Woman and 8 men charged in Hells Angels-linked drug investigation
Nine people from New Brunswick have been charged in connection with an investigation into cocaine trafficking linked to the Hells Angels, say RCMP.
The eight men and one woman, aged 35 to 65, all appeared in Bathurst provincial court on Wednesday to face a variety of drug-related charges, under a heavy police presence.
They were arrested in various locations in the northeastern part of the province on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of Operation J-Thunder, which started in November 2016, said Cpl. Jullie Rogers-Marsh.
None of the accused are members of the Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gang, but police believe they are linked to outlaw motorcycle gangs in New Brunswick and Quebec, she said.
Éric Degrâce, 43, of Évangéline, Marcel Friolet, 58, of Allardville, and Danny Smith, 45, also of Allardville, who are each facing eight charges, remain remanded in custody after the Crown objected to their release.
The charges against them include:
- Commission of an offence for a criminal organization.
- Instructing the commission of an offence for a criminal organization.
- Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine.
- Trafficking in cocaine.
- Conspiracy to possess cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
- Possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
- Laundering proceeds of crime.
- Possession of the proceeds of crime.
Degrâce, Friolet and Smith are scheduled to return to court on Monday at 1:30 p.m. for bail hearings.
The other six individuals have been released under conditions pending their next court appearance on May 28.
John Watson, 55, Eric Doucet, 40, both from Allardville, have each been charged with:
- Commission of an offence for a criminal organization.
- Trafficking in cocaine.
- Possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
- Laundering proceeds of crime.
- Possession of the proceeds of crime.
Jason Poirier, 40, of Inkerman, and Daniel Duguay, 58, of Saint-Irénée-et-Alderwood, are both facing charges of trafficking in cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
Gabriel Frilot, 65, and Julie Michaud, 35, both of Allardville, are accused of laundering proceeds of crime and possession of proceeds of crime.
At least 64 people were arrested in New Brunswick and Quebec on Tuesday during a series of raids conducted by the RCMP and Sûreté du Québec.
The arrests resulted in the dismantling of three major Hells Angels-controlled drug trafficking rings in Quebec, which were providing drugs sold in northern New Brunswick, according to police.
The investigation continues.
Five of the New Brunswick men were arrested early Tuesday, while the other three men and Michaud were arrested either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.
Operation J-Thunder targets the sale of cocaine on the Acadian Peninsula and in Restigouche, Madawaska and Victoria counties.
