A police strike aimed at ‘neutralising’ a suspected arms dealer led to the arrest and confiscation of 33 firearms in two apartments in Portneuf’s MRC.
• Also read: Arms trade in Portneuf: Authorities are currently conducting a search
Louis Tessier, 52, of Saint-Marc-des-Carrières, faces five counts of trafficking firearms, possession for the purpose of firearms trafficking, unauthorized possession of firearms, prohibited or restricted fire and violating a prohibition order.
He remained detained after appearing at the Quebec City courthouse on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, he was arrested as part of an operation by the Integrated Anti-Arms Trafficking Team, made up of members of the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) and the Service de Police de la Ville de Quebec (SPVQ).
The strike was aimed at “neutralizing an arms dealer,” according to the police authorities’ press release.
Searches of a house in Saint-Marc-des-Carrières and its outbuildings and a second home in Saint-Thuribe led to the seizure of no fewer than 33 firearms, including three handguns and five prohibited weapons.
Thousands of different ammunition, several high-capacity magazines, a crossbow and sawed-off cannons were also discovered.
neighborhood in shock
On rue Raymond in Saint-Marc-des-Carrières, the police intervention caused some excitement early on Wednesday.
“I heard them screaming to get out of the house. They asked if there were other people in the house,” said one citizen.
He admits he “took the plunge” when he heard the news about the suspect’s alleged illegal activities, which seemed uneventful to him.
“It’s quiet, nothing’s happening here,” the resident shouted.
In January 2021, Tessier pleaded not guilty to charges of unauthorized possession of prohibited or restricted weapons and three counts of negligent use.
— With Jeremy Bernier
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