MONTREAL – More than 50 suspects were picked up in Project Axe more than four years ago, an operation targeting Montreal street gangs and bikers.
The name that everyone seems to remember from that big bust is Pasquale Mangiola.
The 43-year-old was allegedly an active part of the drug trafficking ring, and through published reports, Global News discovered he was also in regular contact with three Montreal Canadiens players: Andrei Kostitsyn, Sergei Kostitsyn and Roman Hamrlik.
The reports revealed that the players were offered alcohol, fancy cars and other items by Mangiola.
The players are not facing any criminal charges.
Mangiola and two co-accused, 40-year-old Curtis Rodney and 34-year-old Roberto Sauro, are facing various charges including drug trafficking and conspiracy.
On day one of his trial, Sgt.-Det. Alain Gaudreau described Mangiola as an influential member of the drug network.
“He served as the link between the Crips street gang and the Syndicate gang,” Sgt.-Det. Gaudreau testified.
At the time, the Syndicate was considered a “puppet gang” of the Hells Angels.
Crown prosecutor Mona Briere told the court she plans to present close to a hundred intercepted phone conversations as part of her evidence.
When asked if some of the wiretaps contain conversations with hockey players, Briere offered no comment.
“We will not make any comments, thank you,” Briere told Global News.
The trial is expected to last three weeks.
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