One of the men now charged in last summer’s brazen execution-style murder of a man in Little Italy is Nicola “Nick” Nero, the alleged kingpin of a major drug-trafficking ring. Another man has also been charged and a third is now sought in John Raposo's murder. Raposo himself had suspected ties to the Mafia.
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: mike68]
#698138 02/20/1306:09 PM02/20/1306:09 PM
The Toronto murder in June 2012 involves some individuals who were arrested in relation to a drug bust in the Niagara region of Ontario in February 2012, and then later in May and November of last year -- see
I'll post some article links later tonight about the events of May and November 2012 so that you can see how these two stories are intertwined. The drug ring was investigated in Project INK 1 and Project INK 2.
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: antimafia]
#698269 02/21/1302:33 AM02/21/1302:33 AM
Drug arrest leads to murder charge for Nero By Karena Walter, The Standard Wednesday, February 20, 2013 8:27:03 EST PM
A massive drug investigation by Niagara Regional Police has led to a first-degree murder charge in Toronto for alleged Niagara-on-the-Lake drug kingpin Nick Nero and two others accused of being part of his organized crime network.
Nero was charged Wednesday in Toronto while his suspected right-hand man Martino Caputo was being held in Germany for extradition. A third man, Rabhih Al Khalil, continues to be sought in relation to the large-scale drug network NRP first uncovered.
On Wednesday, police said all three men from the Niagara drug investigation Project Ink are being charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 35-year-old John Raposo at a Toronto patio last June.
“During the investigation into Project Ink One and Two, information was uncovered that we were able to share with Toronto Police Service that impacted on the Raposo homicide investigation,” said NRP Staff Sgt. Shawn Clarkson Wednesday.
Less than four months ago, Niagara investigators issued cross-Canada warrants for 39-year-old Caputo of Toronto and 25-year-old Al Khalil of the Ottawa and Montreal areas.
The pair were accused of being part of the largest drug ring in Niagara history, in which police allege Nero and his associates imported up to 400 kilograms of cocaine a week into Canada.
The business was estimated to be worth as much as $1.9 billion a year.
Caputo was picked up in Germany on Saturday and held for extradition. He’s being held on the Niagara warrant for drug-related offences.
Al Khalil continues to be sought across Canada and police released his photo Wednesday, asking the public not to approach him but call 911 if he is spotted.
Nero, a former competitive bodybuilder convicted in the 2003 heist of an armoured truck, was arrested in May of 2012 on multiple drug and conspiracy charges.
The charges related to what police called a record-breaking seizure in February 2012 of 110 kilos of pure cocaine worth $30 million.
[snip]
Charges from Project Ink 1, Project Ink 2 and Toronto’s homicide squad
Nicola “Nick" Nero, 36, of Niagara-on-the-lake
- possession for the purpose of trafficking
- conspiracy to possess for the purpose of trafficking
- conspiracy to import cocaine X 2
- conspiracy to traffic drugs X 2
- conspiracy to launder proceeds of crime
- obstruct justice
- participation in a criminal organization
- first-degree murder
Tawnya delBen Fletcher, 28, of Niagara-on-the-lake
- possession for the purpose of trafficking
- conspiracy to possess for the purpose of trafficking
- conspiracy to import cocaine
- conspiracy to traffic drugs
- conspiracy to launder proceeds of crime
- counselling to commit obstruction of justice
- participation in a criminal organization
Jordyn delBen Fletcher, 29, of St. Catharines
- possession for the purpose of trafficking
- conspiracy to possess for the purpose of trafficking
- conspiracy to launder proceeds of crime.
Frank Alessio, 33, of Niagara Falls
- possess for the purpose of trafficking
- conspiracy to possess for the purpose of trafficking
Angelo Alessio, 34, of Niagara Falls
- possess for the purpose of trafficking
- conspiracy to possess for the purpose of trafficking
Courtney Bryan, 32, of Toronto
- obstruct justice
Alfonso Inclima, 39, of Woodbridge
- conspiracy to traffic
- conspiracy to import
- participating in a criminal organization
Nebojsa Dronjak, 39, of Niagara Falls
- conspiracy to traffic
- conspiracy to import
- participating in a criminal organization
Mohamed Reza Amin Torbari, 49, of Vancouver
- conspiracy to traffic
- conspiracy to import
- participating in a criminal organization
Arrest warrants have been issued for:
Martino Caputo, 39, of Toronto
- conspiracy to traffic
- conspiracy to import
- participating in a criminal organization
- first-degree murder
Rabih Al Khalil, 25, of no fixed address
-wanted for first-degree murder
- conspiracy to traffic
- conspiracy to import
- participating in a criminal organization
- first-degree murder
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: antimafia]
#698290 02/21/1309:49 AM02/21/1309:49 AM
Three men accused of orchestrating Johnnie Raposo’s murder before being caught up in a major drug-trafficking bust are believed to have ties to the Mob and outlaw bikers across the country.
Exactly why the trio — one of whom is still on the loose and has ties to Ottawa and Montreal — allegedly hired Dean Wiwchar to kill Raposo in Little Italy last summer is unclear but there has been speculation a debt was involved.
But while Toronto Police homicide detectives have insight into the slaying that they’re not revealing, organized crime specialists suspect drugs and drug ripoffs may have prompted the alleged hit on the 35-year-old.
One Mob expert believes the hit on Raposo has ties to the criminal underworld in Montreal, home of the notorious Rizzuto crime syndicate.
Alkhalil was the fourth and, presumably, final suspect in the murder of John Raposo last June. His arrest was kept under wraps, as he is reported to have been arrested on Saturday, February 23.
Little Italy murder suspect arrested in Greece Fugitive Rabih Alkhalil, 25, has been arrested in Greece for the gangland style murder of John Raposo at the Sicilian Ice Cream Shop on College St. last June. By: Peter Edwards, News reporter Toronto Star Published on Fri Mar 01 2013
[snip]
Alkhalil was arrested in Greece last Saturday and is being held pending extradition on first-degree murder charges, Toronto police said on Friday.
Alkhalil’s also wanted for drug- and organized-crime-related offences by Niagara Regional Police Service and the Surete Du Quebec.
