Rise in arson attacks a sign of renewed tensions in Montreal mafia war

 

A rise in arson attacks in and around Montreal in 2016 may be an indicator that more violence is on the way as the bloody Montreal mafia war continues into next year.

According to authorities from the Montreal Police Criminal Section, these arson events have become more abundant in the last couple of months demonstrating increased tensions within the mafia in Montreal. Since the beginning of September, there have been 12 arson events many of which have targeted locations with links to the Sicilian-based mafia clan according to a report from Daniel Renaud of LaPresse. A couple of these attacks have also been linked to enemies of what remains of the dwindling Sicilian based Rizzuto crime family.

 

“Linguini Restaurant”

 

Juan Vargas the commander of SPVM’s Major and Economic Crimes Section said “Currently, according to our analysis, I read that there is a struggle between two groups of the Mafia, including the Rizzuto clan. It is especially he who is targeted. Looks like we want to pack the Rizzuto, and these are messages we want to send.” Some of the recent locations being attacked have been linked to Marco Pizzi an alleged mobster with ties to the Rizzuto family. He was arrested back in May during RCMP’s Operation Clemenza that targeted the mafia and accused of conspiracy to import cocaine. Pizzi survived an attempted mafia hit in east Montreal back in August. Another attack back in November may be linked to a meeting of mafioso from Ontario at the Linguini restaurant in Baie-D’Urfé that was previously reported here.

Just this year the Rizzuto family has lost key high ranking members including Rocco Sollecito, Lorenzo Giordano, and most recently Vincenzo Spagnolo. These waves of arson attacks against mafia-linked establishments have happened in the past and have typically been followed by increased violence. Attacks such as these took place back in 2009,2010, and 2011 as the push against the Rizzuto family was taking form and at its height. These recent attacks may signal another push by the rival faction believed to be backed by the Ontario-based Ndrangheta to once and for all eliminate the Rizzuto family and take control of the Montreal mafia. The SPVM organized crime division and criminal arson investigators have in the past and continue to try and resolve these mafia-linked arson attacks.