The RCMP says several members of the 'Ndrangheta crime syndicate were arrested Tuesday after a series of early morning raids across the GTA.
During a news conference in Aurora Wednesday morning, RCMP Supt. Keith Finn said members of the RCMP’s Combined Special Forces Unit executed 25 search warrants Tuesday, which resulted in the arrests of 19 people.
“The investigation, which began two years ago in May 2013, revealed a network of sophisticated criminal organizations who conspire to import drugs, traffic firearms and who engaged in extreme violence and extortion in order to facilitate their criminal activities,” Finn said.
“We have identified several highly developed groups, each consisting of dozens of members grouped into so-called mafia families,” Finn told reporters.
Finn said the RCMP uncovered two specific crime cells operating in the area and one of which was operated by the late Carmine Verduci, who was gunned down outside a Woodbridge café in April 2014.
“We have found that these ‘Ndrangheta organized crime groups combine their efforts regionally, nationally, and internationally in order to elude enforcement, expand territorial influence and secure their sources of illicit income,” Finn added.
While the investigator would not get into the specifics of the case, he did say the RCMP has managed to “disrupt” a number of drug importation schemes that were being carried out by members of the crime group.
According to police, the schemes involved importing large quantities of cocaine from Jamaica, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic by sea and air.
In addition to the arrests, Finn said police also seized drugs, computer equipment, cell phones and five cars that were considered to be "offence-related property."
“There are two keys cells of the ‘Ndrangheta, I would say they are significantly dented. Today they are no longer effective,” Finn said.
“…the ‘Ndrangheta enterprise in itself, there are still elements out there. Absolutely, our work is not done.”
