Mafia raids in Canada targeted the Ndrangheta operations in the GTA arresting nineteen members on multiple criminal charges. More then 25 search warrants were executed in early morning hour raids in the Greater Toronto Area. An investigation into the Calabrian mafia known as the Ndrangheta that started back in 2013 being called “Project Ophoenix” targeted the highest levels of the criminal organization operating in the area.
The two year long joint forces operation set out to dismantle Ndrangheta cells that controlled various criminal rackets including drug and firearms trafficking. Authorities say the specific organization targeted was led by Giuseppe Ursino and now deceased Carmine Verduci along with help from Diego Serrano who was also a serious facilitator. Ursino and Serrano were among the 19 members arrested during the mob take down.
The Ndrangheta origins are in the Calabria region of Italy but have long had a presence in Canada with multiple families now operating in various regions including the GTA. The Ndrangheta groups combine their efforts both nationally and internationally to expand their power base and influence in multiple countries. The GTA Ndrangheta is believed to have had a hand in the recent Montreal mafia war which led to attacks against the Sicilian mafia aligned Rizzuto crime family.
