RCMP say five men in New Brunswick, believed to be members of outlaw motorcycle gangs, have been arrested as part of a lengthy drug trafficking investigation.
The RCMP New Brunswick Federal and Serious Organized Crime Unit made the arrests in various locations in northern New Brunswick on Tuesday.
READ MORE: Police in Quebec make several dozen Hells Angels-related arrests
According to police, the investigation into cocaine trafficking on the Acadian Peninsula and Restigouche, Madawaska and Victoria counties started in November 2016.
Investigators determined the drugs were linked back to the Hells Angels in Quebec, but said those arrested are not members of the Hells Angels. They are, however, believed to be linked to other outlaw motorcycle gangs in New Brunswick and Quebec.
“Outlaw motorcycle groups are a priority for the RCMP. We continue to monitor outlaw motorcycle gangs’ interest in expanding any operation and their criminal activity,” said Cpl. Jullie Rogers-Marsh in a news release.
“As a result of this priority, we were able to make arrests related to drug trafficking in New Brunswick.”
Four of the men arrested are from Allardville, N.B. and the fifth is from Évangéline, N.B. They range in age from 40 to 58.
READ MORE: Halifax police say Hells Angels member and 2 others face multiple charges after drug raid
They are scheduled to appear in Bathurst Provincial Court on Wednesday morning.
Police in Quebec make more than 60 Hells Angels-related arrests
The New Brunswick investigation took place at the same time Sûreté du Québec were conducting their own investigation into outlaw motorcycle groups. RCMP say the two investigations were separate, but they did have some information in common.
A Montreal-area police officer was among more than 60 people arrested in the Quebec operation.
Provincial police in Quebec say they dismantled three narcotics sales networks from the leadership right down to the distributors.
They estimate the networks had made $10 million over eight months trafficking cocaine and synthetic drugs.
Some of the accused are also charged with fentanyl and cannabis trafficking.
Police say all of those arrested were either members or associates of the Hells Angels, with the exception of a municipal police officer from Repentigny who allegedly acted as a courier for the Hells members.
With a file from The Canadian Press