There’s been a lot of news this year concerning Quebeckers finding themselves in tricky and absurd situations, most notably in Mexico. Such as Mathieu Belanger, a 39-year-old drug trafficker with ties to the HAMC and the Los Chapitos, an organization that has been very prevalent in northern and western Mexico. Belanger’s nickname was ‘El Barbu’, which translates roughly to ‘bearded one’ as his beard was very prevalent to his appearance. Belanger was shot to death in a Playa Del Carmen parking lot on Saturday afternoon leaving his wife and kids astray.
Belanger, a Repentigny native, had come into trouble with the law in 2022 when ENCRO, a police task force meant to dismantle organized crime, targeted certain drug traffickers with ties to the Hells Angels MC. Belanger was suspected to be part of a group named ‘Fratrum’, which was allegedly sponsored by full-patch HAMC member, Vincent Boulanger. Authorities suspected Fratrum had an initiative to take control of territories on the island of Montreal. Belanger was targeted by police for breaking parole conditions as well as being in possession of a firearm.
With the SQ looking for him, Belanger decided to flee south with his wife, 33-year-old Andree-Anne Vignola, and their kids. Taking refuge in Mexico. His career as a criminal was far from over, some might even say, it climaxed and might have been a part of the reason for his murder. On March 28th of 2024, Belanger was arrested by Mexican authorities for being in possession of a revolver, ammunition and a substantial amount of methamphetamine in his vehicle. He was not charged with this crime and was later released. All the while the SQ (Quebec Provincial Police) suspected Belanger of being a key player in cocaine exportation to Canada.
Saturday afternoon, in the parking lot of X’aman Ha Plaza in Playa Del Carmen, gunshots rang out and a motorcycle was heard speeding away. While Belanger was entering his black Jeep, two assailants on a motorcycle had managed to come up to the vehicle and fire a series of shots, three of which transpierced through the driver’s side window of the Jeep, killing Belanger. The assailants then sped off on Playa Del Carmen Boulevard, making their get-away.
Belanger, 39-years-old at the time of his death, was shot five times in the head. He had just finished working out at a gym located in the plaza before the assassination. Citizens working the shops at the plaza reported the gunshots, police analyzed the crime scene for several hours, finding a dozen shell casings on the ground. They also noted how the Jeep had no license plate. It is believed Belanger also had ties to Canadian cocaine kingpin and ex-Olympic snowboarder, Ryan Wedding.
This hit comes a year after the targeted assassination of another Quebecker with ties to the HAMC. Samy Tamouro was murder on December 13th of 2023 while working out at a gym in Cancun. Tamouro also had ties to Frederick Silva, the now renowned informant spilling secrets to authorities. Gyms seem to be a recurring theme for a slew of hits. It’s only ironic that a healthy routine can get a man killed.
East and Six will be expanding on this story as more information surfaces, stay tuned!
