POINTE-CLAIRE – The Valois district is a popular meeting place for many Pointe-Claire residents.
Area resident Diane Vilagos describes it as an “old country village” – a quaint part of the West Island.
On Wednesday night, the neighbourhood was shocked to see the Montreal police tactical squad on Donegani avenue near King street.
Around suppertime, police executed a search warrant inside a commercial building at 66 Donegani.
“It’s drug-related, it’s related to organized crime, more specifically to bike gangs,” said Cst. Anie Lemieux from the Montreal police.
Lemieux confirmed the West Island building was being used as a “clubhouse,” a sort-of bunker, for a biker gang.
Store owner Abdellah El-Faridi told Global News he was told the Pointe-Claire locale was used as a “private gym.”
The group apparently had links to the Hells Angels.
Seven people were arrested in the big bust.
Six were charged in court.
One of the men apprehended was reportedly a friend of Salvatore Cazzetta, the presumed leader of the Hells Angels in Quebec.
Global News has learned the owner and operator of the suspected clubhouse is 44-year-old David Castelli.
A number of homes and buildings across the Laurentians and the Monteregie were also raided as part of Wednesday’s operation.
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