Investigators from the Canada Revenue Agency and FINTRAC helped York police uncover some 500 bank accounts tied to the group's criminal activities, he said. And we know that they have laundered tens of millions of dollars through casinos (sometimes as much $30,000-$50,000 nightly) across Ontario,” Jolliffe alleged. Gunman who killed Ontario Mafia figure also shooter in 'targeted' Vaughan slaying, police say, CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. We encountered an issue signing you up. The bust is the "largest organized crime operation" in the history of the York police service, Chief Eric Jolliffe said at a Thursday morning news conference. Participating in a criminal organization. The joint-forces operation, dubbed Project Sindacato, netted more than $35 million in proceeds of crime and led to 27 arrests, including nine high-ranking members of the Figliomeni crime group. One of five Ferraris seized by police in an illegal gaming investigation named Project Sindacato is parked in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada July 15, 2019. Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Investigators relied on more than one year of wire taps to build their case against the criminal organization, Mattinen said. Academia.edu is a platform for academics to share research papers. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. “We detected a spike in violent crime in the city of Vaughan in 2017,” York Regional Police Chief Eric Jolliffe said Thursday during a well-attended and well-guarded news conference at headquarters in Aurora. “Violence that targeted both people and property. Dalia Pratali Maffei is on Facebook. Between July 12 and 14, more than 500 officers from eight police services served 48 warrants in Vaughan and the GTA on 27 residences and 11 gaming houses. (York Regional Police handout), York Regional Police Const. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. Beginning on Friday, July 12, 2019, with the assistance of the Toronto Police Service, Halton Regional Police Service, Durham Regional Police, Hamilton Police Service, Waterloo Regional Police, Barrie Police Service, Brantford Police Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 48 warrants at residences, businesses and cafes were executed across the Greater Toronto Area. Instructing or directing a criminal organization. Carl Mattinen, of the Organized Crime and Intelligence Services — Traditional Organized Crime Task Force. His first business empire was based on lumber from Eastern Europe and included forest concessions, lumber mills, ships and warehouses. The multinational investigation was started following a string of violent incidents in Vaughan in 2017, including an attempted murder, drive-by shootings and arsons. Project Cafe, Kathmandu, Nepal. Among the eight charges that Figliomeni faces are instructing or directing a criminal organization, laundering proceeds of crime and defrauding the government of Canada. The Italian State Police held a simultaneous news conference overseas in Italy detailing arrests made in Calabria and one of their members was present at the York Regional Police event. The three-day operation known as Project Sindacato and carried out the weekend of July 12 saw about 500 officers executing 48 warrants on businesses, cafes, and residences in Vaughan and the GTA. (York Regional Police handout), Giuseppe Ciurleo, 30, of Toronto, is wanted on charges stemming from Project Sindacato. Charges against the nine alleged crime family members currently before the courts include: To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Comments are welcome while open. Andy Pattenden introduces the panel of speakers as as the Organized Crime & Intelligence Bureau held a news conference announcing the results of Project Sindacato, on Thursday July 18, 2019. Police believe the organization laundered as much as $70 million in the last several years, Mattinen said. PostPandemic: How COVID-19 is reshaping Canada, 9 arrested, $35 million of items seized in organized crime bust, York Regional Police Det.-Sgt. Carl Mattinen speaks to media as the Organized Crime & Intelligence Bureau held a news conference announcing the results of Project Sindacato, on Thursday July 18, 2019. “We can tender that in court with no worry of recant or fear from the community.”. Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Toronto SUN, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4. “A large portion of this income stems from the use of video gaming machines and the loans (some as high as 60% interest) made to patrons to keep them gambling regardless of the amount of debt that they occurred,” he alleged. As a result, York cops struck a permanent organized crime task force that they say will continue to operate and hopefully target even more organized crime groups. The group's illicit income came primarily from 11 cafés in the Vaughan, Ont., area where members operated video gaming machines and provided cash loans at "astronomical" interest rates — known as the "juice" in Mafia parlance — to patrons. Committing a crime for a criminal organization. Picture taken July 15, 2019. © 2021 Toronto Sun, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Police in Italy also arrested 12 people as part of Project Sindacato, hitting the Calabrian ‘Ndrangheta Mafia. Thu., July 18, 2019 timer 3 min. Vaughan (2016 population 306,233) is a city in Ontario, Canada.It is located in the Regional Municipality of York, just north of Toronto.Vaughan was the fastest-growing municipality in Canada between 1996 and 2006 with its population increasing by 80.2% during this time period and having nearly doubled in population since 1991. Italian State Police also carried out raids connected to Project Sindacato in recent days and arrested 12 people. The Project Sindacato bust is the "largest organized crime operation" in the history of the York Regional Police service in Ontario, Chief Eric Jolliffe said at a Thursday morning news conference. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. 500 likes. “(The Figliomeni crime family) has benefitted from generations of crime to live a glamorous and indulgent lifestyle at the expense of law-abiding citizens,” Jolliffe alleged. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Riccardo Gualino (25 March 1879 – 6 June 1964) was an Italian trader, financier and industrialist. Among the 15 people arrested was Angelo Figliomeni, 56, the alleged boss of the organization, and eight other "key players," said Mattinen. Seizures included 23 high-end cars, including five Ferraris, dozens of illegal gaming machines, roughly $1 million in cash and $1 million in jewelry and premium liquor. “This violence affects everyone in the community, not just the criminals and their intended victims. The investigation, which was dubbed Project Sindacato, is the “largest traditional organized crime takedown in provincial history,” according to police. By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. The group was laundering proceeds of crimes at casinos throughout Ontario, he said, sometimes "cleaning" between $30,000 and $50,000 per night at various locations. That’s what York Regional Police did and a result they have arrested and charged Angelo Figliomeni — the suspected boss of the Figliomeni crime family operating in Woodbridge for three decades — plus eight others allegedly under his direction, after an 18-month-long illegal gaming investigation known as Project Sindacato. “People caught in this cycle were gambling away their life savings while members of this criminal organization used intimidation and violence including shootings, arsons and other threats to collect their outstanding debts,” Mattinen alleged. “We have dismantled the financial structure of this organized crime organization both here and in Italy.”. The Project Sindacato bust is the "largest organized crime operation" in the history of the York Regional Police service in Ontario, Chief Eric Jolliffe said at a Thursday morning news conference. York Regional Police make mafia … Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. That operation was the largest traditional organized crime bust in York Regional Police history, chief Eric Jolliffe said today at a news conference at the force’s Aurora headquarters. Also involved in the investigation were investigators with the Canada Revenue Agency, the OPP, Peel Regional Police, Canada Border Services and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). “(The Figliomeni crime family which was directly associated with Italy’s ‘Ndrangheta) have legitimized themselves by funneling illegal profits through businesses, financial institutions, car dealerships, finance companies and even charities. Project Sindacato ended in July 2019 with nine members of an alleged crime family in Vaughan facing charges as part of a multi-million-dollar investigation into ties with the mob in Italy. They seized 23 cars including five Ferraris, $1 million in cash, $1 million in jewelry including Rolex watches, as well as gaming and ATM machines — all totalling over $35 million. Among the 11 gambling houses / cafes raided are Jevlan Cafe, CC2 (Crazy Cafe 2), and Marycroft Cafe (all of them in Vaughan). (Stan Behal/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network), One of five Ferraris seized by police in an illegal gaming investigation named Project Sindacato is parked in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada July 15, 2019. In response, York police struck an organized crime task force and began probing what turned out to be a wide network of illicit activities. It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. In addition to the nine arrests, police restrained 27 homes and seized 23 high-end cars including five Ferraris. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. The arrests were part of a joint investigation dubbed Project Sindacato that was the “largest organized crime operation” in the history of the York Regional Police, Chief Eric Jolliffe said during a Thursday press conference. OTTAWA/ROME (Reuters) - Canadian police on Thursday said they had arrested nine suspected members of a powerful Mafia clan with roots in southern Italy involved in money laundering and illegal gambling in the Toronto area, seizing C$35 million ($26.8 million) in assets, including five Ferraris. By Peter Edwards Staff Reporter. In the summer of 2019, police called Project Sindicato a massive blow against organized crime in the GTA, after 48 search warrants were carried out at … Our focus on the financials is what will truly make a long-lasting impact on crime,” he added. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings. Eat...Drink and fall in love with our place.. Read more about cookies here. National Post offers information on latest national and international events & more. The next issue of The Toronto Sun Headline News will soon be in your inbox. The total value of assets collected during last weekend's raids is about $35 million. Please try again. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Mattinen said while victims of organized crime have been afraid to come forward to testify in the past, this investigation has something else going for it as the case goes before the courts. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. Police officers involved in serving warrants: 500, People charged: nine, one more still wanted, Bank accounts de-listed: Between 400-500 in Canada, Money believed to have been laundered in a few years: $70 million. (York Regional Police handout), Charged in Project Sindacato are (top row left to right) Emilio Zannuti, 48, of Vaughan; Erica Quintal, 30, of Bolton; Francesco Vitucci, 44, of Vaughan; Giuseppe Ciurleo, 30, of Toronto; (bottom row left to right) Nicola Martino, 52, of Vaughan; Rafael Lepore, 59, of Vaughan; Salvatore Oliveti, 54, of Oakville; and Vito Sili, 37, of Vaughan. Various conspiracy charges related to money laundering. York Regional Police police say they have charged nine top members of an alleged organized crime group known as the Figliomeni Crime Family and seized more than $35 million in … ... including numerous cafes. One more person, Giacomo Cassano, 46, of Toronto, is still wanted on various offences. Brad Burns stands guard as the Organized Crime & Intelligence Bureau held a news conference announcing the results of Project Sindacato, on Thursday July 18, 2019. (York Regional Police handout), York Regional Police cut the locks on gambling machines seized during raids in an illegal gaming investigation named Project Sindacato in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada July 15, 2019. A Canada-wide arrest warrant has been issued for a tenth alleged member. Investigators said the Figliomeni Crime Family has close ties to the 'Ndrangheta, an organized crime group based in the Calabria region of Italy. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience. York Regional Police cut the locks on gambling machines seized during raids in an illegal gaming investigation named Project Sindacato in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada July 15, 2019. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. Project Sindacato videos and latest news articles; GlobalNews.ca your source for the latest news on Project Sindacato . 19, 2019. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. There, members of the crime group operated the gaming machines, collecting Over three days, police raided 48 cafes, businesses and residences connected to the group, … Last weekend, some 500 officers from eight different police services across Ontario carried out 48 search warrants at the cafés, businesses and residences in Vaughan and the Greater Toronto Area. update Article was updated Jul. York Regional Police police say they have charged nine top members of an alleged organized crime group known as the Figliomeni Crime Family and seized more than $35 million in assets through a joint investigation dubbed Project Sindacato. "This violence affects everyone in the community.". On July 12, with the assistance of eight local police organizations in Ontario, approximately 500 officers and the RCMP, Project Sindacato resulted in the arrest of 15 people including nine members of the ‘Ndrangheta crime organization under the direction of Angelo Figliomeni in Canada. “Forensic accounting is not afraid, math is not afraid, documentary evidence is not afraid,” he said. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. “The astronomical interest rate, or ‘juice’ as it’s known, keeps the organization in a continual flow of illegal funds.”. Register Log In Home Forums Organized Crime - Real Life BREAKING: PROJECT SINDACATO (York Regional Police) Forums Calendar Active Threads Search Forum Help: Who's Online Now: 2 registered members (TheKillingJoke, 1 invisible), 43 guests, and 7 spiders. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. (York Regional Police handout), tap here to see other videos from our team. Over $35 million worth of sports cars, homes, and cash were also seized in what was a major trans-Atlantic probe, targeting Canada’s most prominent wing of the Ndrangheta clan in Canada. Read latest breaking news, updates, and headlines. Picture taken July 15, 2019. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. The numbers behind Project Sindacato do a lot of talking: 15 arrests; 27 seized homes worth $24M; 23 high-end cars seized, worth $3.5M; about $1M in cash seized Vaughan crime family part of Italian Mafia's 'Ndrangheta, Siderno organized crime groups, police allege Largest mafia bust in Ontario history as 15 arrested and $35 million seized. 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