Alkhalil is the fourth man arrested for the mob-style hit. Landlord Martino Caputo, 39, was arrested in Germany on Feb. 16 and is being held on first-degree murder charges, pending extradition.
Caputo’s also wanted by Niagara Regional Police on drug charges....
MORGAN: Why didn't you fight him at the park if you wanted to? I'm not goin' now, I'm eatin' my snack. CHUCKIE: Morgan, Let's go. MORGAN: I'm serious Chuckie, I ain't goin'. WILL: So don't go.
It's amazing how few and far between mob hits in the U.S. are today compared to Canada. It seems in Canada that it's harder to catch someone and it's still a common way of doing business in that life.
There's less incentive to crack down on organized crime up here, I think. The people generally don't seem to care or even aware that there is a large (and fairly powerful) organized crime contingent here. So long as the police are pushing stories about busting up biker gangs and taking down grow ops, then they look good, and that's what matters to them, I guess.
You don't see a whole lot of headlines about OC in national news media here, they are mostly confined to local outlets and rarely get wide exposure. You'd be surprised how little coverage the Rizzutos get outside of Quebec, for example. On the other hand, the HA/Rock Machine war was big news that was covered extensively by everyone. It's very strange what gets reported on and what doesn't here.
Slumpy, HA is most definitely an incredibly powerful organised crime force in Canada. Nationwide the scope of Hells Angels most definitely exceeds that of the Rizzuto group in both revenue and power. To say that police are content with "busting biker gangs" while ignoring "oeganized crime" , in a thread that happens to be about a Hells Angels fronted 1.5 billion dollar drug ring is a little misguided.
I misspoke when I said "organized crime" I really meant "italian organized crime".
What I'm saying is because they (the HA, or bikers in general) have much higher visibility and because they try to control turf, they are perceived as much more immediate threat to the public at large (by the public). Most Canadians aren't even aware that the Rizzuto organization exists, and fewer could probably name the Siderno Group; but you can bet every single one has heard of the Hells Angels.
They are easier to bust, the public is far more aware of them, so the police tend to go for that low hanging fruit. Most bikers are committing street level crime. Yeah, they make bank, and yes, they are very powerful in some Canadian cities. I didn't mean to insinuate that they don't fall under the umbrella of "organized crime", they do, but let's be honest, they're basically street gangs on motorcycles.
If you'd like, I can provide you some resources that illustrate the scale of Hells Angels activities in Canada. You seem to be a tad bit mistaken regarding the scope of their nationwide operations.
The HA present a larger nationwide OC threat than either the Rizzuto group or the Siderno group.
Last edited by SonnyBlackstein; 01/28/1605:25 PM.
MORGAN: Why didn't you fight him at the park if you wanted to? I'm not goin' now, I'm eatin' my snack. CHUCKIE: Morgan, Let's go. MORGAN: I'm serious Chuckie, I ain't goin'. WILL: So don't go.
I don't think you guys get what I'm driving at here. I'm saying the police target them more often because they are more visible, the public is more aware of them because they are so widespread. I'm not underestimating their power, I'm saying they tend to get caught more and are easier to catch.
The Hells Angels make good headlines, because they are more relevant to more canadians' daily lives. There is therefore more incentive to focus resources on curbing the biker world than there is the Italian organized crime world.
But not all HA chapters are equal, either. Not every full patch member is wealthy. A lot of those guys are in and out of jail constantly for petty, street level shit. I mean, if you're talking about guys like Walter Stadnick in his day, then yeah, fair enough, but not every HA is at that level.
italian mafia is active in less places than ha in canada but it's more powerful i read it has links with politicians and a lot of businessmen, i doubt bikers have political links
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: mike68]
#874524 02/03/1610:17 PM02/03/1610:17 PM
The cops are nuts. No one is going to say shyte. If I was a witness why in the he ll would I make myself a potential court witness to the murder of an antisocial psychopath at the hands of other antisocial psychopaths? I suppose they rely on that. They live by the sword they die by the sword though. It's karma. At least these guys did it the 'right way' and didn't shoot up a crowded patio, machine gun a cafe or blow up a 12 year old riding his bike. They waited until he was alone, away from crowds, away from his family, etc.
Toronto police won't say if Etobicoke murder was a mob hit BY NEWS STAFFPOSTED FEB 3, 2016 3:53 PM EST LAST UPDATED FEB 3, 2016 AT 8:21 PM EST COURTS CRIME LOCAL
He was sitting beside John Raposo when he was assassinated in Little Italy in 2012 but Toronto police aren’t saying if the recent murder of Freddie Patriarca was also a mob hit.
The 42-year-old victim’s home security system recorded Patriarca driving into his Etobicoke garage at 6:24 p.m. on Jan. 20. A short time later, the suspect in his murder runs into the garage. The suspect is then seen running away, heading toward the Kingsway and Princess Margaret Boulevard.
It took just eight seconds to kill Patriarca. Several people heard gunshots and ran to help the father of two but there was nothing they could do.
In June 2012, Patriarca was wounded when a gunman walked onto the patio of the Sicilian Cafe on College Street and fired at close range, killing 35-year-old John Raposo. The gunman was dressed as a construction worker and wearing a painter’s mask.
The suspect, Dean Wiwchar of Stouffville was arrested a few days later in a big takedown in the Parliament and Gerrard area. Two others suspected of plotting the Raposo hit are also in custody, Martino Caputo and Rabioh Al Khalil.
That number, 1.9 billion, looks like an estimate after the stuff is cut and moved on the street.
There is a similar number attached to the Gambino arrest, over a billion on the street, after cuts and distribution.
The Hells Angels, if I'm not mistaken, don't have contacts in South America, direct to the producers, or control importation or even transportation. They control distribution points in the streets. These organizations are easy to kill, I know, cause Chicago was saturated with em in the 90s.
No the real threat is always the suppliers, hence the mafia. The bikers are junior partners....
The Mafia has international (European and South American) connections but cannot compete with outlaw bikers in terms of muscle.
The HA for example have 31 chapters and 400 patch members in Canada (http://news.nationalpost.com/hells-angels-in-canada). The mob in Canada cannot compete with that sort of manpower. It's power lies in its connections.
