LAC SAINT-FRANCOIS, Que. — RCMP have seized 127 kilograms of cocaine and made three arrests in a drug smuggling investigation in southwestern Quebec, the force announced Thursday.
Investigators said they uncovered a scheme to import large quantities of cocaine destined for the Montreal market by routing it through Los Angeles and Houston.
They said the accused were also involved in trafficking cannabis and illegal tobacco.
Const. Erique Gasse said more arrests are possible.
"We did arrest three people this morning, one of whom will appear in court this afternoon, but the investigation is still ongoing," he said in a phone interview.
Gasse said the probe centred on the Lac Saint-Francois area, and officers also searched homes in Saint-Zotique, Que., and Lancaster, Ont.
They identified one of the accused as Jaime Flores, 50, who they say was already facing drug trafficking charges in a probe into organized crime.
Gasse said Flores, of Saint-Zotique, had been on the run for nearly two years when he was arrested in Ecuador in January on the earlier charges. He was rearrested Thursday morning.
Flores was expected to appear in court later in the day to face charges of conspiracy, drug importation and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
The two other accused, whose names have not been released, will appear in court at a later date.
