officers from several police forces arrested most of the 156 people named in an indictment that lists several serious charges including conspiracy, gangsterism and 22 counts of first-degree murder. The murders were carried out within the context of a bloody conflict over drug-trafficking turf between the Hells Angels and rival criminal organizations that stretched from 1994 to 2002, a period commonly referred to as the biker war.
At least 16 people named in Operation SharQc are still being sought, according to the Sûreté du Québec’s website.
That includes Normand Marvin (Casper) Ouimet, a member of the gang’s Trois Rivières chapter who is also wanted in a case where he is alleged to have taken control of masonry companies to launder money.
Included among the nine men who began their bail hearing are Normand (Billy) Labelle, 55; Michel (Sky) Langlois, 64; Yves (Flag) Gagné, 59; Bertrand Joyal, 53; and Marc-André Hotte, 38.
All five are alleged to be full-patch members of the gang. Superior Court Justice James Brunton placed a publication ban on all evidence that will be presented over the next two weeks.
Despite the very serious charges involved, being granted a release in Operation SharQc is not an impossible task. Earlier this year, the Quebec Court of Appeal supported a decision Brunton made in August 2009 where he granted the release of six men. At least 16 people in all have been released while they await a possible trial so far.
Specific trial dates have yet to be set, but most of the people charged are expected to return to court in December.
Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Nine+charged+Operation+SharQc+seek+release/3550776/story.html#ixzz10RoMTABF
0 comments:
Post a Comment