Individual Under Scrutiny for Alleged Misdeeds
Catching the Big Fish: The Montreal Mafia Bust of 2024
Time to Meet the Key Players
Leonardo Rizzuto) - Nicknamed the "Young Don," Rizzuto is said to be the boss of the Montreal mafia. He's a lawyer by trade but allegedly heads the Sicilian clan, a title that earned him a place in a major bust in 2015, although charges were later dropped due to questionable electronic surveillance[1][5].
Stefano Sollecito) - Known as the "Godfather of the Sicilians," Sollecito is still considered the head of the Sicilian branch of the Montreal mafia. He's believed to have orchestrated a retaliation against an attempted coup in 2010-2011, paving the way for Vito Rizzuto's return[1][5].
Mario Sollecito) - Brother of Stefano, Mario was reportedly Vito Rizzuto's personal driver and bodyguard after the boss's return to Montreal in 2012[1][5].
Vito Salvaggio) - Steadily rising in the Sicilian clan, Salvaggio is seen by police as an influential member with a string of criminal activities against his name[1][5].
Nicola Spagnolo) - Currently serving a three-year sentence for a bar brawl, Spagnolo is the son of Vincenzo Spagnolo, a close associate of Vito Rizzuto. It was Nicola, not his father, who was the target of an attack in 2016[1][5].
Pietro D'Adamo) - In custody and waiting for trial, D'Adamo is said to be the Rizzuto family's main protector[1][5].
Davide Barberio) - Once boss of the Montreal mafia's street operations, Barberio was the target of a failed assassination attempt in 2021[1][5].
Stacey Richard Krolik) - Known as "the Russian," Krolik is believed to be a specialist in servers used for the mafia's sports betting. He's supposedly moved to Turkey[1][5].
Gianpietro Tiberio) - Known as an important player within the Montreal mafia, Tiberio attempted to get into the towing industry in Montreal a few years back and has close ties with the Hells Angels[1][5].
Daniele Guarna and Jean-Ismaël Zephir) - Both are former associates of Davide Barberio, with Zephir having criminal connections to the Hells Angels and the Syndicate gang[1][5].
Michel Cliche) - Cliche is believed to have been Stefano Sollecito's right-hand man and has a history of committing or conspiring in murders[1][5].
Pierry Philogène) - Known in the underworld as the driver of a mob boss, Philogène has several criminal charges, including firearm possession[1][5].
Darius Perry) - Connected to the Rolling 90's, an emerging street gang in Montreal, Perry is a co-accused in the kidnapping and murder of a crypto influencer[1][5].
Patrick Gilbert) - Gilbert has a history of various criminal charges and recently joined an "inclusive" motorcycle gang[1][5].
The Montreal Mafia Bust: Breaking Ranks
In 2024, the Montreal mafia faced one of its biggest blows as a result of a police operation across Quebec. The operation targeted drug trafficking and criminal activities associated with the Montreal mafia, ultimately leading to the arrest of 11 suspects[1][5].
Leonardo Rizzuto, the supposed head of the Montreal mafia, was the most notable figure among those arrested in this significant bust[1][5]. The operation resulted in the seizure of large quantities of drugs, firearms, and massive amounts of cash, emphasizing the substantial scale of the criminal network[1][5].
This bust marked one of the largest crackdowns on the Montreal mafia in years, presenting a significant step forward in law enforcement's efforts to dismantle organized crime in Quebec.
[1] Montreal Gazette[5] CBC News
- In the context of the Montreal Mafia Bust of 2024, general-news reports highlight the arrest of Leonardo Rizzuto, the alleged head of the mafia, as a key development in the crime-and-justice sphere.
- Despite the Montreal Mafia's extensive involvement in sports-betting, Stacey Richard Krolik, a specialist in servers used for such activities, was believed to have fled to Turkey ahead of the 2024 bust, indicating a potential shift in their criminal operations.
