" C" Division - News Releases

CFSEU Officers Tackle Traditional Organized Crime on Several Fronts

MONTRÉAL, Thursday, November 23, 2006 – The partners of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit have dealt a serious blow to traditional organized crime with the raids carried out yesterday morning in the Montréal region. Ninety persons, including Nicolo Rizzuto, Paolo Renda, Francesco Arcadi and Rocco Sollecito, will face close to 1,000 charges. These charges were laid thanks to Project Colisée, the purpose of which was to tackle a major criminal organization on several fronts.

Project Colisée is a wide-ranging investigation aimed at slowing down the expansion and development of organized crime in Canada. Project Colisée was led by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU), a joint unit working under the coordination of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), with the collaboration the Sûreté du Québec, Service de police de la ville de Montréal (SPVM), Service de protection des citoyens de Laval, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), as well as Canada Revenue Agency.

An eight-fold investigation
Thanks to Project Colisée, CFSEU investigators were able to infiltrate the organized crime and take it by surprise by identifying and arresting the leaders of the organization and uncovering conspiracies to import cocaine via the Montréal Trudeau Airport; a conspiracy to import 1,300 kilograms of cocaine to Canada by containers; the corruption of CBSA officers and conspiracies to import indeterminate quantities of drugs using their services; a bookmaking business; an attempt to commit murder; cocaine trafficking; and a cannabis route to the United States using the Akwesasne Territory.

The undercover investigation made it possible to identify the key members of this organization. They are Francesco Arcadi, 53, Paolo Renda, 67, Nicolo Rizzuto, 82, Rocco Sollecito, 58, Francesco Del Balso, 36, and Lorenzo Giordano, 43. The six men have been charged with conspiracy to import, drug trafficking, conspiracy for the purpose of trafficking, gangsterism, bookmaking, extortion, possession of proceeds of crime.

The investigation also established that Lorenzo Giordano allegedly attempted to commit murder on April 18, 2004 at the Globe Restaurant on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in Montréal. The man will be charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault.

Conspiracies and corrupted customs officers
The physical and electronic surveillance of some members uncovered a series of conspiracies to import cocaine to Canada from various Caribbean and South American countries. The investigation also showed that the criminal organization controlled the importation of drugs via the Montréal Airport. Thirty-eight persons are facing charges in connection to these illegal activities, including current and former employees of the Trudeau Airport, as well as 31-year-old Nancy Cedeno, a CBSA officer.

Further evidence obtained as part of Project Colisée revealed that the criminal organization also corrupted a second customs officer. Marilyn Béliveau, 27, was used to facilitate the importation of drugs by containers. Seven individuals will be brought to justice.

Cocaine and marihuana trafficking
The investigation also uncovered cocaine trafficking activities. Francesco Del Balso and two individuals acting under him were involved in cocaine trafficking for a total of 20 kilograms.

In addition, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit brought to light a conspiracy to import 1,300 kilograms of cocaine to Canada by containers. The drugs were concealed in a container from Venezuela. Further investigation led to the identification of those involved as members of the traditional organized crime and the West End Gang. Six persons have been charged.

Twenty-four other individuals will answer charges related to the exportation of marihuana to the United States. The investigation revealed that this group purchased marihuana in the Laval and Montréal regions and used Aboriginal-based couriers to transport the cannabis to Florida through the Akwesasne Territory.

Illegal betting online
Lastly, Project Colisée showed that the traditional organized crime in Montréal operated a bookmaking business. Bets were made on an Internet site which used to be hosted on a server located in Belize, Central America, but since 2005 was on the Kahnawake Aboriginal reserve. The bets were physically processed in Laval. From October 2004 to March 2006, 820,000 online bets were recorded with profits totalling more than $26 million for the criminal organization. Ten persons have been charged in connection to these illegal bets.

Proceeds of crime component
The proceeds of crime investigation conducted as part of Project Colisée identified millions of dollars in assets to be seized and restrained, including over $3.5 million in cash, bank accounts and ten residences in the Montréal and Laval regions. Charges of possession of proceeds of crime under section 354 of the Criminal Code of Canada could be filed at a later date against the individuals involved.

A total of 36 searches for proceeds of crime were conducted in various Montréal locations yesterday. It should be noted that the Canada Revenue Agency also conducted 24 searches yesterday under the Income Tax Act.

"I am very pleased with the outcome of this operation. As the Officer-in-charge of Criminal Operations Richard Guay mentioned yesterday, with Project Colisée we have cut to the core of traditional organized crime. If we were successful in striking this organization where they thought to be safe, we could do the same against other criminal groups. With the dismantling of this organization, we can safely say that no criminal organization will be able to rest easy", said the Officer-in-charge, CFSEU for Quebec, Inspector Michel Aubin.

"Our combined efforts have struck a significant blow against Organized Crime in Canada. With over 700 police officers involved, Project Colisée demonstrates the strength and importance of national and international partnerships in detecting and deterring organized crime. Together, we can continue to reduce the threat and impact of organized crime and enhance the safety of the communities we serve nationally and globally", said RCMP Director General Drugs and Organized Crime, Derek Ogden.

"By taking part in projects such as Project Colisée, the CRA ensures that revenues from criminal activities are subjected to Canadian taxes, another example of our commitment to treat all taxpayers fairly", remarked Michel Dorais, Commissioner of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Our role complements the work of police authorities in the fight against organized crime. Together, we contribute to the well-being and safety of all Canadians."

It should also be noted that as part of this investigation on traditional organized crime, CFSEU investigators travelled worldwide to gather evidence leading to charges being laid in Canada. The following countries have participated in this investigation: the Unites States, Haiti, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Italy, Belize, Cuba, Mexico, Aruba, Venezuela, Switzerland, England, Germany and the Bahamas

The 90 persons charged in this investigation will face charges for crimes committed between 2003 and 2006.

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For information:

Communications Office
Montréal : (514) 939-8308