So each has a different kind of strength.
Last edited by SonnyBlackstein; 02/03/1611:43 PM.
MORGAN: Why didn't you fight him at the park if you wanted to? I'm not goin' now, I'm eatin' my snack. CHUCKIE: Morgan, Let's go. MORGAN: I'm serious Chuckie, I ain't goin'. WILL: So don't go.
Just to play devil's advocate: if the HA were to disappear tomorrow, there are dozens of organizations waiting in the wings to fill the void as street level distributors and enforcers. If the Mafia's connections are lost, they might not be so easy to replace, possibly.
Just to play devil's advocate: if the HA were to disappear tomorrow, there are dozens of organizations waiting in the wings to fill the void as street level distributors and enforcers. If the Mafia's connections are lost, they might not be so easy to replace, possibly.
Absolutely. No argument here.
I was simply pointing out each organization represents a different type of power, rather than a competing one.
MORGAN: Why didn't you fight him at the park if you wanted to? I'm not goin' now, I'm eatin' my snack. CHUCKIE: Morgan, Let's go. MORGAN: I'm serious Chuckie, I ain't goin'. WILL: So don't go.
They're finally beginning to open their eyes but in a lot if ways Canada is a left wing country closer to Western Europe than the US. And liberals have traditionally been soft on crime of all kinds, including organized crime.
As far as Italian OC and the Hells Angels in Canada, the Hells Angels do operate more widely across the country. The Italians are mainly found in the eastern part of the country. And in those places where the Italians have a strong presence, they seem to be the more sophisticated and better connected group and higher on the criminal food chain. In those places where the HA are higher up its because there is little or no Italian presence to begin with. I'm not sure how much the manpower difference would come into play in the very unlikely event of a head to head conflict. It's not like nations where every HA member across Canada is going to be drafted to fight.
Mods should mind their own business and leave poster's profile signatures alone.
They're finally beginning to open their eyes but in a lot if ways Canada is a left wing country closer to Western Europe than the US. And liberals have traditionally been soft on crime of all kinds, including organized crime.
As far as Italian OC and the Hells Angels in Canada, the Hells Angels do operate more widely across the country. The Italians are mainly found in the eastern part of the country. And in those places where the Italians have a strong presence, they seem to be the more sophisticated and better connected group and higher on the criminal food chain. In those places where the HA are higher up its because there is little or no Italian presence to begin with. I'm not sure how much the manpower difference would come into play in the very unlikely event of a head to head conflict. It's not like nations where every HA member across Canada is going to be drafted to fight.
Wasn't JFK, a Democract, known for cracking down on the Mafia?
Believe it or not, this issue might not just come down to left vs. right.
It won't matter which party is in power, there will be no push to deal with italian OC until there is a public outcry to do so. Back in the early 90's, nobody gave a shit about the HA either until the HA/Rock Machine war started resulting in civilian casualties. In particular, I remember a little boy was killed by shrapnel from a car bomb, which ended in widespread protests that became the catalyst for LE intervention.
Point being, Canadians are a very subdued people, who very frequently have an overly sunny perspective of this nation because we are not exposed to the seedy underbelly by the media as much as we should be; I suspect the liberal use of publication bans may play a significant role as to why that might be. LE are (often) content to rest on their laurels until they are pushed to act. I also suspect Quebec's provincial government has a big problem with corruption. Quebec is just a whole other animal, the politics coming out of that province are totally unique. You have the typical right/left dichotomy, but it also splits along separatist politics.
They're finally beginning to open their eyes but in a lot if ways Canada is a left wing country closer to Western Europe than the US. And liberals have traditionally been soft on crime of all kinds, including organized crime.
As far as Italian OC and the Hells Angels in Canada, the Hells Angels do operate more widely across the country. The Italians are mainly found in the eastern part of the country. And in those places where the Italians have a strong presence, they seem to be the more sophisticated and better connected group and higher on the criminal food chain. In those places where the HA are higher up its because there is little or no Italian presence to begin with. I'm not sure how much the manpower difference would come into play in the very unlikely event of a head to head conflict. It's not like nations where every HA member across Canada is going to be drafted to fight.
Wasn't JFK, a Democract, known for cracking down on the Mafia?
Believe it or not, this issue might not just come down to left vs. right.
It was more his brother, Robert, as attorney general. And I'm speaking in general.
Mods should mind their own business and leave poster's profile signatures alone.
Sure, not every HA member is a millionaire, but there are many who are. Just as not every Sidernese mobster in the GTA or every Rizzuto is a millionaire either. I mean, look at the Acardi? Shakedown of a coffee shop, definitely something I'd expect more from a common street hoodlum, not a wealthy supposed mafia boss. I would definitely say that membership across the two groups in question would be relatively representative of Canadian society in general, if not skewed toward the upper end of it.
Ha do have political links as well, there are several instances of lobbyists, mayors and even high level judicial authorities being very closely associated with different chapters. For quite some time the head of the provincial biker squad in Quebec was taking multi hundred thousand dollar pay offs fr the Nomads.
They also did have links to Colombian cartels in the 90s/early 2000s. That affiliation has obviously now switched to the Sinaloa cartel given the latter groups domination of cocaine exports to north America. I can think of at least three relatively recent large busts which feature Hells Angels groups directly importing cocaine from Sinaloa cartel in Canada. The Amero operation, who supplied this particular group mentioned in this news article being one of them. If you want to go back a decade, there was also multi hundred million dollar western wind bust in BC. Something like 5000 lbs of cocaine being transported from Colombia directly to a prominent BC Hells Angels chapter.
Ivy, three regions in Canada come to mind when discussing Italian oc in Canada, Montreal, Hamilton and the base GTA region, is Toronto and Woodbridge. Even if you consider the Rizzuto group to be "higher up" and "more sophisticated" in Montreal, would you really argue the same for the other two regions ? I'd love to see the supposed sophistication of the Commissos or the Luppino group or even the Musitanos.
I would have to see a link on the HA connects to cartels; In the 90s to 2000s I mean......
