https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2...a-guerre-des-stupefiants-serait-en-causeHomicide in Mont-Joli: drug war believed to be a factor, ex-Carabin among suspects
The war between criminal groups is also believed to be a factor in the homicide that occurred this weekend in Mont-Joli, where the 46-year-old victim is a former trafficker affiliated with the Hells Angels.
• Also read: The drug war is starting up again in Quebec
• Also read: Homicide in Mont-Joli: five suspects charged
According to our information, it was André Bourgoin who was attacked during an altercation that occurred around 11:45 a.m. on Saturday on Rue Aubin. Seriously injured, he was taken back to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The 46-year-old man was part of a major drug trafficking network linked to the Hells Angels that was dismantled by the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) in February 2019 in Eastern Quebec and New Brunswick.
The particularly lucrative business of these traffickers had generated revenues of $2.4 million in four months at the time, of which $250,000 had been paid in "taxes" to the Hells Angels, according to the SQ. A total of 32 people had been arrested as part of this operation.
André Bourgoin was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2021, after serving 36 months in pretrial detention, for conspiracy, drug trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime worth more than $5,000 in this case.
A former Carabin involved
According to our information, his death is linked to the drug war currently being waged by several criminal groups in the province, whose acts of violence have been increasing for several months.
It should be noted that five individuals, all from the greater Montreal area, were met by investigators and then arrested in this case. They are William Keita, Zachary Dryden, Brian Lewis-Philipp, Patrick Dion-Francis and Jarryd-Xavier Taylor.
The latter is a former receiver for the University of Montreal Carabins football team, where he accumulated 123 passing yards, 25 rushing yards and one touchdown in 2021.
The organization had no further contact with him after the season, says Carabins communications coordinator Renaud St-Laurent.
More charges to come
The five young men, aged 19 to 26, are all currently facing charges of carrying weapons for a dangerous purpose.
"But other charges could be added," said Frédéric Deshaies, spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec.
The circumstances leading to the homicide remain unclear at this time, with the SQ refusing to comment further due to the ongoing investigation.
The defendants, who had no prior criminal record, are due back in court on Thursday.
- With the collaboration of Félix Séguin and Katia Laflamme, TVA Nouvelles
