Community Safety Alert: RCMP Charges Three in International Cocaine Trafficking Case Linked to Quebec

RCMP Federal Policing Eastern Region has announced criminal charges against three men from the greater Montreal area in connection with an alleged international cocaine trafficking network. The accused are alleged to have played roles in importing and distributing significant quantities of cocaine into Quebec.

The arrests stem from an investigation launched in 2022 by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU). According to police, the network is alleged to have arranged cocaine shipments from Peru into Quebec, with distribution activities focused in the Montreal region. All three accused were taken into custody on the morning of March 23, 2026 and are scheduled to appear the same day at the Longueuil courthouse.

Official RCMP Details

RCMP Federal Policing Eastern Region has released the following information regarding the individuals charged in connection with this alleged trafficking network:

• Mathieu Provost, 38, from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
  • Charged with conspiracy to import cocaine.
  • Charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
  • Allegedly involved in coordinating the importation of large quantities of cocaine into Quebec from Peru.
• Ysmael Rodrigues Da Costa, 30, from Brossard
  • Charged with conspiracy to import cocaine.
  • Charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
  • Allegedly conspired with Mr. Provost in the importation of cocaine from Peru into Quebec.
• Ahmad Ebad Ebadi, 28, from Carignan
  • Charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
  • Alleged by investigators to have transported cocaine for the group within the Montreal area.

All three accused were arrested during a coordinated operation on the morning of March 23, 2026. They are expected to appear before a judge at the Longueuil courthouse the same day in relation to these charges.

As part of a related investigation led by the National Police of Peru, authorities there have already secured convictions against two Canadians linked to the same network. Police in Peru report that Frédéric Dewald and Francis Toupin-Bergevin have been found guilty of cocaine trafficking offences connected to this broader operation.

This case forms part of a wider national and international effort to disrupt sophisticated drug trafficking operations. For broader context on serious crime trends and enforcement actions across the country, residents can follow ongoing coverage through CrimeCanada.ca’s national crime news reports and safety analyses.

Role of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU)

The CFSEU is a specialized partnership-led unit that brings together local, national, and international policing resources to target organized crime groups operating in and around Quebec. These investigations frequently cross borders and involve complex smuggling methods, especially in cases involving cocaine and other hard drugs.

By coordinating with international partners such as the National Police of Peru, CFSEU and the RCMP can better identify supply routes, disrupt distribution networks, and support prosecutions both in Canada and abroad.

Appeal to the Public

The RCMP is asking the public to come forward with any information about suspected drug trafficking or related criminal activity involving individuals or organized groups. Community tips can be critical in identifying and dismantling networks before they expand into additional neighbourhoods.

• If you have information about illegal drug activity or organized crime, contact the RCMP at 514-939-8300 or 1-800-771-5401.
• You may also reach out to your local police department to report suspicious activity.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, cases like this highlight how international drug trafficking networks can directly affect communities in Quebec and across Canada. Cocaine trafficking is closely linked with other harms, including violence, addiction, and property crime. When large-scale importation routes are established, smaller municipalities and remote communities can also see downstream impacts, which we track through localized safety profiles such as our crime statistics and safety data for communities like Three Hills, Alberta.

Residents can help keep their communities safer by staying alert to unusual activity, such as frequent short visits to a residence at all hours, unexplained chemical or fuel odours, or sudden high-traffic patterns around commercial or storage locations. Reporting information to RCMP or local police—no matter how minor it may seem—can provide vital pieces in larger investigations. CrimeCanada.ca will continue to monitor organized crime and drug-trafficking trends nationwide to support evidence-based awareness and prevention.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the canada community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.