Arab Power: How Violent Gangs Are Fueling Montreal’s Crime Surge

Montreal is currently experiencing a troubling surge in violent crime, with certain criminal groups like “Arab Power,” whose members have migration backgrounds, playing a significant role. The “Arab Power” gang, which has rapidly expanded its influence over the past two years, is involved in a range of illegal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, arson, and even murder. Led by Youness Aithaqi and Sylvain Kabbouchi—both of whom operate their network from prison—Arab Power has access to large sums of money from drug and gun trafficking.

The recent arson attack in Old Montreal, which tragically claimed the lives of a mother and her 7-year-old daughter, is suspected to be part of a broader extortion campaign targeting local businesses. This incident highlights the growing instability in Montreal’s criminal landscape, where gangs like Arab Power are engaged in a bloody turf war. The group has clashed with other criminal organizations, including the Hells Angels and their affiliates, in a fight for control of drug sales and other illicit enterprises.

In addition to Arab Power, other gangs, such as the Célestin clan, STL, and Profit Boyz, are heavily involved in violent confrontations and extortion schemes. These groups, driven by young gang members seeking money and notoriety, have turned Montreal into a city besieged by constant violence. Over the past few months, arson, extortion attempts, and murders have rocked the streets, causing fear among residents, shopkeepers, and the police.

What makes the situation more concerning is the instability of the alliances within the criminal underworld. Gangs frequently shift allegiances, making it difficult for law enforcement to predict or control outbreaks of violence. For instance, Arab Power is currently engaged in a violent conflict with the Célestin clan for control of drug sales territories, while the STL gang—often hired by Arab Power for violent acts—has been linked to high-profile attacks like the fatal fire in Old Montreal.

The Profit Boyz, another group mentioned in the article, are noted for their aggressive use of social media to promote violence and recruit younger members, some still in their teens. Their criminal activities, which include drug sales and pimping, extend well beyond the Montreal metropolis, showing how the city’s gang violence has spread.

These gangs, some of whose members come from immigrant families or have migration backgrounds, are reshaping Montreal’s criminal landscape. Their actions—extortion, drug trafficking, arson, and murder—are creating dangerous conditions for innocent civilians and stretching the limits of law enforcement.

To read more about these developments and the broader criminal landscape in Montreal, check out the full article by The Montreal Journal, which provides an in-depth look at the gangs terrorizing the city.