The Sûreté du Québec Searched a Residence on Rue Principale in La Sarre on October 23 and Seized Cocaine, Prescription Medications, Cash and Drug Sales Equipment, and Mathieu Duquette, 35, Appeared by Videoconference and Remains in Custody (October 26, 2026)
Sûreté du Québec officers searched a residence on rue Principale in La Sarre, in the MRC d’Abitibi-Ouest, on October 23 and seized cocaine, which MédiAT describes as ready for resale, prescription medications MédiAT describes as diverted from the legal supply, cash MédiAT describes as suspected of coming from criminal activity, and equipment MédiAT describes as used to package and sell drugs, MédiAT and Mon Abitibi report. MédiAT names the main occupant of the residence as Mathieu Duquette, 35, and reports that he appeared by videoconference on charges related to trafficking in illicit substances and remained in detention; Mon Abitibi reports the same arrest and custody but describes him only as a 35-year-old resident.
Legal status: Appeared by videoconference and remains in custody on charges MédiAT and Mon Abitibi describe as related to drug trafficking. The allegations have not been tested in court and the accused is presumed innocent.
The Search on Rue Principale
Both outlets report that the Sûreté du Québec carried out a drug search at a residence on rue Principale in La Sarre on October 23. MédiAT places the address in the MRC d’Abitibi-Ouest and reports that the search followed intelligence gathered in work against local criminal networks.
MédiAT reports that the resident was arrested and questioned. Mon Abitibi reports the arrest and the questioning in the same terms.
The Accused and the Court Appearance
MédiAT names Mathieu Duquette, 35, as the main occupant of the residence, and reports that he appeared by videoconference on various charges related to trafficking in illicit substances and remained in detention pending further proceedings. Mon Abitibi reports that a 35-year-old resident appeared by videoconference on charges related to drug trafficking and remains in custody, and does not name him.
What Was Seized
- Cocaine: described by MédiAT as ready for resale.
- Prescription medications: described by MédiAT as diverted from the legal supply.
- Cash: described by MédiAT as suspected of coming from criminal activity.
- Equipment: described by MédiAT as used to package and sell drugs; Mon Abitibi describes it as used to sell drugs.
What Has Not Been Reported
- Charge wording: neither MédiAT nor Mon Abitibi states the wording of any count.
- Quantities: no weight, count or amount has been reported for the cocaine, the medications or the cash.
- Court: no next court date has been reported.
- Unit: which Sûreté du Québec unit carried out the search has not been reported.
Timeline
- OCTOBER 23, 2026Sûreté du Québec officers searched a residence on rue Principale in La Sarre, MédiAT and Mon Abitibi report. The resident was arrested and questioned.
- AFTER THE ARRESTThe accused appeared by videoconference on charges related to drug trafficking and remained in custody, both outlets report; MédiAT says he appeared quickly.
- OCTOBER 26, 2026MédiAT and Mon Abitibi report the search, the seizure and the court appearance; Mon Abitibi carries it at 10:41 a.m.
Carried out the search and the arrest, MédiAT and Mon Abitibi report.
Related Files
Sources
- MédiAT, “Opération antidrogue fructueuse à La Sarre: un individu arrêté et une saisie de stupéfiants,” October 26, 2026 — for the name, the age and the seizure — mediat.ca
- Mon Abitibi, “Trafic de stupéfiants : perquisition à La Sarre,” October 26, 2026, 10:41 a.m. — for the search, the arrest and the custody — monabitibi.ca
None of these allegations has been tested in court, and the accused is presumed innocent. The allegations are those of the Sûreté du Québec, as reported by MédiAT and Mon Abitibi. No gang or criminal organization has been named in connection with this case.