I don't think that's right, actually I'm positive. If they had the streets and the dope, they woulda never needed an alliance with the mafia, what would have been the point? Also, and I don't mean to stereotype them all, but what would they even do? Ride up to a Colombian paramilitary on a bike and negotiate? These mafia connects in South America go back decades, and that's where you had go to negotiate a 5000 kilo load. (This is, like, a transitional period, before the Mexicans totally took over)Are you sure the HA imported it? That would be interesting....
Remember that guy, that Rizzuto guy, Oreste Pagano, I think? He arranged a 5000 kilo load in the late 90s. I just never heard of the HA having those connects. They appeared more like, the Naples NCO, or the GDs in Chicago in the 90s, organizations with huge memberships, thus a huge street pressence, but you have to maintain this with violence, which is always unsustainable.
@Sonny That's really a point I've been trying to make for awhile now, the differences between the two types of organizations, (Enterprise vs Power syndicate) and that they are really hard to compare, but it falls on deaf ears often...
@Azure I wasn't so much speaking on sophistication, more on the fact that the HA source of power, is violence in the street, and control of territory, rather than control of the narcotics supply, understand I NEVER heard of HA controlling the supply, it was always Rizzutos and the Siderno group, the HA controlled WHO got to sell WHAT, and WHERE they sell it, and WHEN. That's what got em a seat at the table.
Now having said all that, I do think it's very LIKELY that the HA would have a direct line to one of the Cartels today. See this is a question I BEEEEN asking people, If Ndrangheta controls the European Coke trade, and Mexico controls the NA Coke trade, where does that leave the Rizzutos? An organization whose power was based on them being the preeminent Italian suppliers of Coke this side of the world. It would make sense that Sinaloa would sell direct to them, like I said, what's the point of Rizzuto middlemen in 2016? The HA might be stronger in Montreal today than the Rizzutos, not sure, but it could be very possible, any thoughts??
I don't have the book with me at the moment, but I believe it is "Biker Trials" by Paul Cherry that details the links. It has a free preview on google books so if you Google the name Sandra Antelo and/or Guy Lepage it will turn up relevebt information. The Nomads were initially going through Antelo(the daughter of a drug lord) in the early 90s, then later going direct to Colombia themselves.
Niiice!!! I need a new book, thnx a lot....... I remember reading about HA, IN BUSINESS SUITS, and operating like any corporate boss would, and being surprised.. I think it was Sixth Family, maybe another book.....
But their power was traditionally goon squads, lol..
In the article, they mention a "rizzuto relative and two brothers" who are rizzuto loyalists.. any idea who the 3 characters are that the article is referring to?
^^^^ The "relative" is not a relative—the reference is probably being made to the man whose wife is a first cousin of Vito Rizzuto's wife; or to this man's father-in-law, who is the uncle of Rizzuto's wife. You and anyone else should feel free to PM me for names and details.
The brothers are the Caputo twins, one of whom is implicated in the murder of Johnnie Raposo.
I don't have the book with me at the moment, but I believe it is "Biker Trials" by Paul Cherry that details the links. It has a free preview on google books so if you Google the name Sandra Antelo and/or Guy Lepage it will turn up relevebt information. The Nomads were initially going through Antelo(the daughter of a drug lord) in the early 90s, then later going direct to Colombia themselves.
That information is 20 years old. It's unclear how much the HA obtained through their Colombian connect (LePage claims there were five total shipments, equaling out to several tonnes of cocaine) What about here and now? That is the debate. Not what the HA were doing in 1997; the Nomad chapter is totally defunct. Do you have evidence that the Colombian connection survived the Nomads?
Not sure if you were following the exchange between Cabrini and I, however he specifically asked for references to the Hells Angels connections to Colombian suppliers 20 years ago. For modern day examples, you can look at the Larry Amero bust of the Amero and Gisby groups in BC. I don't really have time to dig through indictments, articles etc, but if you give me some time I certainly can.
do you have seriouse sources that explain the political connections of bikers? i hardly believe they have some i read that a minister of canada (alfonso gagliano) is a member of the mafia, i think italian mafia is more powerful than bikers
Mobsters Are Getting Whacked Off All Over the Place in Toronto
By Jake Kivanc Editorial Intern February 5, 2016
Last week, Rocco Zito—a long-retired Toronto crime boss—was found shot to death in his home, allegedly slain by his son-in-law. Zito died at 87, a long life for anyone, but especially long for a former mob boss believed to have been involved in up to six murders. Even more surprising was that he wasn't the only old-school mobster recently killed in Toronto.
Just a week prior, Alfredo Patriarca—an alleged member of the American-based Patriarca crime family—was assassinated in the garage of a house he rented. The police released a video Wednesday that shows an assailant donning a white parka and black jeans fleeing the scene, and questions have been raised whether it has something to do with a previous attempt on his life.
While gang disputes in Toronto have floated in and out of the public consciousness during the last decade, the classic image of European mafias that once dominated pop culture have largely faded into obscurity. Consequently, these new murders have stuck out.
James Dubro has an encyclopedic knowledge of Canadian crime. From the biggest biker gangs to the triads to various mafias to rag-tag teams of criminals, Dubro has documented the most bloody and brutal parts of Canadian criminal history for the last 42 years. If he had a resume, his skills would include having hitmen as friends and access to a rolodex of mob bosses you only see in films like The Godfather.
Starting as a documentary journalist in 1974, Dubro covered a swath of Canadian gang activity from the 1970s to the 90s. Some of the highlights included the ups and downs of Ontario's Calabrian mafia, and the various warring factions of Asian gangs on the west coast. He's covered biker gangs like the Hells Angels and Rock Machine, as well as the Montreal-based Rizzuto crime family.
In Canada, it's hard to find anyone better qualified to speak about organized crime, so I called him up to get a clearer idea of what's happening to the criminal world.
VICE: If you're willing to spill some of your secrets—how did you begin to gain access to sources within organized crime? James Dubro: It was very different in the 70s. We were lucky to have the CBC behind us with money. We actually spent three years researching one documentary and they had resources that they gave us. I cultivated organized crime sources, which includes everything from mistresses, to ex-members of biker gangs, mafias, and various organized crime groups, Asian crime groups.
