Full Breakdown
RCMP Arrests Tied to Montreal Mafia in Cocaine Trafficking Probe
By Drooid · · How we work
Major Arrests in Montreal Mafia Cocaine Probe
Law enforcement announced that 16 individuals with alleged connections to a faction of the Montreal Mafia were taken into custody during a coordinated raid. Fifteen of those arrested, including at least four women, remain in police custody while one suspect is still being sought. The operation targeted members of the Lopez clan, notably the alleged leader Franco Lopez, 61, and his brother Pasquale Lopez, 53.
Background of Project Chrome
The arrests are the culmination of “Project Chrome,” an investigation that began in 2022 and was led by officers from the RCMP’s Organized and Financial Crime Program, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU), and the Money Laundering Investigative Team (MLIT), with assistance from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The probe followed a 2024 search of Frajo Inc., a construction firm owned by Franco Lopez, and other Montreal properties. Project Chrome builds on earlier efforts, including “Project Magot-Mastiff” in 2015, which previously charged the Lopez brothers with drug-related offenses before a stay of proceedings was entered in 2019.
Key Figures
- Franco Lopez – 61, alleged leader of the Lopez clan and owner of Frajo Inc.
- Pasquale Lopez – 53, brother of Franco and also arrested.
- RCMP Organized and Financial Crime Program – Lead investigative body.
- CFSEU and MLIT – Specialized units that coordinated the operation.
- Canada Revenue Agency – Provided financial-crime assistance.
Charges and Legal Actions
According to the RCMP, the suspects face a range of offenses, including trafficking and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, money-laundering, possession and trafficking of property obtained by crime, conspiracy, and multiple violations of the Income Tax Act. Prosecutors allege that proceeds from drug sales financed renovations to buildings linked to the criminal organization and that the group operated an illegal gaming house in Montreal.
Implications for Organized Crime
Authorities say the operation demonstrates a focused effort to disrupt the financial infrastructure of organized crime groups in Quebec. By targeting both drug trafficking and the laundering of its proceeds through construction and real-estate ventures, law enforcement aims to curtail the capacity of the alleged Mafia faction to fund further illicit activities. The arrests also highlight the ongoing collaboration between federal policing units and tax authorities in dismantling complex criminal enterprises.