Quebec helicopter jailbreak surveillance video released by court
Publication ban lifted of video of brazen escape from Quebec jail yard
The surveillance video of the brazen helicopter escape from a detention centre near Quebec City last June by inmates Serge Pomerleau, Denis Lefebvre and Yves Denis has been released.
A Quebec Superior Court has allowed the video, which was under a publication ban, to be broadcast.
In this video excerpt, two of the inmates can be seen in the yard of the Orsainville Detention Centre before the helicopter lands. The landing and takeoff are also partially visible.
- Quebec police search for 3 inmates after helicopter jailbreak
- Quebec jailbreak: escape by helicopter was 'well-planned'
- Quebec police capture 3 inmates escaped in helicopter jailbreak
The escape led to an international manhunt.
Four days after the escape, with still no sign of the three fugitives, Interpol issued an Orange Notice, or an international alert, to all of its 190 member countries to help track down the men.
About two weeks after the helicopter escape, Quebec police captured the inmates, who were hiding out in an upscale condominium in Montreal's Old Port district.
The incident prompted Quebec’s Public Security Ministry to announce no-fly zones over three detention facilities in the province as a measure to beef up security.
The June 7 escape took place while Denis, 35, Lefebvre, 53, and Pomerleau, 49. were on trial for drug trafficking.
The surveillance video was first presented in a Quebec City courtroom on Nov. 19.
The three defendants, who were found guilty of drug trafficking, conspiracy and gangsterism, now face another trial for charges of jailbreak and escaping legal custody.