In those days, there was no internet. I started by spending a few months at the library. I know that sounds ridiculous now, but there was no Google. There was nothing. I had to use cards on which I wrote everything. I had a file card system. Basically, I spent a lot of time, a lot of money. I had to wine and dine sources—we actually had a budget for that. A Mountie will talk a lot better after he's had a few glasses of booze. In the early 70s, the cops were very suspicious of reporters, but they weren't suspicious anymore after a few drinks.
What was the climate of organized crime like in Canada in the 70s and 80s? In the 70s it was very different. Vancouver has always been very interesting and the [west coast] has always been Asian gangs. It's something that goes back almost 100 years. You also have a lot of independent gangs in Vancouver. The white boys, the bikers, the street gangs, and all that. There's been a lot of violence in these gangs, a lot of killings in Vancouver. That's stayed the same.
In Montreal, it was always very violent because of its location. Drugs would always come through there, bootleg booze would pass through. It was also always much more structured, when compared to Ontario at least. We've had our ups and downs.
Toronto is really a different kettle of fish. The last real godfather we had in Toronto was Paul Volpe. [Volpe was assassinated in 1983 at the age of 55.] Volpe wasn't really the godfather of Toronto, but he was the closest thing to it. That means he was someone who everybody in the underworld respected and feared.
In terms of who controls the game nowadays—who's moving the drugs and doing the most business—have gangs replaced the mafia in Canada? Well, the mafia is weakened nowadays. From [police activities] to infighting, it has gone down a bit. Bikers have this issue too—a lot of police activities. You'll see on the streets here in Toronto that most of the shootings and crime happens from [Haitian/Jamaican gangs and Triads]. I read something in the paper yesterday that said the 'Ndrangheta [a prominent Italian crime family] is the biggest and most dangerous mafia in the world. That would be true if you brought all the different sects together. There are many, many, many cells of these mafias and they don't work together most of the time. The public thinks of it in a distorted way.
Is organized crime as organized as we perceive it to be? Each place is different, but that's part of the story. People work together in different operations, drug rings work together, and people set up rivalries. That's why you see these killings, two in Toronto that are organized-crime connected—Rocco Zito and Alfredo Patriarca. You have problems and divisions and rivalries, and the way to solve them in organized crime is often to just shoot the person, to kill them, to get rid of them.
Let's talk about the Rocco Zito killing. The police are saying it was just a dispute between a son-in-law and his father. We don't know that—it's just alleged. One of the ways of forming alliances in these circles is to marry your daughter off to a rival family. It's unclear yet if it's a domestic dispute or a rival action or both. We'll find out in time, and people like to jump to conclusions very quickly.
What was the legacy of Rocco Zito? From talking to some of the people who work for him, it's that a lot of people in the underworld respected and feared him. He brought in drugs quietly and he provided illegal card games. He was very good at illegal gambling operations here in Ontario.
Is there anything brewing right now in organized crime that we have to keep an eye on? These things change and they're flexible. They're not written in stone. I don't think there's going to be a mob [or biker] war in Ontario. I think whatever war there was in Quebec recently is now sorted out and, presumably, under the new leaders of the Rizzuto family, there will be less bloodshed. British Columbia, there's always battles because no one's supreme. There's always killings and there's always vengeance and there's always drug turf wars because there's so much money to be made.
Do you think most people don't understand how organized crime really works? I think most people have a very simplified view of organized crime. People often ask me who the boss of Toronto is, as if it's that simple. It isn't, it's extremely complex, and when you're talking about British Columbia crime, there has never been one person in charge. This is also very fluid and changing. It only really takes a gun and a couple of people to shoot the boss—if there is a boss—and it's happened. It's happened in Atlantic City, in New York City. It's happened in Toronto. No matter how respected or feared you are, it only takes one bullet to end your reign. http://www.vice.com/read/we-spoke-to-an-...source=vicefbus
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: mike68]
#875277 02/12/1601:18 PM02/12/1601:18 PM
Good article. I didn't know about Aflredo Patriarca. Has that even been mentioned on these forums? If he's related to the Patriarcas in Providence then it may be quite significant. Also, it seems as if Dubro hasn't been following Montreal too much lately.
"It was between the brothers Kay -- I had nothing to do with it."
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: Sonny_Black]
#875282 02/12/1601:36 PM02/12/1601:36 PM
Good article. I didn't know about Aflredo Patriarca. Has that even been mentioned on these forums? If he's related to the Patriarcas in Providence then it may be quite significant. Also, it seems as if Dubro hasn't been following Montreal too much lately.
I am not sure but I HIGHLY doubt he has anything to do with Boston and Providence.
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: mike68]
#875284 02/12/1601:36 PM02/12/1601:36 PM
MORGAN: Why didn't you fight him at the park if you wanted to? I'm not goin' now, I'm eatin' my snack. CHUCKIE: Morgan, Let's go. MORGAN: I'm serious Chuckie, I ain't goin'. WILL: So don't go.
Murder of Alfredo Patriarca
[Re: IvyLeague]
#875960 02/18/1606:17 PM02/18/1606:17 PM
Article about the person accused of killing Johnny Raposo at the Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe in Toronto a few years ago; the article is about a different case.
"Accused killer Dean Michael Wiwchar loses appeal of firearms convictions"
I think getting this to trial has been very complicated.
Wiwchar was already facing charges in British Columbia in an unrelated matter.
Nero was facing charges in relation to Project Ink (Phase I, I think--I can check later) and was in prison when he was charged in relation to Raposo's murder.
Alkhalil was hiding out in Greece, and he was also facing charges in relation to Operation Loquace (maybe Phase I of Project Ink, too--again, I can check later).
Caputo was hiding out in Germany, and he was also facing charges in relation to both Project Ink (probably Phase I) and Operation Loquace.
I can't recall at the moment whether Alkhalil or Caputo or both were charged in relation to Raposo's murder while sitting in jail, after first having been extradited to Canada.
Then of course there is the whole issue of whether Alfredo Patriarca's murder was related to Raposo's murder; whether Patriarca may have have been involved in the latter. I'm not sure of all the reasons, but perhaps law enforcement needed and wanted to round up all the suspects before moving things along?
