Organized crime continues to be huge problem in Vaughan

Issue with mob growth much larger than anticipated

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 30, 2015
By Jeremy Grimaldi

The mob has been a problem in Vaughan for years, but there’s evidence that the problem is worsening.

Although York Regional Police took steps to bulk up their intelligence bureau, the issue seems to be much larger than anticipated.

Earlier this year, RCMP Supt. Keith Finn called Vaughan the epicentre of the ‘Ndrangheta.

Antonio Nicaso, a mafia expert, said it’s widely known on the streets that the Southern-Calabrian mob is buying up bars to set up illegal gambling sites.

This is even more troubling because of what occurred on June 24 at Woodbridge’s Moka Cafe. During morning rush hour traffic, police allege that Jason Hay, from Mississauga, walked into the business and shot four people, two of whom died.

He is awaiting a first-degree murder trial. Both of the deceased are presumed to have been innocent bystanders to what occurred. The other two shot include Rocco Di Poala and another man, whose identity is being shielded by police.

Police say the cafe was an illegal gambling den.

Since 2013, there have been eight shootings that appear to be linked to mafia and gang violence.

Police have also made several high-profile arrests involving a number of Vaughan residents, allegedly involved in illegal activities including drug dealing, guns and extortion.

Investigators say the ‘Ndrangheta has long since become the major player in the GTA, dealing in drugs, guns and extortion and rivalling the Sicilian mafia, the Cosa Nostra, in Montreal.

Then there was Project Forza in which a number of men were arrested for drugs, extortion and stock market manipulation.

However their alleged leader, Daniel Ranieri, left for Cuba before the move.

Police are seeking an international warrant for the arrest of Ranieri, from Bolton, who doesn’t necessarily have ties to Montreal mobsters, but, according to police, was associated with Juan Ramon Fernandez, a now deceased gangster with ties to the Rizzuto crime family.

In all, there have been eight murders and 10 shootings in Vaughan associated with the mafia or gangs since 2013.

In June of 2013, Sam Calautti and his associate, James Tusek, were gunned down while in their vehicle outside a banquet hall.

Carmine Verduci, who police said was involved in one of the two ‘Ndrangheta cells they were investigating, was also murdered.

Also shot and killed have been Ritesh Thakur, who was killed outside the Home Sense, at Hwy. 7 and Weston Road, in May 2014 and Sarhad Sadiq, of Nobleton, who was shot outside a cafe on Woodstream Boulevard the following month.

Next it was Gul Mohammed Alakoozi, who was shot at a home on Via Borghese, in Vaughan.