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Eleven people were arrested in the latest dragnet by Quebec's anti-corruption squad, as police announced Thursday that criminal charges will be laid against small-town municipal officials and construction industry players.

Those arrested are accused of participating in fraud schemes of at least $1-million on public-works projects worth $20-million overall.

The arrests are being tied to construction projects south of Montreal, in several municipalities near the U.S. border including St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. About 77 charges have been laid against those 11, and nine companies, for suspected crimes as well as violations of federal competition laws.

The charges include breach of trust, influencing a public official, defrauding the government, producing and using counterfeit documents, accepting a bribe, extortion and conspiracy.

Those arrested Thursday were being questioned and released. They must appear in court on Sept. 7.

The arrests stem from a two-year investigation and are only the latest in a series conducted by the provincial anti-corruption squad. A public inquiry is also underway.

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