Five individuals who would be part of an “important organized and structured criminal network” specialized in the export of stolen vehicles were arrested on Wednesday morning, as part of an operation qualified as “major” by the authorities.
The five apprehended suspects, aged 40 to 69, were met by the investigators, then released by summons.
They are suspected of being part of an active criminal organization not only in Quebec and Ontario, but also elsewhere in Canada.
“The operation was aimed at dismantling a group of criminals who are suspected of organizing and orchestrating the export of stolen vehicles intended for foreigners. We are talking about high -level individuals. This is the demonstration that there are no borders in the collaboration between the police forces and the other partners in the fight against the theft of vehicles, “said Commander Pierre-Marc Houle, head of the investigative section of the South Region of the Montreal Police Service.
The survey in this file was started 16 months ago, in February 2024. During this investigation, the police were able to recover 199 stolen vehicles intended for the overseas export representing an estimated total value of almost $ 23 million.
Wednesday’s operation was carried out jointly with the Royal Canadian Gendarmerie and the Canadian Border Services Agency.
Other arrests could take place later.
