Rivard had been engaged in
robbery and smuggling drugs since the 1940s. in his early years, but in the 1956 he moved to
Cuba and operated a
casino, and became involved in the
heroin business. In 1958 he moved back to
Laval, Quebec, and operated the business "Domaine Idéal" to continue dealing drugs and weapons. With Mondoloni and Jean Croce he was involved in narcotics trafficking. Cuban dictator
Fulgencio Batista was paid $20,000 per week to allow the narcotics to be moved. He smuggled guns for
Fidel Castro and his rebels. In October 1963 drug runner Michel Caron was arrested in Texas as he attempted to cross the border from Mexico with 35kg of heroin, while in custody he implicated Rivard. Attorney General
Bobby Kennedy got personally involved and sought to prosecute Rivard. He used a water hose to climb a wall and escape. He was missing for four months before being caught and extradited to the
United States. He was finally captured on 16 July 1965 near
Châteauguay, Quebec. He was extradited to Texas where he served nine years in prison. ==Aftermath==