A man accused as part of an RCMP operation entitled "Clemenza" is walked to a police station by officers in Montreal in this undated police handout photo. The RCMP says American and Canadian authorities seized 220 kilograms of cocaine as well as $2 million that was to be used to help import the drugs from the United States. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Royal Canadian Mounted Police/Gendarmerie Royal du Canada, Pascal Milette - MANDATORY CREDIT
Republished May 11, 2016 - 1:25 PM
Original Publication Date May 11, 2016 - 8:10 AM
MONTREAL - Thirteen people were arrested on Wednesday after police busted what they called a well-structured organized crime network that imported and trafficked cocaine.
Talks were ongoing with another suspect located in Italy, while a 15th person was also being sought, the RCMP said.
The alleged Montreal-based ring imported a total of 1.4 tonnes of the drug, the Mounties said.
American and Canadian authorities seized 220 kilograms of cocaine during Project Clemenza, a three-phase investigation that began in 2010.
Authorities said they also confiscated $2 million that was to be used to help import the drugs from the United States.
Most of the accused are from the Montreal area, although one lived in Ottawa and another was already detained in Kingston, Ont.
They were expected to be arraigned by video conference later on Wednesday.
Quebec provincial police, the Montreal and Laval forces, the Canada Border Services Agency and the Canada Revenue Agency also took part in the investigation.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2016