In a stunning display of cartel power, Mathieu Bélanger, a notorious Canadian drug trafficker, was brutally executed in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Initial investigations point to the Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel orchestrating his killing, highlighting the ruthless grip of organized crime on this popular tourist destination.
Bélanger, 39, had been operating a powerful cocaine trafficking gang from Canada, sending shipments to Quebec with the help of the “Los Menores” gang. He had forged alliances with the sons of El Chapo Guzmán and corrupt elements within Mexican police forces, making him one of the most wanted kingpins in Montreal.
After being detained in April 2022 for possession of firearms and drugs, Bélanger was suspiciously released without explanation from either Canadian or Mexican authorities. This incident has sparked outrage in Canada, where he was linked to a cartel exporting large quantities of cocaine to Quebec.
As investigators delved deeper into his operations, it became clear that Bélanger had formed close ties with the Hells Angels motorcycle gang and was involved in a major network supplying narcotics to this international gang. His wife, Andrée-Anne Vignola Sullivan, 33, is also wanted in connection with the case.
Despite fleeing Canada with his family to escape justice, Bélanger remained active in cocaine trafficking in Quebec, continuing to pull the strings within a major network. The Sûreté du Québec had issued a search warrant for him in 2022 for improper storage and unauthorized possession of firearms, as well as negligent use of a firearm.
The execution of Bélanger serves as a grim reminder that the mafia does not forgive. Despite his efforts to escape Canadian justice, he was unable to evade the death sentence handed down by one of Mexico’s most powerful cartels, the Sinaloa Cartel.
As the investigation into his killing continues, it is clear that corruption and violence are entrenched in Playa del Carmen, making it a haven for organized crime. The execution of Mathieu Bélanger will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for those involved in the illicit drug trade, but it also highlights the need for greater cooperation between law enforcement agencies to combat transnational organized crime.
Source: Cambio 22
