Police in Quebec have arrested 11 suspects—including alleged Montreal mafia leader Leonardo Rizzuto—in a sweeping operation targeting organized crime across the province.
A joint press conference held by provincial police (SQ) and the Montreal police (SPVM) Thursday morning revealed about 150 police officers from both forces were deployed across the province earlier in the day as part of the sting operation.
“This is one of the most significant police operations in recent decades,” Criminal Investigations Director with the SQ, Benoit Dubé, told reporters.
Officers were deployed across the cities of Montreal, Laval, Blainville, Shefford, St-Lazare, Repentigny, Quebec City and Rosemère.
Of the 11 male suspects arrested, three were already incarcerated. All 11 men are allegedly linked to traditional Italian organized crime, the Hells Angels, or street gangs. Investigators are looking for five more suspects.
The suspects are accused of being involved in one or more murders or attempted murders — whether as sponsors, executors, or accomplices –between 2011 and 2021, authorities say.
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The key to the operation was an alleged contract killer turned police informant, Frederick Silva, who has been collaborating with authorities since 2022.
“He was basically a freelance (hitman),” said retired Montreal police detective Pietro Poletti in an interview with Global on Thursday.
“In the past, you wouldn’t have seen that. With the Italian organized crime or the bikers, they wouldn’t outsource,” Poletti said.
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Dubé said the investigation is helping solve several violent crimes, including incidents involving innocent victims, thereby providing answers to their families. “This shows that we are continuously applying pressure on organized crime networks to ensure public safety,” he said.
Dubé added, “This has impact. These suspects are not going to be charged with two years in prison, but 25 years in prison.”
All 11 suspects plead not guilty
In court appearances via video conference from three different detention centers across Montreal, all 11 men pleaded not guilty to charges of either first degree murder or conspiracy to commit murder.
Leonardo Rizzuto, 56, youngest son of the late reputed Sicilian mafia boss Vito Rizzuto and a member of the notorious Rizzuto crime family, was among those arrested. Members of the Rizzuto family attended the proceedings.
The arrested suspects include:
- Leonardo RIZZUTO, 56
- Nicola SPAGNOLO, 50
- Davide BARBERIO, 45
- Michel CLICHE, 54
- Pietro D’ADAMO, 54
- Patrick GILBERT, 51
- Daniele GUARNA, 45
- Richard LARIVIÈRE, 57
- Darius PERRY, 27
- Vito SALVAGGIO, 50
- Stefano SOLLECITO, 57
The following suspects remain wanted:
- Sacha KROLIK, 56
- Pierry PHILOGÈNE, 38
- Mario SOLLECITO, 54
- Gianpietro TIBERIO, 52
- Jean-Ismel ZÉPHIR, 46
Investigators to watch other gangs closely as void opens up
Project Alliance, the joint investigation between the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) and the Montreal police that lead to Thursday’s arrests, began three years ago.
“Project Alliance has today led to one of the most significant police operations in recent decades,” said Marc Charbonneau, Deputy Director and Head of Specialized Services with the Montreal police.
“(These) indictments will undoubtedly have a major impact and destabilize organized crime networks.”
Francis Renaud with the Montreal Police Organized Crime Unit said investigators will be watching other gangs closely to see who will be trying to fill the space that was taken by the Italian mafia.
The next court date for all 11 of the accused will be in early September.
Public cooperation
A statement from the Montreal police says anyone with information that could help the investigation is encouraged to contact Info-Crime Montréal anonymously and confidentially at 514-393-1133 or the Criminal Information Center at 1-800-659-4264.
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