28 Busted for Running Mafia-Linked Tobacco Smuggling Ring

Inspector Michel Pelletier, from the Sûreté du Québec; Annie
Beausejour, with Canada Border Agency; James Spero, with
US Homeland Security; and Superintendant Denis Blanchard,
with the RCMP 
The Globe and Mail: Canadian law enforcement arrested 28 people Wednesday in a crackdown on tobacco trafficking that allegedly involved the Italian Mafia and native organized crime.

Nicola Valvano, 53, who was described as an influential member of the Montreal Mafia, was among the arrested.

The Toronto Sun reported: "It's the "largest investigation of contraband tobacco ever undertaken in North America," according to Quebec provincial police."

About 400 law-enforcement officers – including members of the Quebec provincial police, the RCMP, other police forces, customs agents and U.S. authorities – were involved in the operation.



The alleged fraud amounted to $30 million, according to officials.

The tobacco was purchased by Mafia members in North Carolina and driven to Canada, according to law enforcement.

Some of the tobacco was smuggled through Lacolle, Que., one of the busiest Canada-U.S. border crossings. Other contraband was brought in through Akwesasne, a popular corridor for smugglers due to its international geography.

The contraband was shipped to "illicit factories" in Kahnawake, Que., another Mohawk reserve on Montreal's south shore."

Police fail to nab seven of the scheme's alleged participants.



Comments

  1. Most likely these guys won't get long sentences. Most will probably plea out.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anyone know anything about Nicola Volvana? Seems to be a player in Montreal, post-Rizzuto...

    ReplyDelete
  3. There are a boatload of guys up we've never even heard of.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular This Week

If Uncle Joe Retires What Happens in Philadelphia?

Mob Wife Ex-Husband Hector Pagan In Brooklyn Halfway House With April 2021 Release Date

Kitchen Nightmares Gangster Back In Business (Mob Business, That Is)

Alite: "Once Junior Went In, I Couldn't Flip Fast Enough"

The Two Primary Qualitative Variables For Defining Ports Along International Drug Trafficking Routes

Gamifying Gambling: How Lucky Green Casino Blends Arcade Energy with Classic Pokies