Two Suspects Arrested in Montreal Fatal Shooting as Major Organized Crime Investigation Progresses
Two individuals wanted in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred in 2022 have been apprehended by authorities in Montreal and Laval, marking a significant development in an ongoing, large-scale organized crime investigation in Quebec. The arrests were confirmed by police on Friday, January 23, 2026, following operations conducted the previous night.
Details of the Arrests and Suspects
Pedro Kela, aged 38, and Nicko Bélisle, aged 27, were taken into custody after a coordinated police deployment, according to a statement released by Montreal police. The arrests stem from an arrest warrant alleging their involvement in a killing that took place in the Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough back in May 2022.
However, a third suspect, Lee Van Smath Germain, 35, remains at large as of the latest reports. Police have emphasized that efforts to locate Germain are ongoing and have urged the public to assist in the search for his whereabouts.
Connection to Project Alliance and Organized Crime
The arrests were carried out jointly by the Montreal police and the Sûreté du Québec as part of Project Alliance, a specialized joint task force established to examine multiple homicides believed to be linked to organized crime activities in Montreal and other regions across the province.
All three men are accused of causing the death of a man on or around May 11, 2022. Police responded to multiple 911 calls late in the afternoon near the intersection of Shelley Avenue and Crémazie Boulevard East, where they discovered the victim lying on the ground with gunshot wounds. Tragically, the individual was pronounced dead at the scene.
Background on Project Alliance and Previous Arrests
Project Alliance first garnered significant public attention last summer when more than 100 officers executed coordinated raids across Montreal, Laval, and several other cities. This operation resulted in 11 arrests, including notable figures such as Leonardo Rizzuto and Stefano Sollecito, whom police have described as alleged Mafia leaders.
The investigation is believed to have been supported by testimony from Frédérick Silva, a convicted hit man currently serving multiple life sentences, adding a layer of complexity and depth to the probe into organized crime networks in Quebec.
This latest development underscores the persistent efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime and bring those responsible for violent acts to justice, while highlighting the ongoing challenges in addressing such criminal activities within the province.
