Portneuf: 33 guns seized in two residences

A police raid aimed at “neutralizing” an alleged gun trafficker led to the arrest and seizure of 33 firearms at two residences in Portneuf’s MRC.

• Read more: Gun smuggling in Portneuf: Officers are currently investigating

Louis Tessier, 52, of Saint-Marc-des-Carrières, faces five charges, including firearms trafficking, possession of weapons for the purpose of trafficking, possession of firearms without a permit, prohibited or prohibited fire and breach of a restraining order.

He was detained after appearing in a Quebec City court on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, he was arrested as part of an operation by a joint team to combat arms trafficking, made up of members of the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) and the Service de police de la Ville de Quebec (SPVQ).

The strike was aimed at neutralizing the gun smuggler, police officials said in a press release.

Searches of a residence and its outbuildings in Saint-Marc-des-Carrières and a secondary residence in Saint-Thuribe seized no less than 33 firearms, including three pistols and five prohibited weapons.

Thousands of different rounds of ammunition, several high-capacity magazines, a crossbow and a sawn-off cannon were also found.

Neighborhood in shock

On rue Raymond in Saint-Marc-des-Carrières, the early Wednesday morning police intervention caused some confusion.

“I heard them shouting to leave the house. They asked if there were other people in the house,” said a resident.

When he heard the news about the suspect’s illegal activities, he admitted to a “leap” that seemed unusual to him.

“It’s quiet, nothing’s going on here,” the resident exclaimed.

In January 2021, Tessier pleaded not guilty to one count of possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon without a permit and three counts of careless use.

– with Jeremy Bernier