Five arrested in Clarence-Rockland after OPP raid
Ontario Provincial Police successfully raided nine locations across Ottawa, Gatineau and Clarence-Rockland on Monday, November 6 as part of a six-month long operation entitled “Project Landslide.”
Seven suspects were arrested, five of which are from Clarence-Rockland, the others from Ottawa and Gatineau. The raids targeted drug and weapon trafficking, all believed to have ties to Ottawa street gang operations. During the six-month long investigation and the arrests, OPP have seized an AK-47, AR-15 rifle, six handguns, a submachine gun, as well as ammunition for the weapons. OPP also seized approximately $1.7 million worth of cocaine, methamphetamine pills and marijuana as well as $150,000 in cash.
Youssef Jouma (38), Nicklas Martin (23), Matt Mercier (29), Leopold Mercier (64) and Marianne Mercier (62) are among those arrested from the City of Clarence-Rockland. Marco Dubien (27) from Gatineau and Deepan Budlakoti (28) from Ottawa were also arrested and charged.
Jouma has been charged on two counts of possession of proceeds of crime and two charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking marijuana.
Martin has been charged with three counts of possession of property obtained by crime and three counts of possession of cocaine and methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking.
Matt Mercier was charged for multiple counts of trafficking methamphetamine and cocaine, possession of proceeds of crime and breach of recognizance. He was also jointly charged with Leopold Mercier for conspiracy to traffic cocaine and methamphetamine.
Leopold and Marianne Mercier were jointly charged with 15 counts of unlawful possession of handguns and 15 counts of possession of proceeds of crime.
« Removing these guns and drugs from our communities is a victory for the safety of our citizens,” said John Sullivan, chief superintendent of the OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, during a news conference held on Wednesday, November 8.
“Regardless of jurisdiction,” Chief Sullivan stated, “the OPP and our law enforcement partners will continue to identify and aggressively pursue those individuals who continue to threaten the safety and security of people in Ontario and Quebec.»
During the raids, the homes of the suspects were searched, as well as storage facilities and a business.
Project Landslide began in May 2017 and is a large multi-jurisdictional investigation, which has resulted in the seizure of highpowered weapons and drug, targeting highlevel drug and firearm traffickers.