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: antimafia]
#910143 04/05/1710:21 PM04/05/1710:21 PM
Very insightful, I guess we can also say there is no honor among drug dealers. I think they used the rat excuse to rip the guy off to make a quick buck. I find it odd that the journalist made no reference to Alfredo Patriarca.
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: Ciment]
#910205 04/06/1708:20 PM04/06/1708:20 PM
Very insightful, I guess we can also say there is no honor among drug dealers. I think they used the rat excuse to rip the guy off to make a quick buck. I find it odd that the journalist made no reference to Alfredo Patriarca.
Perhaps the crime reporters will only be able to mention Patriarca in their stories if and when his name should come up in the trial of the four individuals accused in the murder of Raposo.
If the Crown and the defence are prevented from raising Patriarca's murder in this trial--and I don't even know whether that is true or not--I suspect the reason or reasons could or would apply to the media's being unable to mention Patriarca in their articles about the trial.
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: antimafia]
#910298 04/07/1710:41 PM04/07/1710:41 PM
I forgot to mention--and I forgot to post an article from a week ago--that one of the defence lawyers argued that the murdered Fred Lavoie was behind the killing of Raposo. For context, see
The jury in this Johnnie Raposo murder trial didn't know that Lavoie was murdered in Colombia. Lavoie had apparently been importing 400 kg of coke into Canada every month--that is unreal!
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: antimafia]
#912782 05/14/1709:47 PM05/14/1709:47 PM
I think getting this to trial has been very complicated.
Wiwchar was already facing charges in British Columbia in an unrelated matter.
Nero was facing charges in relation to Project Ink (Phase I, I think--I can check later) and was in prison when he was charged in relation to Raposo's murder.
Alkhalil was hiding out in Greece, and he was also facing charges in relation to Operation Loquace (maybe Phase I of Project Ink, too--again, I can check later).
Caputo was hiding out in Germany, and he was also facing charges in relation to both Project Ink (probably Phase I) and Operation Loquace.
I can't recall at the moment whether Alkhalil or Caputo or both were charged in relation to Raposo's murder while sitting in jail, after first having been extradited to Canada.
Then of course there is the whole issue of whether Alfredo Patriarca's murder was related to Raposo's murder; whether Patriarca may have have been involved in the latter. I'm not sure of all the reasons, but perhaps law enforcement needed and wanted to round up all the suspects before moving things along?
When reading the article to which I've linked below, please bear in mind that, a number of years ago, there was a Project Ink I and a Project Ink II.
"Police investigate shooting death outside Oakville home"
^^^^ Tap/click link on the below to read about the six men charged with conspiring to murder, between 2011 and 2012, the recently murdered Dean Costanza (killed December 3, 2017).
^^^^ Tap/click link on the below to read about the six men charged with conspiring to murder, between 2011 and 2012, the recently murdered Dean Costanza (killed December 3, 2017).
IF you look at some of the names in Project Ink,Clemenza and Loquace.
You can see a link with Rabih Alkalil, Martin Caputo, Liborio [BadWord], Amero,Laventis. This must be the alliance between Montreal mafia & the Wolfpack that Peter Edwards had mentioned in a previous article.
Last edited by Ciment; 12/05/1708:56 PM.
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: Ciment]
#927682 01/25/1811:23 PM01/25/1811:23 PM
^^^^ Tap/click link on the below to read about the six men charged with conspiring to murder, between 2011 and 2012, the recently murdered Dean Costanza (killed December 3, 2017).
IF you look at some of the names in Project Ink,Clemenza and Loquace.
You can see a link with Rabih Alkalil, Martin Caputo, Liborio [BadWord], Amero,Laventis. This must be the alliance between Montreal mafia & the Wolfpack that Peter Edwards had mentioned in a previous article.
The Wolf Pack just got a whole lot weaker. Larry Amero, along with Dean Wiwchar, has been charged in relation to murders committed in 2012 in British Columbia. This is very big news.
Hells Angel Larry Amero arrested and charged in 2012 murder plots of rivals
It will be interesting to know if their rivals the United Nations will take advantage of this situation and strike when their down. Also, will the Ontario Ndrangheta begin to apply more pressure on these guys now that their weaker ?
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: Ciment]
#927929 01/28/1808:13 PM01/28/1808:13 PM
It will be interesting to know if their rivals the United Nations will take advantage of this situation and strike when their down. Also, will the Ontario Ndrangheta begin to apply more pressure on these guys now that their weaker ?
The July 30 article that Peter Edwards wrote last year ("Shootings, explosions, killings and the bloody fight to be ‘the next boss’ after mobster Vito Rizzuto’s death"; https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/20...s-after-mobster-vito-rizzutos-death.html) seems to suggest that the Wolf Pack was not only trying to push its way into the Greater Toronto Area but also the Niagara Region. I don't recall there being an article that specifically mentions such an incursion but I do see some hints of this happening. For example, Martino Caputo and Rabih Alkhalil were associated with Nick Nero, and those first two had ties to Larry Amero. So if there's a push into the Niagara Region, then the Wolf Pack 1) may be butting heads with the Musitano group and the Luppino-Violi group, which could be allies, or 2) may be butting heads with only the Luppino-Violi group if the Musitano group still has ties--even tenuous--with the Montreal Mafia faction that consisted of Rizzuto loyalists. But I don't see those two Hamilton-based groups being at odds just because Pat Musitano was on friendly terms with Vito Rizzuto and Francesco Arcadi in the late 1990s (and who knows what happened after Vito went away in 2004, after Pat and Angelo got out in 2006, and after Vito was released in 2012?).
The Wolf Pack may have issues with specific individuals or elements of the Greater Toronto Area Siderno Group (the Commisso brothers and their relatives) and with particular Cun-treras in Vaughan (in York Region). Edwards's article predicted that the 'ndrangheta and the Wolf Pack would each dig in its heels, and I think this is how the conflict will play out. The Commisso brothers are formidable, and I think Anastasios Leventis underestimated the possible retaliatory response from them. What is very intriguing about the article is that you can't tell whether Leventis was killed because he was trying to collect a drug debt from a Commisso or vice versa, but what we do know is that Leventis, who moved from Montreal to Toronto more than a year before the publication of Edwards's article, had moved to Toronto to collect drug debts owed to Montrealers. Was the GTA Siderno Group doing business with people in Montreal like Leventis's brother? Why would the 'ndrangheta try to stiff the Montrealers? And with which Montrealers was business being transacted?
