Members of a drug trafficking network affiliated with the Hells Angels'The flooding of the Plateau-Mont-Royal sector with cocaine was sent to prison on Monday, with sentences between'one to five years in prison.
“In addition, two firearms, other prohibited weapons, ammunition of various calibers and bulletproof jackets, as well as almost $800,000 in cash were confiscated,” Montreal police warned during the dismantling of the network in 2021.
Photo courtesy of SPVM
And on Monday, three years later, the verdict came down in the Montreal courthouse: Jonathan Papillon, Alexandre Desgagné, Samuel Fagnant and Melyssa Paquet Dugas, all aged 28 to 36, had to go to the cells.
According to authorities, the drug network, which is said to be linked to criminal bikers, was active from March to June 2020 and had an impact not only in Montreal, but also in Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie.
Large stocks
Although the group had hoped to remain discreet, it had attracted the attention of police, who had carried out several surveillance operations. Drug transactions could be observed.
And when the police raided a few months later, the quantities of narcotics seized quickly showed that these were not small players, but a group capable of selling large stocks of narcotics.
In addition to 20 kg of cocaine worth $1.4 million, 218,000 methamphetamine pills were also found.
Photo courtesy of SPVM
During further searches, the police found several kilos of cocaine and tens of thousands of drug tablets.
Photo courtesy of SPVM
Different sentences
Since the members of the quartet were criminally charged, they were expected to face a lengthy trial this year, but instead each member of the group chose to plead guilty and each received a sentence negotiated with the Crown.
“The negotiations were very close,” Me Laurence Lavoie told the court, reiterating that the outcome of the case made it possible to exempt a judge for two months since the trial no longer had to take place.
Of the group, Papillon is the one who received the longest sentence. However, since he has been imprisoned since the beginning of the trial, he only has the equivalent of six months left.
Fagnant was sentenced to 36 months in prison. One report said he acted for financial reasons at the time, but has since gotten back on track and has a legitimate job and family plans.
Desgagné was sentenced to 15 months in prison, while Paquet Dugas must remain in his own home for a year.
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