Lover Police Launch Massive Operation Targeting Gun Violence

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Laval police on Thursday launched a large-scale operation targeting nine people in connection with a gun violence investigation.

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A total of 150 police officers, including officers from the Sûreté du Québec, RCMP, and police from Montreal, du Montagne, Saint Gérôme and Longueuil, were executing nine residential search warrants and six vehicle search warrants. Part of an investigation that began in August last year.

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Lava Police said the targets were suspected of being involved in organized crime.

A Laval police spokesperson said drugs had been seized and firearms were expected to be found in the course of the operation, which is still ongoing.

Thursday’s operation comes less than two weeks after a shooting police said was linked to gang violence, forcing a lockdown at the University of Montmorency.

Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer recently met with Public Safety Minister François Bonadel to ask the state for additional funding to help local police deal with the surge in gun violence.

The municipality will spend $60 million to build a new police station in Chomedei District, an area hard hit by a crime surge.