According to law enforcement sources, the mafia leadership table established to lead the Montreal mafia after the death of Vito Rizzuto no longer exists.
The arrest of Montreal mob leaders Stefano Sollecito and Leonardo Rizzuto in operation Magot-Mastiff was seemingly the beginning of the end for the newly formed administration. The murders of Rocco Sollecito and Lorenzo Giordano both highly respected and influential members of the old guard of the Rizzuto crime family continued to weaken the grip the family once had on organized crime in Montreal. According to Nicodemo Milano the commander of the Organized Crime Division of the Montreal police there is currently no clear leadership of the mafia on Montreal.
It is still unclear as to whom all of the players were behind the attacks on the once powerful Rizzuto family but the bloody Montreal mafia war continues. There seems to be a generation change within the Montreal mob. According to Milano there are still those with contracts on their heads so things are not yet at an end. As long as the leadership void remains it creates conflict and the new generation of the mafia settles its disputes with violence more quickly than those who came before them. Traditional Italian organized crime is always strongest when there is clear and established leadership and it’s certain that new leaders will emerge from this current conflict to take the reigns in Montreal.
The Sicilian-based Rizzuto family controlled the mafia in Montreal for last 30 years but there are theories abound that a shift could be in progress. Many believe the Calabrian mafia or Ndrangheta may be behind the attacks on the Sicilian leadership in an effort to take control. Milano said in his interview with La Presse that their investigations have shown no indications that the Calabrian’s have taken control of the Montreal mafia but they may one day.He said there is also no indication that mafia families from Toronto and or Quebec want to expand their operations into Montreal. The Toronto mafia does have contacts in Montreal and could have influence with future leaders but certainly won’t be pulling any strings.
