On July 5, an RCMP investigation resulted in charges laid against three individuals involved in money laundering with suspected ties to Colombian criminal organizations. The three individuals are Yan Trépanier, 49 years old, from Laval; Andrew Barera, 35 years old, from Montréal; and Michael-Joey D'Opéra, 27 years old, from Laval.
The Integrated Proceeds of Crime investigation, launched in March 2020 in response to a tip from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), revealed that these individuals laundered more than $18 million in less than a year.
Search warrants executed in July 2021 resulted in police officers seizing $46,000 in cash, prohibited firearms and devices, a silencer and bookkeeping notebooks.
The investigation was conducted in collaboration with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Forensic Accounting Management Group (FAMG).
The three accused persons will appear on July 15 at the Montréal courthouse. Charges of laundering proceeds of crime, conspiracy to import and possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of prohibited firearms and devices are filed in this case.
Combatting organized crime
This operation conducted by the RCMP and its partners disrupted the activities of criminal organizations that import drugs. It cut them off from their money transferring network and allowed for the confiscation of significant sums.
Appeal to the public
Do you have information on the illegal activities of individuals or groups of individuals involved in drug trafficking? Contact the RCMP at 514 939-8300/1 800 771-5401 or your local police department.