Sûreté du Québec Contraband Investigators Seize More Than 126,000 Methamphetamine Tablets and More Than 116,000 Contraband Cigarettes in Searches at Shawinigan and Trois-Rivières, and a Man of 37 and a Woman of 32 Could Face Cannabis Act, Drug, Money-Laundering and Tobacco Tax Charges (November 6, 2026)
A man of 37 and a woman of 32 were arrested on November 5 after searches at five locations in Shawinigan and Trois-Rivières, and the Sûreté du Québec seized more than 126,000 methamphetamine tablets, more than 116,000 contraband cigarettes, more than 113,000 prescription medication tablets and more than 300 kilograms of cannabis products, L’Hebdo du St-Maurice and Mon La Tuque reported on November 6. L’Hebdo du St-Maurice says the operation was carried out by the force’s Service des enquêtes sur la contrebande, with the Sûreté du Québec post at Shawinigan and the Trois-Rivières police service. Both people were released and must return to the Shawinigan courthouse at a later date, L’Hebdo du St-Maurice reports. The two have not been named, and no charge has yet been reported.
Legal status: Arrested and released, with a court return date still to come. L’Hebdo du St-Maurice says the two could face charges, and Mon La Tuque says they will have to return to court at a later date to face charges. No charge has been reported as laid, and both people are presumed innocent.
The Locations
In Shawinigan, the searches covered a residence, a warehouse and a chalet. In Trois-Rivières, officers went to two warehouses. That makes five locations in all.
The Charges Expected
L’Hebdo du St-Maurice says the pair could face charges under the Cannabis Act, drug offences, money laundering and offences under tobacco tax law. Mon La Tuque names the Cannabis Act in relation to narcotics, laundering of the proceeds of crime (recyclage de produits de la criminalité) and offences under the tobacco tax act. Mon La Tuque also reports that the investigation began with information received from the public, and that it concerns the smuggling of illicit cannabis in Shawinigan.
What was seized
- Methamphetamine: more than 126,000 tablets
- Cannabis: more than 100 kilograms of edibles, more than 64 kilograms dried, more than 129 kilograms concentrated, and more than 9 kilograms of hashish
- Cocaine: more than 280 grams
- Other drugs: more than 800 grams of MDMA, more than 100 grams of psilocybin, more than 113,000 prescription medication tablets and more than 125 THC vaping devices
- Tobacco: more than 116,000 contraband cigarettes
- Cash and property: more than $70,000 in Canadian currency, two conducted energy weapons, two vehicles described as offence-related property, and other items described as proceeds of crime
Timeline
- November 5, 2026Searches are carried out at three locations in Shawinigan and two in Trois-Rivières, and a 37-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman are arrested. Both are released and must return to the Shawinigan courthouse at a later date.
- November 6, 2026, 2 p.m.L’Hebdo du St-Maurice publishes the seizure inventory and names the units involved.
- November 6, 2026, 4:14 p.m.Mon La Tuque publishes its own account, adding that the investigation began with information from the public.
Carried out the operation, according to L’Hebdo du St-Maurice
Assisted
Assisted
Related Files
Sources
- L’Hebdo du St-Maurice, “Perquisitions à Shawinigan et Trois-Rivières: plus de 126 000 comprimés de méthamphétamine saisis,” November 6, 2026, 2 p.m. — for the seizures and the units — lhebdodustmaurice.com
- Mon La Tuque, “Perquisition à Shawinigan et Trois-Rivières : deux individus arrêtés,” November 6, 2026, 4:14 p.m. — for the arrests and the origin of the investigation — monlatuque.com
Both people arrested are presumed innocent, and no charge in this file has been tested in court. The allegations are those of the Sûreté du Québec, as reported by L’Hebdo du St-Maurice and Mon La Tuque. No gang or criminal organization has been named in connection with this case.
