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:	post by succubus at 2006-11-22 21:25:27

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...122/20061122?hub=TopStories&s_name=

Montreal mob crackdown nets dozens of suspects
Updated Wed. Nov. 22 2006 4:43 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Montreal police say they struck a major blow to the Mafia there after nabbing some 69 suspected organized crime figures, including reputed mob boss Nicolo Rizzuto, in early morning raids.

More than 700 police officers swept throughout the city Wednesday in an operation dubbed project "Colisée" or "Colosseum."

By the end of the day, police are expected to carry out 90 arrest warrants.

More than 1,000 charges are expected to be laid, include attempted murder, drug dealing, gangsterism, extortion, bookmaking and possession of restricted weapons. Earlier RCMP reports said more than 1,350 charges would be laid.

Authorities reportedly seized assets of some of the accused, including houses and bank accounts.

The RCMP, Montreal police and Quebec provincial police took part in the raids, for which planning began two years ago.

"It's a huge blow, the second in two years after the arrest of Vito Rizzuto," Mafia expert Antonio Nicaso told CTV Newsnet.

"The RCMP were able to arrest all the people who are leading the Rizzuto crime family."

The 82-year-old Nicolo Rizzuto is the father of reputed mob boss Vito Rizzuto, who was extradited to the U.S. this past summer to face racketeering charges in connection with three murders committed 25 years ago.

Vito Rizzutto, 60, was nicknamed the "Teflon Don" because he was acquitted on several drug and arson charges dating back decades.

Authorities in the U.S. had been pushing to have him extradited in connection with the 1981 murders of three mob leaders in the reputed Bonanno crime family.

The murders were made famous by the Hollywood film "Donnie Brasco," and Brooklyn prosecutors allege Rizzuto was the lead triggerman.

Rizzuto has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him in New York District Court.

Vito Rizzuto was not charged in today's sweep. RCMP Cpl. Luc Bessette told a news conference that he would not go into the details of whether Vito Rizzuto was somehow involved in the raids.

Impact on organized crime

La Presse crime reporter Andre Cedilot told CTV News that the operation is especially significant because of the arrest of several other prominent figures allegedly involved in organized crime in Montreal.

These include: Francesco Arcadi, allegedly the acting boss in Montreal ever since Vito Rizutto's extradition; Francesco Del Balso; Lorenzo Giordano; Paolo Renda; and Rocco Sollecito.

"The mafia is in shock now," Cedilot told CTV Montreal. "I'm sure they are in shock because when Vito was extradited some months ago in the States, they were shaking with that news."

Today's arrests, added Cedilot, has likely caused an "earthquake" in the Montreal mafia ranks.

Retired RCMP Chief Superintendent Ben Soave agrees, saying today's massive operation will impact organized crime not just in Montreal, but across the country and even globally.

"It will have huge repercussions from coast to coast and internationally," Soave said in an interview with CTV Newsnet, "because the organized crime group in Montreal is probably one of the most entrenched, stable, long-term criminal organizations that has been going on for many years."

Mob infiltrated airport

Bessette said police discovered the crime organization had infiltrated the Montreal airport.

"Ten people who worked there or used to work there will be charged," he said. "They were helping them (the organization) import cocaine through the airport.''

Bessette said a second Canada Border Services Agency employee is also being sought.

A total of 300 kilograms of cocaine was also found in a container on a train that arrived in Montreal from the U.S.

Nicaso said Montreal is one of the main entry pointsfor narcotics for all of North America.

The Rizzuto family was big into narcotics, but Nicaso thought with time, they will regroup and engage in joint ventures with other organized criminals.

Day 'pleased' with arrests

At a breakfast speech in Ottawa, Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day said he was "very pleased" with how the operation went, in particular because there were no casualties.

"This is one of the largest roundups, we'll call it that, in probably Canadian history," said Day.

"We're sending a message that this government intends to have safe and secure communities. People should not test our resolve."

Outside a Tory caucus meeting, Day would not answer questions about whether any weapons or cash were seized, but he added that "certain assets are being pursued."

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