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A recent spate of arsons occurring at Montreal cafes and other businesses have been tied to the local mob, according to police.
A press conference held on Tuesday afternoon announced the formation of a task force to investigate the “Italian organized crime” connection found in at least half the arson attacks.
Commander Mario Lamothe, who heads up the Montreal police’s arson and economic crime squad revealed that 19 Italian businesses have been targeted in recent months, all of which he alleges engage in some form of “illegal activity”.
“The illegal activity that is going on there, drugs basically. It can be illegal gambling, it can be prostitution, and the known organized crime figures, that’s a common aspect,” Lamothe said.
The arson attacks appear to be part of a “turf war” between rival Italian families.
Just three weeks ago, Montreal Godfather Nicolo (Nick) Rizzuto, 86, was shot dead in his home while eating dinner with family members. His son, Vito, is said to be the only remaining senior leader of the once dominant family in Montreal organized crime. Vito, however, is currently under house arrests for the murders of three other mobsters in New York.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
