CBC.ca

Drug raids on Mohawk territories lead to arrests

Wed Mar 26, 11:00 AM

More than 300 police officers raided Mohawk territories in Quebec, eastern Ontario and New York State Wednesday morning, arresting suspects in a drug smuggling ring, police said. The raids were conducted by provincial police, RCMP, Mohawk Peace Keepers, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Warrants had been issued for the arrests of 30 people, but not all have been detained yet, police said.

"The operation was targeting a criminal organization that was involved in traffic and exportation of drugs toward the United States," said RCMP Const. Charles Vallee.

Vallee said the drug ring was based on the Kahnawake Mohawk reserve just south of Montreal.

Police allege the suspects were smuggling marijuana across the border into the U.S.

Arrests were made in Montreal, Kahnawake, Kanesatake, and on the Akwesasne territory, which spans the borders between Quebec, Ontario and New York near Cornwall, Ont.

Vallee said the arrests followed an investigation instigated by the Aboriginal Combined Forces Special Investigation Unit.

"The involvement of the Kahnawake Mohawk Peace Keepers has played a key role in the operation," he said.

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