An investigation initiated earlier this month resulted in the arrest of a 56-year-old resident of Hinchinbrooke on May 25 by officers from the MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent and the MRC de Beauharnois-Salaberry Sûreté du Québec stations.
The individual appeared at the courthouse in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield late that day to face charges relating to drug trafficking and firearms. According to Valérie Beauchamp, an information officer for the SQ, a search operation executed at a residence on Route 202 in Hinchinbrooke resulted in the seizure of more than 20 grams of cocaine, more than 90 grams of cannabis as well as plants, more than $165,000 in Canadian money, firearms, contraband cigarettes, and cellular phones. The Sûreté du Québec’s dog handler also participated in the operation. (SR)
Local departments fight fire in Saint-Étienne-de-Beauharnois
Shortly before 1 a.m. on May 28, firefighters were called to respond to a fire ravaging an agricultural building located behind a residence on the Rang du 20 in Saint-Étienne-de-Beauharnois. The building was so large that firefighters called for additional assistance. Firefighters from Saint-Stanislas-de-Kostka, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield and Sainte-Barbe joined those from Saint-Étienne-de-Beauharnois, Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague, Howick, and Beauharnois, who were already on site.
Maxime Vinet, fire chief of the Saint-Étienne-de-Beauharnois Fire Department, said it took about eight hours to put out the blaze, and that about thirty firefighters helped to contain the fire. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
The building, which is considered a total loss, had been used to make compost. The owners of the property are beef producers.
There were no injuries reported, or loss of animal life.
(Éric Tremblay – Le Journal Saint-François)