Canada’s biggest mafia boss Leonardo Rizzuto and 11 others arrested in Quebec under the most significant crackdown on organized crime in decades

In a coordinated operation involving more than 150 police officers, Quebec authorities arrested 11 suspects on Thursday(June 12), including alleged mafia boss Leonardo Rizzuto, in what officials are calling the largest organized crime takedown in decades.

"This is one of the most significant police operations in recent decades," said Benoît Dubé, Director of Criminal Investigations for the Sûreté du Québec (SQ). Officers swept across nine cities, including Montreal, Laval, Quebec City, and Rosemère, executing warrants tied to a years-long investigation known as Project Alliance.

Targeting Canada’s most powerful mafia group

All 11 men have pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder and conspiracy to murder.

Among them is Leonardo Rizzuto, 56, the youngest son of the late Vito Rizzuto, once regarded as Canada’s most powerful mob boss. The Rizzuto family, long linked to Sicily’s Cosa Nostra, dominated organized crime in Montreal for decades.

The operation targeted members of the traditional Italian mafia, the Hells Angels, and local street gangs. Those arrested are accused of sponsoring or executing multiple murders and attempted murders between 2011 and 2021.

Retired officer Pietro Poletti noted a shift in tactics: “In the past, Italian mafia or bikers wouldn’t outsource hits. But this time, a freelance killer was key.”

Killer turned informant connected the dots

That man is Frederick Silva, a notorious contract killer who turned police informant in 2022. His testimony and cooperation, according to investigators, were pivotal in connecting the dots across different criminal factions.

One arrest shocked residents of St-Lazare, where armed officers surrounded a quiet suburban home at sunrise. “We saw flashing lights and my son started crying,” said Marie Deschamps, a mother of two. “You never expect this on your street.”

Stefano Sollecito from Montreal’s underworld

The arrests also included Stefano Sollecito, 57, another major figure in Montreal's underworld. Authorities believe the charges carrying potential sentences of 25 years or more will severely weaken the mafia's infrastructure.

Future threat

Still, police are wary of what comes next. “Where there’s a void, someone will try to fill it,” said Francis Renaud of the Montreal Police Organized Crime Unit. “We’re watching closely to see who steps in.”

Five suspects remain at large, and the next court appearance for those arrested is scheduled for September. Meanwhile, police are urging the public to come forward with information by contacting Info-Crime Montréal at 514-393-1133.

Quebec’s underworld may be shaken, but the long shadow of organized crime still looms.