Watch: Ines De La Cuetara has details of the Laval firefighter arrested for drug trafficking
MONTREAL — They’ve been making headlines for protesting Bill 3, but on Tuesday morning firefighters drew attention for a different reason after a Laval firefighter was arrested following his shift at the fire station on Duranleau Street.
He has been accused of drug trafficking.
“The investigation started in July 2014 and came in as a standard tip, which we get very regularly,” explained Frank di Genova, spokesperson for the Laval police department, adding that the case was then transmitted to the force’s drug squad.
Police eventually asked for four different search warrants: three in Laval, and one in Saint-Adele.
Earlier reports claimed that one of those places included the Duranleau fire station, and that the firefighter in question sold drugs even while he was at work. Police however would not confirm either of these allegations.
In all, three people were arrested; two males aged 48 and 30, and one 34-year-old woman.
Police did confirm that one of the three is a Laval resident.
“I also have confirmation that certain drugs that were seized,” said di Genova.
“I cannot tell you the quantities nor what exactly was seized.”
Some Laval residents suggested that they were not surprised by the news.
“We have a lot of dealers everywhere, it could be our neighbours, we really don’t know what’s happening in other houses around us,” said one woman.
Others said they found the revelations shocking, as they look up to firefighters.
“Firefighters? We have a respect for them, they’re a little bit different from us,” said one man. “That’s the reason we are surprised. I’m really surprised.”
Officials said charges will depend on both the quantities of the drugs found and on the accused criminal charges. The 48-year-old firefighter is expected to appear in court Wednesday morning.
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