A coordinated Canadian-US investigation into drug trafficking including the fentanyl trade has led to the arrest of alleged members and associates of organized crime on both sides of the border.
The RCMP conducted early morning raids across Ontario arresting nine people and issued Canada-wide warrants for five others with ties to the Calabrian mafia also known as the Ndrangheta as part of a multi-year investigation. Authorities seized multiple kilograms of fentanyl, carfentanil, cocaine, and drugs along with other controlled substances and millions of illegal cigarettes. The FBI conducted a parallel but separate investigation targeting both the Gambino crime family and the Bonanno crime family of the New York mafia. The feds arrested four men they claim are associated with the Cosa Nostra families charging them with narcotics trafficking, loansharking and firearms charges.
“Domenico Paolo Violi and Giuseppe (Joe) Violi”
Among those arrested by the RCMP in Canada was Domenico Violi the son of Paolo Violi the former Calabrian boss of the Montreal mafia. Violi was the head of the Montreal crime family until he was murdered in 1978 by members of the Rizzuto crime family as they moved to take control of the Montreal underworld. An arrest warrant was also issued for Giuseppe Violi another one of Paolo’s sons. The two alleged GTA mobsters being accused are grandsons of Giacomo Luppino of Hamilton. According to police Luppino was a founding member of a governing body of criminals in the Ndragheta called the Crimine. Canadian authorities said the operation began with a mobster that turned on his associates giving them an opportunity to infiltrate some higher level traditional organized crime members. They also added that they had a source that was respected by organized crime groups in both the U.S. and Canada.
Among those arrested by the Feds in New York were Bonanno family capo Damiano Zummo, Gambino family member Paul Semplice, and associates Salvatore Russo and Paul Ragusa. According to the feds during the investigation agents were able to obtain surveillance recordings of a 2015 induction ceremony in Canada in which Bonanno capo Zummo inducted a confidential informant into the crime family. Acting U.S. attorney in Brooklyn called the recordings “an extraordinary achievement for law enforcement and deals a significant blow to La Cosa Nostra.” If convicted Zummo, Ragusa and Russo could face life in prison while Semplice could be looking at up to 20 years behind bars.
Canadian authorities alleged the Violi brothers are well-established with “an international reach.” There have been alleged links esp when it comes to drug trafficking between the Ndrangheta in Canada and the NY mafia for years now. Many believe it was the Ndrangheta that backed a rebellion against the Rizzuto crime family led by Raynald Desjardins for control of the lucrative drug trade in Montreal and New York. According to the FBI, the Calabrian mafia was partnering with these members and associates of the Bonanno and Gambino families which were obvious choices considering their long-standing involvement in the international drug trade and their past links to the mafia in Canada. Michael McGarrity, a special agent in charge of the Criminal Division for the FBI’s New York Field Office said: ” These investigations revealed renewed Mafia links from New York to Buffalo and Toronto to Montreal and led to arrests of significant La Cosa Nostra figures”.
It’s mind boggling how the Bonannos can be so stupid to let an undercover get close enough to make him a member, especially after Donnie Brasco. This isn’t the first time an induction ceremony has been recorded, back in 1989 I believe the Patriarca family had the same thing happen to them. I don’t really consider it a major achievement for law enforcement considering that finding rats and being able to infiltrate LCN is no longer challenging. It must be boring times for the FBI. The job is just too easy the excitement is gone.
The FBI are sometimes honestly f*****g pathetic. Don’t they have their hands full with all these terrorists (foreign and domestic) murdering dozens of innocents, meanwhile they are still spending alot of money on taking down mobsters. If the mob doesn’t do it, then some half ass criminal group will step in and do it, and it will be even worse. I also read that some members of the Buffalo crime family and Luppino family were arrested in the bust. This is coming after many people were saying that those families were either inactive or close to it. It just goes to show you that while there are some idiots in the mob, it is still a secret society and it’s hard to tell who is who, and how many members it has without in depth insider info. Also, I’d like to add that this continues to cement the idea that la Cosa nostra is still the most powerful criminal force in the US. Why don’t we hear about the FBI taking down Russian, Mexican, or Asian crime groups as much? Because they are more small time and stick to their small little neighborhoods.
The government has a bitter hatred for the Mafia, probably because they make committing crimes and screwing the System look so cool. One thing the government hates is people making it without them and then flaunting it.
The government are the sleaziest crooks. They hide behind the power of the state, but individually, they are pathetic weaklings.
No doubt the Feds have a long history of pure cutthroat tactics and literally do anything no matter how shady to get their target. The result is they have lost a lot of credibility with jurors now. Their own agenda is causing them to lose trials. Jurors are tired of star witnesses being Sociopaths with 10-20 murders under their belt. People are tired of tax dollars going to support these dudes after also. Just seems like Bonnanos and Colombos cant catch a break. One hit after the next for those two Families…
I think things will get better for them, it will just take time and new leaders to change up the regimes. Too many Italians in New York for these borgatas to fall apart. When a few go down, there will still be guys to replace them, even if its not to the extent like it was before.
