Two separate operations were carried out by the SPVM, leading to the arrest of twelve suspects, including nine minors.
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The first operation took place in the district of Anjou, where four suspects aged 15 to 20 belonging to a criminal street gang were apprehended. The latter had in their possession firearms, ammunition and burglary tools.
The second intervention took place in Ahunstic-Cartierville, and saw eight minors arrested. They were linked to cases of extortion, harassment and intimidation of a student who attends the same establishment.
Young people interviewed by TVA Nouvelles said they were confronted with violence on a daily basis.
"When there are people passing by, we hear their conversation, and we hear that they are talking about firearms," said one of them. "Sometimes they are discreet, but I don't get too close to them, I don't want to be in trouble," he worried.
Living with crime has become commonplace in the Montreal region, even for the youngest.
“Like two years ago there were the first shots I heard, and I looked straight away, I was curious. Not even a week ago I heard gunshots, I was used to it, ”said another, only 13 years old.
“It has become a habit,” they lamented.