Link to Edwards's article that was published earlier today:
College St. hitman charged in West Coast shootings
It will be interesting to know if their rivals the United Nations will take advantage of this situation and strike when their down. Also, will the Ontario Ndrangheta begin to apply more pressure on these guys now that their weaker ?
The July 30 article that Peter Edwards wrote last year ("Shootings, explosions, killings and the bloody fight to be ‘the next boss’ after mobster Vito Rizzuto’s death"; https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/20...s-after-mobster-vito-rizzutos-death.html) seems to suggest that the Wolf Pack was not only trying to push its way into the Greater Toronto Area but also the Niagara Region. I don't recall there being an article that specifically mentions such an incursion but I do see some hints of this happening. For example, Martino Caputo and Rabih Alkhalil were associated with Nick Nero, and those first two had ties to Larry Amero. So if there's a push into the Niagara Region, then the Wolf Pack 1) may be butting heads with the Musitano group and the Luppino-Violi group, which could be allies, or 2) may be butting heads with only the Luppino-Violi group if the Musitano group still has ties--even tenuous--with the Montreal Mafia faction that consisted of Rizzuto loyalists. But I don't see those two Hamilton-based groups being at odds just because Pat Musitano was on friendly terms with Vito Rizzuto and Francesco Arcadi in the late 1990s (and who knows what happened after Vito went away in 2004, after Pat and Angelo got out in 2006, and after Vito was released in 2012?).
The Wolf Pack may have issues with specific individuals or elements of the Greater Toronto Area Siderno Group (the Commisso brothers and their relatives) and with particular Cun-treras in Vaughan (in York Region). Edwards's article predicted that the 'ndrangheta and the Wolf Pack would each dig in its heels, and I think this is how the conflict will play out. The Commisso brothers are formidable, and I think Anastasios Leventis underestimated the possible retaliatory response from them. What is very intriguing about the article is that you can't tell whether Leventis was killed because he was trying to collect a drug debt from a Commisso or vice versa, but what we do know is that Leventis, who moved from Montreal to Toronto more than a year before the publication of Edwards's article, had moved to Toronto to collect drug debts owed to Montrealers. Was the GTA Siderno Group doing business with people in Montreal like Leventis's brother? Why would the 'ndrangheta try to stiff the Montrealers? And with which Montrealers was business being transacted?
Link to Edwards's article that was published earlier today:
College St. hitman charged in West Coast shootings
If true that the Wolfpack have issues with the Commisso's and the Cun-treras then this would put Liborio Cun-trera at odds with his relatives in Vaughan, York Region. It will be interesting how all this will play out. It seems to be quiet at the moment, could this be the calm before the storm.
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: mike68]
#927937 01/28/1809:11 PM01/28/1809:11 PM
If true that the Wolfpack have issues with the Commisso's and the Cun-treras then this would put Liborio Cun-trera at odds with his relatives in Vaughan, York Region. It will be interesting how all this will play out. It seems to be quiet at the moment, could this be the calm before the storm.
Ciment,
As a result of the Montreal mob war that has been going on for more than eight years now, the close Montreal–Toronto criminal and family relationships that were once clear are now in muddied waters.
I don't care whether anyone laughs at or mocks me for scouring social media to find out information about organized-crime figures. Law enforcement does this all the time now; so why shouldn't we?
Below is a link to a Facebook photo posted on May 14, 2017 on the timeline of Giuseppe Cun-trera, son of Paolo. In the Caruana-Cun-trera clan, Giuseppe is called "Little Joe" to distinguish him from "Big Joe" and "Venezuela Joe." The photo is of Giuseppe and his mother, Nina (Paolo's wife). You should be signed in to Facebook to read the comments, but please note I've also attached a screencap to this post.
The very last comment "Beautiful picture beautiful momâ¤" is by the widow Elena Veltri, wife of the murdered Agostino Cun-trera. Someone has told me that this Giuseppe is also Facebook friends with Giovanna Rizzuto's two male cousins who are the two sons of the man--her uncle--who recently died. (Her female cousin is married to Frank Campoli.) Someone told me because I can't see Giuseppe's list of Facebook friends.
Agostino's status as a made man has always been intriguing. In Antonio Nicaso and Lee Lamothe's Bloodlines: The Rise and Fall of the Mafia's Royal Family, they write that Agostino is "variously described as the number-one member of the Caruana-Cun trera in Montreal, or as the number-two man in the city, operating under Mafia godfather Nicolò Rizzuto." Then of course there is the question of whether Agostino was made into the Bonanno Family.
Only recently was I told that one of the aforementioned cousins of Giovanna Rizzuto is Facebook friends with Cosimo Commisso's wife--the interaction seems to go back to at least 2013 but as recent as 2016. I had already written before that a relative of Rizzuto's wife seemed to have an employee, with origins from Siderno, who installed the espresso machine at the Di Manno bakery in 2015, said bakery having been bombed last year and where Giuseppe "Big Joe" Cun-trera apparently hung out a lot. I had also previously written that a relative of Rizzuto's wife celebrated the spouse's birthday last year at a restaurant in Yorkville (downtown Toronto), co-owned by Raymond Commisso, which is where Vittorio Mirarchi had a meeting in October 2011. These relationships and events are only partially explained by the Cammalleri-Commisso intermarriage that happened around 2005 or 2006, as none of the children or grandchildren of Giovanna Rizzuto's uncle married into the Commissos. I doubt we will ever get to the bottom of these relationships.
There is something that is not quite right with the picture that has been painted for us. Or the picture is somewhat accurate but the relationships are much more complicated than we think.
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: antimafia]
#928098 01/31/1809:35 AM01/31/1809:35 AM
^^^^ Tap/click link on the below to read about the six men charged with conspiring to murder, between 2011 and 2012, the recently murdered Dean Costanza (killed December 3, 2017).
