Province wants to seize alleged Montreal sex trafficker's BMW after Kamloops arrest
A Montreal gangster is accused of transporting women across provincial boundaries with his BMW, and the province wants to seize it.
Pierre-Andre Baptiste was arrested in Kamloops at the end of 2024 for his alleged role in a Quebec killing, but authorities in BC have since decided to take his BMW SUV allegedly for its use in sex trafficking, according to court records.
Since at least May 2024, he drove women between Alberta and BC, including youths, in a sex trade operation, according to a notice of claim filed by the BC Civil Forfeiture Office.
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BC's provincial gang enforcement unit arrested him in Kamloops on Dec. 11, 2024 and seized his 2018 BMW X5, according to the lawsuit filed, June 9.
He hasn't yet responded in court, but it's not the first time Baptiste has gone up against the Civil Forfeiture Office. He lost thousands of dollars last time.
Baptiste was arrested in Victoria in June 2023, charged with possession of a weapon, uttering threats and assault. It stemmed from a disagreement with someone about payment for sexual services, according to court documents.
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Police seized a baton and nearly $15,000 in cash from his vehicle.
In his defence, Baptiste said the money was his and denied the criminal allegations. He said he worked part time as a hairdresser, a truck driver and a rapper signed to Laval, Quebec label Seiha Studios Inc.
In August 2024, a BC Supreme Court judge ordered the money be surrendered to the province, with the exception of $3,700 that went to his Vancouver lawyer.
Baptiste, also known by his stage name Bouldat, was one of three arrested in December 2024 in connection to gang-related Quebec killings, according to La Presse.
He was charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
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