The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested 13 people and raided several sites in the Montreal area yesterday, Tuesday, in a large operation targeting a suspected criminal organization.

During the raids, the police broke a window at the Bar, which was one of the many locations targeted by the operation involving nearly 400 officers on Fleury Street East in Lily's.

RCMP spokesperson Charles Poirier also said that officers searched a total of four businesses, in addition to 16 residences and two vehicles.

The operation, led by the RCMP, was carried out in partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency and the Montreal police.

Poirier said: "This investigation targets an alleged criminal organization operating here in Montreal, and the offenses being investigated are cocaine trafficking, money laundering, and illegal gambling."

RCMP spokesperson Charles Poirier also said that officers searched a total of four businesses, in addition to 16 residences and two vehicles.

The operation, led by the RCMP, was carried out in partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency and the Montreal police.

Poirier said: "This investigation targets an alleged criminal organization operating here in Montreal, and the offenses being investigated are cocaine trafficking, money laundering, and illegal gambling.

While the RCMP did not mention the name of the organization, La Presse’s police and organized crime reporter Daniel Renaud says it includes Lopez - Oliverio, which is part of the Calabrian clan mafia in Montreal.
Renaud told CTV News: We know that the Lopez family is involved in drug trafficking, and in 2015, three brothers from the Lopez family were arrested."

Former Montreal police investigator Pietro Poletti also said the family has been active for 30 to 35 years.