Mattinen accused a suspect he identified as Angelo Figliomeni of Vaughan of leading the Canadian operation. One of the vehicles seized in the investigation is shown. They also seized $2 million in cash and jewellery. The officers seized 27 homes worth $24 million, and 23 cars, including five Ferraris. On July 14 and 15, as many as 500 officers raided 48 homes and businesses across the GTA.Ī CTV News Toronto photographer located two of the raids occurring on Creekwood Court and Andrew Park in Woodbridge on July 14.įifteen people were arrested, but Mattinen says nine of them can be considered major players. York Regional Police worked with authorities in the Italian State Police on the investigation.

Mattinen said the investigation also linked the operation to members of the ‘Ndrangheta in Calabria, Italy.Ī group of York Regional Police detectives went to Italy to meet with Italian State Police in an attempt to coordinate raids against the group. They estimate the group earned as much as $70 million over the last several years, with some money filtered through legitimate real estate, construction and financial services businesses. “Surveillance officers witnessed $30,000 to $50,000 gambled per night at Ontario casinos. They also followed alleged mobsters to various casinos across Ontario where they would launder the proceeds of their efforts.Ī home seized in the investigation is seen. Over the last 18 months, officers surveilled 11 cafes across the GTA, along with the homes of alleged members of the organization and businesses associated to them. Investigators are seen working on gaming machines in the investigation. Game chips from cafes in Vaughan that allegedly housed illegal gaming operations are seen. “The intimidation including shootings and arsons.” “People in this cycle were gambling away their life savings,” he said. Carl Mattinen said the group would lure in gamblers, push them to exhaust all of their money, loan them money at exorbitant rates of interest, and then threaten and harm them if they did not pay up. IN PHOTOS: Investigators show items seized in major crime bustĭet. It resulted in what is believed to be the largest Mafia bust in Ontario’s history. Responding to spike in shootings, arsons in Vaughan and the surrounding area in 2017, police started “Project Sindicato,” targeting a group accused of operating illegal backroom gambling dens in various cafes. York Regional Police say they have arrested 15 people and seized $35 million worth of homes, sports cars and cash in a major trans-Atlantic probe targeting the most prominent wing of ‘Ndrangheta Mafia clan in Canada.

Will there be a mafia 4