Yea the one thing New York has nor shortage of is Italians. Definitely more then any other city in the USA that Im aware of. Lack of interested recruits is not the issue but maybe quality is? There just ain’t that many guys left who will do 60 years in prison especially if they got busted right in the beginning of their career. What good is being Made if your doing life from your early 20’s or 30’s. I just meant its another huge black eye for the Bonannos. If there was ever a NYC Family that could actually disolve it would be the Colombos. No disrespect but that Family has been self destructing since the Joe Gallo days. Seems like they all literally hate each other personally haha. To think they started out as a totally old school Sicilian Family. Id love to see The Outfit or Detroit make stronger comebacks but look at their cities. Gang violence totally run amok. They are two solid Families though and have interesting histories. Or characters like Russel Bufalino and Santo Trafficante Jr. Neither had large Borgatas but seemed to exercise serious power as individuals. There has gotta be missing details regarding these mystery men. Why were they so heavily respected by the Commission etc… without all the soldiers and muscle to back them up. Marcello also. No one went into his town and flexed on him. I’d love to hear more about these guys.
The Colombos have been in a state of disrepair since the Gallo days, so I guess this is actually a normal state for them by now. I don’t think they will ever dissapear, because they will always stay alfoat by making italian associates that get turned down by other families. Can’t get made in the Genovese’s? Don’t worry, your welcome with the Colombos. I mean, they are still a large and powerful family, but likely the weakest of the 5 families, with the Bonnano’s not far ahead. And ya I would also be interested to hear why those guys were so respected even though they lacked in manpower by a longshot. Tampa, new Orleans and the Pittston families probably never had more than 30-60 made guys at their peaks, but held their territory and were involved in all sorts of conspiracies. (Hoffa, Kennedy, Castro amongst others as I’m sure you already know.)
Still a major blow for the Bonannos!! Its bad enough on its own but their reputation has got to be fucked after a second major infiltration to that Borgata. Brasco, Messino flipping, this current induction plus all the other everyday informing, and that Clown Canterella doing a reality show. Thats a lot of major fuck ups for one family to take. Ouch !!!
Richard Cantarella doing a reality show shouldn’t matter because once he crossed over to the government’s side he was no longer a member of the Bonanno family. All of these things are hugely humiliating and embarrassing for sure, but how much damage it’s doing I don’t know. Remember after Donnie Brasco the Bonannos bounced back with a vengeance when no one thought they’d recover. Then a decade or so later practically the entire administration, boss included, flipped!
Cantarella is a f*****g joke. The Bonnano’s have to get their act together a bit more, along with the Colombos. They are still powerful families with around 100 made men each, but they need to be more careful who they make. In new York I think it’s sometimes too easy to get made. You work for the family for a few years as an associate, your a good earner, and presto, your made. In Chicago or Detroit this almost never would have happened. Its much harder to get made there. You need family connections or have to work for the family for years and years, maybe a decade or so, (plus be Italian and a a good earner) before you can get made.
Have you heard any news on the Grand Ave crew in Chicago?? I’ve been looking but can’t find ANYTHING!!
Na I haven’t heard much about Albie Vena and the boys lately. Probably keeping a low profile, or maybe those dirty feds are cooking some shit up against them, who knows. I find those guys very interesting, it’s refreshing to hear about the biggest family outside of new York and the Canadian mob once in a while. I’m sure we will hear something about them this year or so, we usually do.
Your right the Bonanno family just keeps on being an embarrassment with seemingly no end in sight.. This is def going to leave a mark on that family which already has plenty of late. Kind of shocked to be honest that anyone in Canada or elsewhere is actually still working with these guys.
I’m curious what that whole situation up there is now. First you had Vito break away and basically surpass the Bonannos. Then his regime crumbles and Sal Montanga ends up there only to make snow angela down by the creek. All this strange history with Canada and Bonannos. But now it appears to be Violis son and various Ndrine back in business with them. Who knows what the hell is going on up there!!! I’d love to hear more details of the players in that whole set up…good times
Also interesting to see the Luppino and Buffalo families involved. Haven’t heard much from them recently, or even the Violi/Cotroni faction. Goes to show you how many factions and partnerships go on out there. This is completely seperate from the Siderno group, Rizzuto family, and other Hamilton groups.
It really has become one of the most interesting area’s to watch over the last couple of years. perhaps this bust will get a little more information out there on the ongoing war and what if any part the NY families may have played either before/during/ or after.
Very interesting development indeed. There have been some rumors around of the Gambino family still doing business in Canada and likely with parts of the Ndrangheta although didn’t think the Bonanno’s esp in the state they are in had anything of substance still going on over there.
It’s because at the end of the day the Bonannos are still a well established crime family that will most likely always be around.
See Puff. You’re full of shit.
