A chilling network trafficking deadly narcotics has been dismantled in Montreal, culminating in the arrest of three men this week. Authorities seized a staggering cache of drugs, signaling a significant blow to organized crime within the city and beyond.
The operation, launched back in July, unfolded on December 8th with coordinated searches spanning multiple Montreal boroughs – Lachine, LaSalle, Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Ville-Marie, and St-Laurent – extending even to the neighboring city of Lorraine. This wasn’t a localized problem; it was a carefully constructed pipeline.
Over 100 kilograms of cocaine were recovered, alongside five kilograms of heroin and a disturbing 20 litres of GHB. The haul didn’t stop there: officers also discovered over $306,000 in cash, three firearms, and two vehicles linked to the operation, painting a picture of a sophisticated criminal enterprise.
The estimated street value of the cocaine and heroin alone exceeds $2.3 million, a stark illustration of the immense profit fueling this illicit trade. This money represented not just wealth, but devastation and potential loss of life.
Investigators uncovered a disturbing pattern: suppliers based in the Toronto area were systematically funneling narcotics into Montreal, exploiting the busy corridor between the two cities to maximize profits. The network thrived on a consistent, high-volume flow of drugs.
Michele Laddaga, 49, Victor Julio Sanchez Medrano, 45, and Lenin Garcia Ciriaco, 38, now face serious charges. Laddaga is accused of both trafficking and possession, while Sanchez Medrano and Ciriaco are charged with trafficking and money laundering. All three have already appeared in court.
Despite these arrests, the investigation is far from over. Authorities are actively pursuing two additional suspects, determined to dismantle the entire network and sever the flow of drugs into Montreal. The search continues, driven by a commitment to public safety.
