Canada's most wanted fugitive arrested 'in his hideout,' Italian police say
The country's most wanted fugitive, Dave "Pik" Turmel, has been arrested in Italy, according to Italian police sources.
The 28-year-old, who had been on the run for over a year, is believed to be the leader of the Blood Family Mafia (BFM).
The notorious street gang is involved in brutal turf wars in Quebec during which victims have been tortured and have had their limbs amputated.
In a news release issued Friday in response to CBC News inquiries, Rome District Police announced they arrested the head of "a notorious criminal organization."
Turmel was not named in the release, but in a call with CBC News, police confirmed the individual arrested was indeed Turmel.
Dave 'Pik' Turmel, right, was the number 1 suspect of the Bolo Program. Last year, Roobens Denis, left, considered by police to be Turmel's right-hand man, was arrested in Portugal. (Provided by the Service de police de la Ville de Québec )
Italian police said Turmel specialized in the sale of narcotics of various kinds, including cocaine and methamphetamine and was taken "by surprise in his hideout" by the officers of Rome's Casilino district.
"It was almost midnight when officers broke into the holiday home where the man had taken refuge," read the news release. "He immediately tried to barricade himself in, only to give in shortly afterward."
He reportedly handed over a fake passport as identification and police found and confiscated drugs, several SIM-cards and an agenda. They said he is now in jail at Regina Coeli awaiting extradition.
His presence was initially signalled by an alert sent to police by the Interpol International Police Cooperation Service, according to Italian police.
WATCH | The efforts to find Canada's most wanted man:
According to Radio-Canada sources, Quebec police officers received a tip about Turmel in recent days, which helped accelerate the investigation to locate him on the run in Italy.
Sources say the informant was motivated by the reward of up to $250,000 being offered for any information leading to Turmel's arrest.
On Thursday, a spokesperson with the Quebec City police says they could not confirm or deny Turmel's arrest in Italy.
The police agency Interpol had also issued a red notice for him — a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action.
Wanted since 2023
In December, Turmel was named the new number 1 suspect of the Bolo Program, a project operated by a Canadian charity to alert the public about dangerous criminals.
He had been wanted since July 24, 2023 by Quebec City police for several charges, including drug trafficking, conspiracy and armed assault.
Last year, Roobens Denis, 31, considered by police to be Turmel's right-hand man, was arrested in Portugal.
The second most wanted fugitive in Canada is All Boivin, who is believed to be Turmel's sidekick. Police say Boivin is also involved in the violent drug-related turf wars that have erupted in Quebec.
An award of up to $250,000 is being offered until June 3, 2025, for information leading to his arrest.
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