9 arrested in West Island street gang sweep
Last Updated: Thursday, February 18, 2010 | 7:56 AM ET
CBC News
Eight men and one woman are in custody after Montreal authorities arrested them Wednesday on suspicion of being members of rival street gangs operating on the West Island.
Montreal police say they were led to the suspects after residents in Pierrefonds and Dollard-des-Ormeaux contacted authorities last summer to report a marked rise of violent incidents in their neighbourhoods.
"They were fighting for the territory of drugs, so they were trying to influence or get rid of the other groups, so there were shootings, there was intimidation and assaults," said Commander Antonio Iannantuoni.
"They were trying to get at their rival gang. There were attempted murders, shootouts that occurred."
The suspects, aged 20 to 27, face several charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and extortion.
Police are calling their arrests a sort of tying up of loose ends, months after a major sweep last August in which they arrested 39 people and seized machine guns, bullet-proof vests, drugs and $100,000 in cash.
The suspects arrested this week are due in court Thursday for their bail hearings.
Share Tools
Latest Montreal News Headlines
- Tornado touchdown confirmed near Montreal
- Trees were uprooted, roofs damaged and windows shattered as severe thunderstorms and a tornado rattled through southwestern Quebec Friday night. more »
- Champlain Bridge road work blitz this weekend
- Transport Quebec is advising drivers to avoid the Champlain Bridge corridor this weekend as a blitz of major road work closes down some lanes. more »
- Quebec students ready for tuition hike, says one leader
- The president of Quebec's College Student Federation (FECQ), Leo Bureau-Blouin, tells CBC Radio's The House that students "are ready for a compromise on the amount of a tuition hike," as the Quebec government and the province's student associations prepare to resume talks. more »
- IOC's Jacques Rogge encourages Olympic bids for Quebec City, Toronto
- International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge believes there is an opportunity for either Quebec City or Toronto to host a future Olympic Games. more »
Top News Headlines
- Teen struck by lightning in Ottawa dies
- The victim of a Friday lightning strike during a storm in east Ottawa has died, CBC News has learned. more »
- 32 Syrian children die in artillery attack, says UN
- More than 90 people have been killed by regime forces in a district of central Syria, with the head of the UN team in the country confirming at least 32 children and 60 adults were killed the attack. more »
- Missing Winnipeg children found in Mexico, organization says
- Two Winnipeg children reported missing and possibly in Mexico have been found alive, according to unofficial reports from an agency that works to find missing people. more »
- Everest team unable to bring down Toronto woman's body
- Bad weather has hampered the recovery team that is attempting to bring down the body of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest. more »
Most Viewed/Commented
- Tornado touchdown confirmed near Montreal
- 32nd night protest in Montreal
- Quebec students challenge Bill 78 in court
- Quebec students ready for tuition hike, says one leader
- Mysterious photos may shed light on 2004 Quebec homicide
- Son testifies on behalf of father accused of killing wife
- Quebec faces mounting pressure amid student crisis
- Ottawa man in hospital after lightning strike
- Bookies set odds on Quebec student protest
