It was the smell of marijuana floating in the air that ultimately sank three suspected drug traffickers from Terrebonne, in whose homes the police also discovered numerous firearms.
The investigation into this file was indeed initiated last May, when citizens informed the police that a smell of cannabis emanated from a single-family residence on rue Ludovic-Pépin.
Local residents had obtained a medical production permit from Health Canada, but investigators determined that some of the cannabis produced was being sold illegally on the black market.
Armed with warrants, the police carried out searches on Tuesday in three residences, one in Terrebonne and two in Laval.
These searches led in particular to the seizure of more than 270 cannabis plants, more than 22 kg of cannabis in bulk ready to be sold, 1.3 kg of hashish, 45 kg of cannabis leaves, 11 firearms, several magazines, more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition, a Taser gun and nearly $10,000 in cash.
The three suspects arrested in the operation have been released and might now face various drug and firearm charges.
“These searches once once more demonstrate the lack of control and rigor in connection with the issuance of permits by Health Canada authorizing the production of cannabis,” lamented the deputy director of the Terrebonne/Sainte-Anne- des-Plaines/Bois-des-Filion, Éric Hallé.
For several years, many individuals from organized crime have been cultivating cannabis completely legally following obtaining a permit from Health Canada, but sell their goods on the black market.