IF you look at some of the names in Project Ink,Clemenza and Loquace.
You can see a link with Rabih Alkalil, Martin Caputo, Liborio [BadWord], Amero,Laventis. This must be the alliance between Montreal mafia & the Wolfpack that Peter Edwards had mentioned in a previous article.
The Wolf Pack just got a whole lot weaker. Larry Amero, along with Dean Wiwchar, has been charged in relation to murders committed in 2012 in British Columbia. This is very big news.
Hells Angel Larry Amero arrested and charged in 2012 murder plots of rivals
[45] Det. Cst. Howe had direct contact with only one of five CIs to whom he made reference in the ITO. Consistent with his obligation not to disclose an informer’s identity, or any information that could reveal his or her identity, Det. Cst. Howe described for each CI whether she or he had a criminal record, including offences of dishonesty, or was facing outstanding charges; any indicia of reliability; and the nature of the contact between the informer and his or her handler. The ITO developed in chronological order contact between various individuals including through use of the cellphones whose records were sought under the order.
[50] In his ITO, Det. Cst. Titleman included information provided by a single informant. In a separate and undisclosed Appendix, the officer provided greater detail about the information provided and how and the extent to which it had been confirmed by other means. He concluded by explaining why he believed the documents or data he sought would afford evidence of cocaine trafficking by those alleged to be involved.
[58] The respondent sees it differently. The ITOs established a sound and ample evidentiary predicate to nourish the findings necessary to grant the orders. The core information came from three CIs of proven reliability, and a concerned member of the public without criminal antecedents or any personal benefits in play. Another CI was an admitted participant in the drug culture of Niagara Region and provided first-hand information about those involved in it. No information provided by any informant was proven incorrect. The interpersonal connections of which they spoke were confirmed by physical surveillance.
It appears Nico Nero was correct. There was a rat. In fact there were several and a member of the community.
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: mike68]
#928364 02/03/1802:53 PM02/03/1802:53 PM
[3] In the period leading up to the murder of John Raposo, Nero and Caputo were large scale importers of cocaine. Raposo also imported cocaine on a large scale, but his enterprise was distinct from that of Nero and Caputo. It would appear, however, that round about April 2012 Raposo entrusted to Nero and Caputo a shipment of 100 kilograms of cocaine destined for him from the United States. Alkhalil was also involved in importing cocaine; his enterprise was distinct from the others, but it appears that, at least on occasion, Nero and Caputo imported their cocaine by means of a transportation system Alkhalil had in place.
3 different operations.
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: mike68]
#928366 02/03/1803:02 PM02/03/1803:02 PM
If Nero thinks Raposo is a rat and decides to kill him without knowing for sure. When he gets some disclosure from Crown Prosecutor after his is arrested and finds out there are really 5 rats maybe then he starts killing everybody around who doesn't go to jail at the same time as him?
Remember Nero got his start from robbing an armoured car and got 1 million dollar, This money is never recovered.
[15] The monies that he received from the armoured car heist of approximately one million dollars remain unrecovered. The position taken by G4S is that Nero is seeking to fund his defence with money that belongs to G4S.
Use stolen money to defend himself in court and then start a cocaine business. He is a funny guy but also litigious.
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: mike68]
#928501 02/04/1807:18 PM02/04/1807:18 PM
Wow I remember as a kid the Hells owned a building on east 8 street between I st Ave and Ave A.
A dear departed friend of mine Ralph Lanza had a fight with some of them and the jacked him up. But they did not kill him. They should have he starts watching them. Some of them had apartments close to the club house. He saw one of them go into a building where his wife and kids lived. Ralphie did not have to get the guy that hurt him to get revenge.
Everdently after the angel left Ralph showed up at the appartment. He killed everybody in the apartment wife and his kids.
only the unloved hate
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: Ciment]
#929979 02/18/1808:12 PM02/18/1808:12 PM
Larry Amero, alleged to be one of three people who formed the Wolf Pack back in 2011, is seeking bail. Rabih Alkhalil and Dean Wiwchar, who along with Amero are also charged in connection with the murders of Sandip Duhre and Sukh Dhak, remain in custody.
"Hells Angel seeking bail at Supreme Court hearing"
rabih's older brother(i believe) was arrested in Ottawa 2014 for local cocaine trafficking. hisham "terry" alkhalil was the leader of drug network. investigation into hishams network began nov,2012 which is same time as project loaqcue arrests.
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: mike68]
#986312 02/12/2006:18 AM02/12/2006:18 AM
Link below is to article about Nick Nero. Peter Edwards and Luis Nájera's new book, The Wolfpack: The Millennial Mobsters Who Brought Chaos and the Cartels to the Canadian Underworld, is being released tomorrow.
‘Dumb as a bag of hair.’ An Ontario man long on drug-dealing ambition hooked up with Mexico’s cartels but was over his head
Peter Edwards looks back at the murder of Alfredo Patriarca, who was sitting with John Raposo when Raposo was killed in the hit in Toronto’s original Little Italy
Peter Edwards looks back at the murder of Alfredo Patriarca, who was sitting with John Raposo when Raposo was killed in the hit in Toronto’s original Little Italy
Unfortunately, the article is locked. What is the synopsis? Were they tying up loose ends on someone who may have been able to testify on the Raposo hit?
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: mike68]
#1032721 04/11/2202:36 PM04/11/2202:36 PM
^^^^ If anyone wants a more permanent link to Peter Edwards's recent article that re-examines the murder of Alfredo Patriarca in Toronto, go to https://pressreader.com/article/281608128970116.
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: mike68]
#1037558 07/22/2202:30 AM07/22/2202:30 AM
^^^^ If anyone wants a more permanent link to Peter Edwards's recent article that re-examines the murder of Alfredo Patriarca in Toronto, go to https://pressreader.com/article/281608128970116.
Thank you for this antimafia ... it's always appreciated.
Re: Arrests made in Little Italy Toronto daytime hit
[Re: mike68]
#1037573 07/22/2201:16 PM07/22/2201:16 PM
