The Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux has suspended the liquor licence of Café Bar Sasha in St-Léonard for 40 days following disturbing incidents involving Montreal police officers and the establishment's alleged connections to organized crime figures.
Violent Confrontation with Police
According to official documents from the liquor board, the suspension stems from a series of events that culminated in a violent confrontation on April 14, 2024. That evening, officers from neighbourhood Station 42 responded to the bar located on Bélanger Street near D'Avila Street.
Police reported encountering a particularly troubling scene inside the establishment. Two confirmed Hells Angels members were present among the patrons, along with several individuals known to police for their connections to street gangs and organized crime.
Organized Crime Presence Detailed
The liquor board's summons specifically identified the Hells Angels members as Jessy Kean, 50, and Marcellin (Marsouin) Morin, 58, both full-patch members of the Trois-Rivières chapter. Morin has been a documented gang member since 2006, while Kean reportedly earned his status in 2022.
During the police intervention, one of the Hells Angels members became aggressive and physically shoved an officer who attempted to speak with them. The situation rapidly deteriorated when police attempted to arrest another individual with an extensive criminal record for violence and drug offenses.
Mass Assault on Officers
What followed was a coordinated attack on the police officers. According to the official account, approximately 30 patrons participated in the disturbance, throwing bottles, glasses, buckets, and ice cubes at the officers.
The individual being arrested assaulted officers by pushing them against the walls of the establishment and threatened to urinate on them. As police began withdrawing from the bar, the situation turned even more dangerous.
Two officers were subjected to armed assaults while exiting through the front door. One officer was struck on the head with a bottle filled with an unknown liquid, while another was struck in the face with an unknown object. Police were forced to use pepper spray and telescopic batons to disperse the aggressive crowd.
Previous Security Concerns
The April 2024 incident was not the first security concern at Café Bar Sasha. On June 19, 2023, two men with known ties to street gangs were injured in a shooting at the bar. Police had previously noted the presence of people connected to organized crime at the establishment before this violent event.
The bar's owner, Joseph Cecere, reached an agreement with the liquor board to increase security measures following hearings that began in September. However, the suspension proceeded based on the severity of the incidents and concerns about the establishment's ability to maintain public safety.
When approached by officers during the April incident, Cecere reportedly stated that he knew his clientele included criminal elements but claimed they respected him. He allegedly told police that he lost control of the establishment only when some customers became aggressive after police arrived.
The 40-day suspension represents one of the more significant liquor licence penalties recently imposed in Montreal and underscores ongoing concerns about organized crime presence in local establishments.
