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Laval police announce two arrests during gun-crime crackdown

One suspect had been under investigation for a year and is alleged to be a member of the Flamehead street gang.

A police officer allows a neighbour to leave the security perimeter near a home on Place du Comoran where a man was killed during a home invasion in Laval May 24, 2022.
A police officer allows a neighbour to leave the security perimeter near a home on Place du Comoran where a man was killed during a home invasion in Laval May 24, 2022. Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

Laval police on Friday announced they had made two arrests in separate investigations into gun crime in their city.

The latest occurred Wednesday and saw warrants executed on residences and a vehicle in connection with a year-old investigation involving Marlon Étienne-Lafontant, 29, whom police allege is a member of the Flamehead street gang and was engaged in illegal drug trafficking.

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The searches yielded cellphones, counterfeit identity documents, jewelry, drugs and cash. Étienne-Lafontant remains in custody and is expected to appear in court Oct. 3 to face charges of drug trafficking and illegal possession of a firearm.

The other arrest occurred Sept. 22 during a police check of a local bar. Eric Simon, 19, was arrested at the scene; police say he was in possession of a firearm. He, too, remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 12 to face a charge of being in possession of a prohibited weapon.

Laval police are urging anyone with information that could further either investigation to contact their information line at 450-662-4636  or call 911 and mention file LVL 211216 072.

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