OTTAWA — Federal police say they have arrested 15 people in the Montreal area after a yearslong probe into an alleged organised crime group that exchanged drugs for cash and channelled proceeds into property and businesses.
Scope of the investigation
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the arrests arise from Project Chrome, launched in 2022 by the force’s anti-organized crime and money‑laundering units in partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency. The investigation, police said, targeted a network suspected of trafficking cocaine, laundering criminal proceeds and running other offences to benefit a criminal organisation.
RCMP public reporting says officers executed raids across the Montreal area in 2024 and seized a range of items and records that investigators used to support charges.
| Item | Amount / Count |
|---|---|
| Cocaine seized | 14 kilograms |
| Cash seized | $145,000+ |
| Electronic devices | ~120 devices |
| Bank accounts analysed | 100 |
| Transaction records reviewed | ~45,000 transactions |
| Documents analysed | 80,000 |
Charges and alleged roles
The RCMP said the 15 arrested individuals, whose ages range from 24 to 73, face multiple charges including trafficking in cocaine; laundering proceeds of crime; possession of and trafficking in property obtained by crime; conspiracy; and carrying out offences for the benefit of a criminal organisation. A 16th person is also charged but has not yet been arrested because they are believed to be outside Canada.
RCMP Cpl. Martina Pillarova told reporters the alleged network used drug-sale proceeds to finance renovations to buildings tied to members of the group, and that investigators believe the group also operated an illegal gaming house in Montreal. Pillarova described distinct roles within the organisation, saying some people "were working the streets, selling drugs," while others handled financial matters and business fronts.
"There are some people that are working the streets, selling drugs, there are others that are working with money, laundering money, working in several businesses and so on," RCMP Cpl. Martina Pillarova said in a phone interview.
The Mounties identified a family connection among some suspects. They said 61‑year‑old Franco Lopez allegedly led the group with assistance from his 53‑year‑old brother, Pasquale Lopez, and other family members. Four of the charged individuals share the Lopez surname.
Evidence volume and investigative work
Investigators described heavy digital forensics and financial analysis. In addition to about 120 electronic devices seized during 2024 raids, officers analysed a large number of bank accounts, tens of thousands of transactions and tens of thousands of documents. Restraint orders were placed on six properties, and the RCMP said the total value of all seizures and restraints exceeds $9 million.
- Operation name: Project Chrome (launched 2022)
- Raids conducted: approximately 20 locations in 2024
- Notable seizures: 14 kg of cocaine, and more than $145,000 in cash
RCMP public documents and the media release did not provide further detail about the accused’s identities beyond the names and ages cited, nor did they disclose the specific businesses allegedly used for laundering. The investigation remains active, and one charged individual has not yet been detained because they are reportedly abroad.
Charges stemming from long investigations into organised crime and money‑laundering frequently proceed with complex forensic evidence and financial tracing. The RCMP statement indicates a multidisciplinary effort that included both criminal investigators and tax authorities, reflecting federal concern about the intersection of drug trafficking and financial crime.
Those charged will be dealt with through the courts; the RCMP said its case files and seized material will support prosecutions, but did not outline any timelines for court appearances or trial dates.
