ongoing investigation took place only a few hours after a PCP laboratory was uncovered in a wooded area in Château-Richer as a result of an active search. The lab was discovered in the vicinity of an isolated cabin owned by one of the accused.
In addition to the search that led to the discovery of a large quantity of PCP undergoing final transformation before being sold on the street, five other search warrants were executed in the Québec City area during the first phase of the investigation. An indoor cannabis grow operation containing 345 plants was also uncovered in the residence of one of the accused.
Seven persons were charged in the first phase:
Éric Paradis 37 Château-Richer
Zélia Rock Picard 28 Château-Richer
Kathia Tremblay 42 Château-Richer
Alain Duclos 44 Château-Richer
Simon Lamontagne 37 Château-Richer
Julie Romain 29 Québec City
Roch Rousseau 45 Québec City
They appeared in court in Québec City in May 2009 to face charges of drug production and conspiracy of drug trafficking. Five of the seven accused remained in custody while the other two were released on conditions.
The investigation continued and led the officers into a second phase which culminated with the arrests made this morning in Québec City and some Aboriginal territories on the North Shore. The purpose of this second series of arrests was to dismantle the PCP distribution network. Some sixteen individuals were arrested, of which seven have been criminally charged until now.
The accused in the second phase of Project Calorie are:
Léger Noël Régis 51 Uashat
Marie-Andrée Roch24 Québec City
Lucie Roch 33 Québec City
Lise-Andrée Jourdain 34 Maliotenam
Alexandre Schécanapish 26 Uashat
John Schécanapish 26 Uashat
Carol-Anne Vollant –Desterre 22 Maliotenam
Charges of drug trafficking, drug possession and conspiracy were filed against the suspects arrested in the second phase of the investigation. More charges could be laid against all the individuals arrested.
It should be noted that PCP is a harmful drug, used mainly in Aboriginal territories in eastern Québec. PCP also leads to antisocial and violent behaviour which puts the lives of users and those around them at risk. The unpredictable behaviour of those using this substance is associated to tragic events that led to suicides, assaults with a weapon, and other acts of violence.
To ensure the success of Project Calorie, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Sûreté du Québec joined forces with First Nations Police. Aboriginal officers of the Wendake, Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam and Pessamit First Nations Police Services collaborated closely on the investigation. The Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit (IPOC) was also asked to assist in Project Calorie by seizing property owned by members of this criminal network that was allegedly derived from proceeds of crime. The IPOC’s investigation is still ongoing.
The police partners involved in Project Calorie are engaged in the fight against criminal organizations operating on Quebec's Aboriginal territories. Their mission is to identify the structure of crime cells and their ties with existing criminal organizations, and to investigate, dismantle and prosecute organizations that are detrimental to the interests of Aboriginal communities.
The success of Project Calorie is not only measured in terms of the calibre of the people apprehended, considering their experience and skills in advancing organized crime, but also in the quality of their relationships within Aboriginal communities enabling them to engage in criminal activity.
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For information:
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Communications Office
514-939-8308
