By Canadian Press

Two Hells Angels arrested in crackdown on alleged drug ring in Quebec

Aug 15, 2018 | 8:15 AM

SAGUENAY, Que. — Quebec provincial police say two Hells Angels members have been arrested in a crackdown on an alleged drug trafficking ring in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region.

Police say those arrested include the alleged head of the network, Bernard Plourde, who is described as a member in good standing of the gang’s Trois-Rivieres chapter.

In a release, police say the 55-year-old Plourde is facing charges of drug trafficking, conspiracy and gangsterism.

Police say a warrant was executed at his Saguenay-area home and that vehicles belonging to Plourde were also seized.

Another Hells Angels member, Jean-Francois Bergeron, of Desbiens, was also arrested along with two other men.

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Provincial police say the arrests are the second phase of an operation dubbed Nocif (Toxic) aimed at dismantling a vast network.

Last November, authorities made 24 arrests in the Saguenay region as well as Montreal and the Monteregie area in southwestern Quebec.

Ahead of a gathering of Hells Angels last weekend, a police spokesman said the Angels control between 95 and 98 per cent of drug trafficking market in the province.

The Canadian Press