Parole Board Revokes Release in Fentanyl Smuggling Case
The Parole Board of Canada has revoked the statutory release of a man who attempted to use his mother to smuggle fentanyl into a Montreal detention facility. Dominique Héroux, 56, had automatically qualified for release last year after serving two-thirds of his federal sentence, but his freedom was short-lived following a series of troubling incidents.
Mother Acquitted in Elaborate Smuggling Attempt
In a separate criminal trial last year, Héroux's mother, Montreal resident Lise Destroismaisons, was acquitted of attempting to smuggle 100 tiny fentanyl patches into the Rivière-des-Prairies Detention Centre in early 2018. The patches had been meticulously sewn into the lining of a winter jacket that Héroux specifically requested from his mother.
On January 25, 2018, Destroismaisons, then 66, was stopped by a guard during what was supposed to be a visit to see her son. Accompanied by another woman, she attempted to bring items packed in three reusable bags into the facility. A vigilant guard noticed something unusual about a winter jacket inside one of the bags and decided to inspect it more closely.
The guard used scissors to cut into the jacket's inner lining, where she discovered the 100 small fentanyl patches carefully sewn into the fabric to resemble part of the jacket's original design. During her trial, Destroismaisons claimed she was unaware of the patches' presence, stating her son had simply asked her to bring him a jacket and that the other woman accompanying her had handed her the garment just before they entered the jail.
The judge ultimately acquitted Destroismaisons, citing her medical conditions—including scoliosis and limited manual dexterity—as making it improbable she could have performed such meticulous sewing work on the jacket.
Lengthy Criminal History and Recent Violations
Four years after the smuggling attempt, Héroux was sentenced to a 52-month prison term in February 2022 for a series of break-ins committed between 2017 and 2021, along with a conviction for cannabis trafficking. During the burglaries, he stole jewelry and a Bulova watch.
Héroux possesses an extensive criminal record dating back to 1993, with the 2022 sentence marking his fourth incarceration in a federal penitentiary. According to parole documents, he has been convicted of nearly 200 offenses including:
- Acquisitive crimes such as break and enter, fraud, and credit card fraud
- Drug-related offenses
- Breaches of legal obligations
- Escaping lawful custody (1998)
- Impaired driving (2002)
The parole summary also revealed Héroux came from a dysfunctional family, having left home at age 12, and experienced periods of homelessness. His father reportedly attempted to take the lives of his partner and himself during a psychotic episode, an event that deeply traumatized Héroux.
Release Revoked After Halfway House Incident
Last year on October 31, Héroux qualified for statutory release as he had served two-thirds of his sentence without previously receiving parole. The Parole Board imposed a condition requiring him to reside at a halfway house during his release period.
Just two weeks later, on November 15, 2025, an employee at the halfway house witnessed Héroux arguing with another resident who falsely accused him of "snitching" to staff and threatened physical assault. Héroux reported that he vented to staff about the incident and maintained appropriate behavior during the confrontation.
Although Héroux told Correctional Service Canada that the other resident apologized days later, he decided to leave the halfway house anyway, fearing the incident would lead to his release being revoked. He subsequently became illegally at large and was returned to a penitentiary within days.
Since his return to custody, guards seized a shiv from Héroux late last year, and in January, he allegedly assaulted another inmate, breaking the victim's jaw.
Pattern of Institutional Misconduct
During his 2022 sentence, Héroux was believed to have been involved in a contraband delivery made by drone to the penitentiary, further demonstrating his continued engagement with illicit activities while incarcerated.
The Parole Board's decision to revoke Héroux's statutory release highlights the challenges correctional authorities face with repeat offenders who demonstrate persistent patterns of institutional misconduct and failure to comply with release conditions. The case also underscores the ongoing problem of drug smuggling into correctional facilities, despite enhanced security measures and vigilant monitoring.