??? Whats that all about Ed!!!
If he wants to attack a reader then he can do it on his own site that shit is not condoned here. We try to have adult conversations understanding not everyone will agree on every subject and that is what makes these talks interesting and enjoyable. Sorry for being a little late here to delete an unprovoked attack and Thanks for all of the contributions.
No worries and thanks for the support. Its been an ongoing thing for some reason with him??? I didnt mean to use your forum for that petty bullshit but since the guy was calling me out on the forum I had to at least ask WTF he was even talking about… anyway that should be the end of the school yard pissing match haha.
Ed what am I full of shit about? We have several conversations going on here and your site so im confused which subject you’re referring to that I’m apparently full of shit about. I usually get a few of these random angry comments from you a few times a year. I can’t tell if you’re just breakin balls or confusing me with someone else which you have done a few times in the past. If its just sarcasm then im all good otherwise please elaborate!!!!! At one point you thought I was some British Journalist that was trolling your page and of course that was incorrect. Anyway pardon me for wanting to clear the air here since it aint the first time its happened. Ive been a fairly consistent reader of your site and and a few others for some years and have always supported your site whenever I could. Normally I would never air this stuff on public forum but you’ve fronted me out a few times publicly and were mistaken each time so I figure why not call you out here. I love a lot of your unusual stories but you tend to be a little Bi-Polar at times so what gives?????
Do you write About the Mafia? My site isn’t confused, pal, you are.
No I do not write about the mafia. I simply make comments on this forum like any other that I read or feel inclined. Basically I have no idea what the hell your talking about here Ed!! I asked you why you said im full of shit? Ive always stated im a fan of your site and then every so often you accuse me of some random shit out of nowhere WTF??? Sucks because I like your site and was happy to support it but then you pull weird shit like that? Seems odd a blogger would disrespect one of his readers on several occasions for no reason and without any basis. Frankly I shouldn’t even be explaining myself here especially since it ain’t the first time you act funny. Maybe you’re still paranoid that I’m some British Blogger or whatever other paranoid delusions you had before. Get a grip dude and try treating your readers with some gratitude instead of this bullshit. What do you care who reads what sites at all.
No you make real comments on here (I know who writes this blog) and you write nonsense on mine.
Ed that makes no sense whatever??? I have no idea what comments you’re even talking about but at this point what does it even matter? How I comment on anything is my own business as long as its not instigating fights like some clowns do. Bottom line is I’ve been an avid supporter of your site for a few years and was happy to support financially when I could even in spite of you mistakenly calling me out on several occasions. Then to later have you apologize for being mistaken about whoever you thought I was. But here we go again with some random notion you’re spinning your wheels about. Totally unprofessional. Normally a guy would just say thank you to his supporters and not accuse them of being liars publicly at that. Ive enjoyed your blog and stories for a few years now but not if I have to be always defending myself against nonsense that you imagine. Defeats the whole purpose of of visiting the site. Get your facts straight, take your meds, stop treating loyal supporters like shit. That would be a good place to start…
Since when is an acting captain making guys?Wtf.
And why is everyone acting this or acting that? Aren’t there any more official positions?
Acting to me means the official capo is in the joint or sick and this guy is filling in for him or he’s in a probationary position with a new crew. Anyway Zummo fucked up big time and I think we can safely assume he’s not acting captain anymore, lol.
That’s a good point. I had thought about that also when I first read it. Is it some new tactic to further insulate the actual administration of the Family??? Does seem unusual for sure. Can’t see an acting captain just doing it all on his own without the blessing of the Boss right?? Would be a death sentence otherwise….
I wanna hear more details. Who’s the rat? Do they have video as well? These cops love to toot their own horn, so release more evidence…
Acting captain making guys is indicative of how little the induction means anymore. Why not just do it via Skype. When they stopped putting the gun on the table for fear of weapons possession charges and stopped pricking fingers out of fear of communicable diseases, it basically became a joke. It isn’t a ceremony lol.
The Violi brothers will prob get soft time, unless they’re extradited, I haven’t really looked through the details of the case. Can absolutely bet they were a force behind the attack on the Rizzutos though, so maybe this will give the Rizzutos the time they need to recoup.
Articles in National Post, The Hamilton Star, and other Canadian papers along with the press release from the US Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of NY indicate that members of the Todaro (Buffalo) crime family were arrested in Canada. Are they talking about the Dominico and Guiseppe Violi?
Their Grandpa had ties to Buffalo… but they seem awfully young (47 and 51) to have any connection to the Todaro Crime family given most think Buffalo has been dead or on life support for years. Does this mean The Buffalo Family may be a little more active and organized than most have thought?
Also, if the Buffalo Crime Family is on life support, why did the Canadian papers and US Attorney go out of their way to mention them? They could have just said members of the Luppino Family in Canada where arrested.
I’m hearing Giuseppe Violi is part of the administration for the Buffalo family. Anyone else hearing that?