Four Quebecers who allegedly imported packages from Colombia whose boxes were soaked in cocaine are facing serious criminal charges following an investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Jonathan Gallotta, 41, of Mirabel; Jean Bergeron, 59, from Laval; Laurent-Alexandre Riverin, 31, from Montreal and Aléa Bizien, 30, from Boisbriand.
The Quebec quartet faces charges of importing cocaine, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and conspiracy.
They must appear on January 29 at the Laval courthouse.
The investigation into this file began in December 2022, when agents from the Canada Border Services Agency intercepted a package coming from Colombia, a country known for its cocaine production.
The package containing 39 boxes whose cardboard was soaked with cocaine. The laboratory analyst determined that each box contained approximately 29 grams of cocaine, for a total of 1.3 kg.
“During the investigation, the police dismantled a clandestine laboratory probably used for the extraction of cocaine in a commercial premises located in Laval. Two other commercial premises were also the subject of searches. Investigators seized several electronic devices, laboratory equipment and notes describing the method for extracting the cocaine from the cardboard,” the RCMP said in a press release.
Among the suspects arrested, Jonathan Gallotta hit the headlines a few years ago in Costa Rica, when he was arrested in possession of more than 1,000 methamphetamine tablets.
After being released on conditions following an eight-month prison sentence, Gallotta destroyed his electronic bracelet and fled to Nicaragua, before being arrested again as he was about to return to Canada on a private plane. His two accomplices, two Canadians, were also arrested.
