Canada's Most Wanted Fugitive, All Boivin, Arrested in Spain

All Boivin, identified as one of the most sought-after fugitives in Canada, has been apprehended by police in Spain. The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) confirmed on Friday that Boivin, 36, originally from Saguenay, Quebec, was arrested by the European Operational Team in Marbella. Boivin had been wanted since February 2023, and authorities believed he had been residing in Marbella prior to his arrest.

Boivin is associated with a series of violent conflicts between criminal organizations that emerged in Quebec in 2022. According to the BOLO Program, which publicizes Canada’s most wanted individuals, Boivin is considered a central figure in what police describe as Quebec’s ongoing drug conflict. He faces several criminal charges, including gangsterism, aggravated assault, kidnapping, abduction, breaking and entering, arms trafficking, and substance trafficking. Authorities further state that he is suspected of involvement in additional criminal activities that remain under active investigation.

The BOLO Program, launched in 2018, is designed to amplify priority wanted notices issued by Canadian police services. In December 2024, Boivin, alongside another Quebecer, Dave "Pic" Turmel, was placed at the top of the program’s list of Canada’s most wanted fugitives. The program had offered a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to Boivin’s arrest. Turmel, alleged head of the Blood Family Mafia, was arrested a few months after Boivin was listed, in Italy, and is currently detained there while contesting extradition.

The arrest of Boivin was announced in a news release by the SQ, which also stated it was in communication with European investigators to confirm the details of the arrest. The SQ Director, Johanne Beausoleil, described Boivin’s apprehension as an important milestone for public safety and for efforts to counter organized crime in Quebec. Beausoleil emphasized that the arrest was the result of long-term investigative work conducted by the SQ and its partners both within Canada and internationally. She highlighted the importance of intelligence sharing and coordination among law enforcement agencies, noting that "criminal groups evolve, relocate and attempt to exploit borders to escape justice. Our response must likewise be coordinated, agile and determined."

The investigation leading to Boivin’s arrest involved close collaboration among the SQ, the RCMP, Interpol, European police authorities, and Spanish officials. Beausoleil expressed gratitude to all involved agencies for their cooperation in the case. Officials have indicated that judicial proceedings related to Boivin's charges will begin while the SQ continues its broader efforts to disrupt organized crime networks, protect the public, and bring suspects before the courts.

Boivin’s connection to Quebec’s criminal landscape is underscored by police reports linking him to a network of organized crime groups whose rivalries have contributed to a series of violent incidents in the province. He is also believed to have collaborated with Dave Turmel, who is alleged by police to be a leading figure in the Blood Family Mafia. The arrest of both individuals in European countries highlights the international dimension of Canadian organized crime investigations and the efforts by suspects to evade justice by crossing borders.

Following Boivin’s placement at the top of the BOLO Program’s list, law enforcement agencies intensified their search for information regarding his whereabouts. The program’s public awareness campaign and reward offering were part of a strategy to solicit leads from the public and increase pressure on fugitives. The arrest in Marbella, a location known as a destination for individuals seeking to avoid law enforcement in their home countries, was carried out by European police acting in concert with Canadian authorities.

The SQ’s ongoing partnership with the RCMP and Interpol has been framed as essential for tackling transnational crime. Intelligence sharing, coordinated operations, and joint investigative strategies have been identified by police officials as key to overcoming the challenges posed by criminal groups that operate across borders and exploit international jurisdictions.

At present, Boivin is facing multiple charges, including allegations of aggravated assault, kidnapping, breaking and entering, and trafficking of drugs and arms. These charges are connected to his alleged role in a broader context of organized criminal activity in Quebec and beyond. The SQ has stated that further investigations are ongoing regarding Boivin’s activities and possible links to other crimes.

The arrest of Boivin and the ongoing detention of Turmel in Italy signal a period of increased cooperation between Canadian and European law enforcement agencies. Judicial proceedings for Boivin are expected to commence following his apprehension, with authorities in Quebec maintaining their focus on dismantling organized crime networks and pursuing other individuals wanted in connection with similar offences.

The arrest has been described by law enforcement officials as a demonstration of the effectiveness of multi-jurisdictional collaboration and the adaptability required to confront organized crime. The case underlines the use of international law enforcement tools and public engagement initiatives, such as the BOLO Program, in the pursuit of high-priority fugitives.

As of the most recent statements, Boivin remains in custody in Spain while authorities in both Canada and Europe coordinate the next steps in the legal process. The SQ, along with the RCMP and Interpol, continues to work on related investigations and on the broader objective of ensuring public safety and the integrity of the justice system.