A police officer removes evidence from a building raided Wednesday morning.A police officer removes evidence from a building raided Wednesday morning. (CBC)

Police in and around Montreal carried out a series of drug raids Wednesday, describing the operation as a way to crack down on organized crime.

More than 280 police officers from la Sûreté du Québec, the RCMP and other municipal forces were taking part in the operation.

Provincial police Sgt. Benoît Richard said police have been investigating members of an organized crime group involved in the importation of cocaine and marijuana.

He said police don't expect to arrest many people in the raids, adding that officers will be mainly gathering evidence.

Richard said police have already executed 56 search warrants.

He said the investigation began in May 2009 following a tip from the public.