Fifteen young people, some of whom were minors, were surprised by police while « partying » inside one of the abandoned buildings of the former Doréa Institute located on Covey Hill Rd. in Franklin on the night of May 14th.
Police officers from the Haut-Saint-Laurent MRC Sûreté du Québec went to the premises after being alerted by a member of the public.
The youth were taken by surprise on site in what is considered by police as a location that appears to be a rather special gathering place.
What is unusual is that all the individuals questioned come from outside the Suroît region. They are from Saint-Eustache, Deux-Montagnes, Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Boisbriand, Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, McMasterville and Saint-Amable.
Charges were laid against two individuals. One 18 year old resident of Deux-Montagnes was arrested for possession of over 100 grams of cannabis. He will appear at the Valleyfield Courthouse in July to face charges of possession of cannabis with intent to traffic.
Another, young 18 year old man from Boisbriand will be charged with obstructing justice for providing a false identity to an officer of the peace.
In addition, the 15 adolescents were each fined $271 under an Haut-Saint-Laurent MRC municipal by-law which stipulates that « it is prohibited for any person to enter or walk around on any private or public property without permission from the owner. »
Translated by Cathleen Johnston
