Memramcook man arrested in connection with multi-province cargo theft ring

A Memramcook man wanted in connection with a multi-million-dollar cargo theft ring has been arrested.

Quebec provincial police detained 53-year-old Ralph Leblanc Thursday after he turned himself in to the RCMP in Shediac.

He is now in custody in Quebec City and made his first court appearance Friday.

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Leblanc is alleged to have been part of a ring that stole more than $5 million in various goods including tractors, luxury cars and food products in almost 80 thefts in New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario.

So far, more than $3 million in goods have been recovered.

A Canada-wide warrant was issued for Leblanc and two Quebec men last week following six police raids, including one in Memramcook.

Police first became aware of the theft ring last July when $1 million worth of frozen lobster meat was stolen from a trailer in Grande-Anse.

A second New Brunswick man, 40-year-old Ghilain LeBlanc of Cap-Bateau faces charges in that theft.