Police raid two homes

Four locals were charged this week following a major police operation in Kanesatake on Tuesday targeting illegal weapons and organized crime.

Two residential addresses on Rang Ste. Philomene were searched in the raids, yielding drugs, guns, and stolen cars, according to the Surete du Quebec (SQ).

The haul included around 150 grams of cocaine and 6,000 methamphetamine tablets, according to police, along with three stolen vehicles and 10 guns, including an assault weapon.

The raids were coordinated by the SQ and executed by the Integrated Weapons Trafficking Team (EILTA).

“It’s an operation that we have to plan very carefully,” said Marc Tessier, a spokesperson for the SQ. “We imagine every scenario possible. The information that I have is that we did the raid early (Tuesday) morning and everything ran smooth as possible. No incident, no one resisted or something like that.”

To avoid leaks, nobody was given a heads up, according to Tessier.

“When the place was secured and people were arrested, we did call the mayors and the band council to let them know what was going and what we’re focusing on,” said Tessier. “We’re focusing on arms, hard drugs, and illegal cars.”

MCK chief Serge Otsi Simon received a text message early Tuesday informing him of the raids.

“I think it’s a bad sign of the status of our community, where we are. Due to the crown’s neglect, and I’ll always say this, because of the crown’s neglect of the security of our band, it’s made it too easy for people to engage in this kind of activity,” he said, drawing a distinction with community members in the cannabis industry who are doing things, as he puts it, the right way.

“This is only my personal view, but I have no problem with the SQ conducting this kind of operation because in the end it’s this kind of activity that leads to suppressing our community members and their right to a peaceful and free community.”

Samuel Lemay, 44, is charged with three counts of contravening storage regulations for a firearm, two counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm, and one count of possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition

Martin Larente, 47, is facing two counts of possession of property obtained by crime/obliterated vehicle identification number.

Larente and Valerie Joncas, 21, are both facing two charges of possession for purpose of trafficking, possession of illicit cannabis, and three counts of contravening storage regulations for a firearm.

Patrick Larente, 46, is facing charges of possession for purpose of trafficking, possession of ammunition contrary to order, and three counts of possession of property obtained by crime/obliterated vehicle identification number.

Another woman, 40, was arrested during the raids, but was promptly released. It is yet to be determined whether she will face charges, according to police.

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Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter