A smuggler with alleged ties to the Hells Angels who made a new life under the Mexican sun with his family in hopes of escaping Quebec justice has been arrested for weapons and drug possession.
Mathieu Bélanger, 39, was arrested by agents on a routine road patrol in Playa Del Carmen, local police announced Friday. Driving his fancy black Chevrolet High Country van, Quebecer allegedly violated the road safety code.
Belanger's luxury black Chevrolet High Country van was temporarily impounded by officers.
Twitter photo of the Municipal Solidarity Police
When patrol officers went inside the vehicle, they found a revolver, ammunition and a large amount of methamphetamine.
Belanger was soon arrested and taken to the station, where he was questioned and photographed. However, he was released shortly after.
Mathieu Bélanger, 39, was issued an arrest warrant by the SQ for possession of a firearm without a permit and improper storage.
Photo courtesy of SQ
Despite several complaints to local authorities, further information on the conditions of his release could not be obtained.
Wanted couple
For two years, the drug trafficker, nicknamed “Barbu,” was the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Sûreté du Québec for unauthorized possession of a firearm, improper storage and reckless use of a firearm. His accomplice, Andre-Anne Vignola Sullivan, 33, is also wanted for this latest charge.
Mathieu Belanger's wife, Andre-Anne Vignola Sullivan.
Facebook photo taken from Andre-Ann Sullivan page
The couple has started a new life in Mexico with their children to escape Canadian justice. According to local police, they live in the state of Oaxaca, nearly 1,500 km from Playa del Carmen.
He still pulls the strings
Bélanger and his better half were targeted as part of the Bercuter investigation, which was carried out in April 2022 by the National Organized Crime Squad (ENRCO) and aimed at dismantling “Fradrum”, a criminal organization that supplied drugs to the Hells Angels.
According to our information, one of the leaders of this group, Mathieu Belanger, was close to Seomak Salemi-Seifedin, alias “Le Perche”, who maintains close ties with the Hells Angels.
Our police sources confirm that although he has fled the country, he is very active in cocaine trafficking in Quebec and continues to pull the strings within an important network.
Nora D. With Lamontagne and Eric Thibault
