MONTREAL

More than half of Quebec's most wanted criminals are hiding in the Dominican Republic, according to police.

Of the 10 people on the most wanted list, six are members of the Hells Angels who fled the province during a massive anti-biker police operation in 2009.

The six of them are accused of a combined 22 murders.

"The bikers have everything you need in the Dominican Republic. They've even organized a chapter there," said Lt. Marc Desaulniers of the Quebec provincial police.

A biker gang by the name of Los Barracos in the Dominican city of Cabarete became an official chapter of the Hells Angels in 2009.

"There is information that leads us to believe that the bikers control a network to sell drugs," said Desaulniers. "They get support from the club that they founded."

The case of David "Wolf" Carroll illustrates the complexity of the cops' efforts to apprehend these fugitives. Reports over recent years have placed him in various locations around the world, though many leads have turned out to be false.

In 2004, information led police to believe Carroll was living in Puerto Plata. When Dominican authorities arrived at the house he was renting, he had already fled.

According to immigration lawyer Stephane Handfield, criminals seek out the Dominican Republic for simple reasons.

"The cost of living is low and there is ample opportunity to take advantage of corrupt authorities," he said.

There is no bilateral extradition treaty between Canada and the Dominican Republic.