Editing 'Ndrangheta (section)

===Canada===
According to a May 2018 news report, "Siderno's Old World 'Ndrangheta boss sent acolytes to populate the New World" including Michele (Mike) Racco who settled in Toronto in 1952, followed by other mob families. By 2010, investigators in Italy said that Toronto's 'Ndrangheta had climbed "to the top of the criminal world" with "an unbreakable umbilical cord" to Calabria.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/feature/when-cops-cant-convict-a-top-mafia-boss-they-turn-to-desperate-measures|title=When Cops Can't Convict a 'Top Mafia Boss,' They Turn to Desperate Measures |newspaper=National Post |date=1 May 2018|publisher=nationalpost.com|last1=Humphreys |first1=Adrian }}</ref>

The Canadian 'Ndrangheta is believed to be involved in various activities including the smuggling of unlicensed [[tobacco]] products through ties with criminal elements in cross-border [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] tribes.<ref name="MackenzieInstitute">{{cite web |url=http://www.mackenzieinstitute.com/1994/sin-tax-failure9.htm |title=Sin-Tax Failure: The Market in Contraband Tobacco and Public Safety |publisher=The Mackenzie Institute |author=Thompson, John C. |date=January 1994 |access-date=7 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070415050016/http://www.mackenzieinstitute.com/1994/sin-tax-failure9.htm |archive-date=15 April 2007<!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> According to Alberto Cisterna of the Italian National Anti-Mafia Directorate, the 'Ndrangheta has a heavy presence in Canada. "There is a massive number of their people in North America, especially in Toronto. And for two reasons. The first is linked to the banking system. Canada's banking system is very secretive; it does not allow investigation. So Canada is the ideal place to launder money. The second reason is to smuggle drugs." The 'Ndrangheta have found Canada a useful North American entry point.<ref name="NatPost20100924">{{cite news |last=Humphries |first=Adrian |date=24 September 2010 |title=A New Mafia: Crime families ruling Toronto, Italy alleges |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/a-new-mafia-crime-families-ruling-toronto-italy-alleges |work=[[National Post]] |location=Toronto, Ontario |access-date=21 February 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20101121205652/http://www.nationalpost.com/news/Mafia+Crime+families+ruling+Toronto+Italy+alleges/3576903/story.html |archive-date=21 November 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The organization used extortion, loan sharking, theft, electoral crimes, mortgage and bank fraud, crimes of violence and cocaine trafficking.<ref name="carmine" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/04/10/ex-mobster-tells-court-24m-he-was-paid-for-working-as-police-agent-isnt-half-of-what-i-gave-up.html|title=Ex-mobster tells court $2.4M he was paid for working as police agent 'isn't half of what I gave up'|author=Peter Edwards|date=10 April 2018|work=Toronto Star|access-date=18 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918193734/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/04/10/ex-mobster-tells-court-24m-he-was-paid-for-working-as-police-agent-isnt-half-of-what-i-gave-up.html|archive-date=18 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

A Canadian branch labelled the [[Siderno Group]] has been active in Canada since the 1950s; it was formed originally by Michele (Mike) Racco, who was the head of the Group until his death in 1980. Siderno is also home to one of the 'Ndrangheta's biggest and most important clans, heavily involved in the global cocaine business and money laundering.<ref name="NatPost20100924" /> [[Antonio Commisso]], the alleged leader of the Siderno group, is reported to lead efforts to import "illicit arms, explosives and drugs".<ref name="NathansonSociety">{{cite web |url=http://www.yorku.ca/nathanson/CurrentEvents/2005_Q2.htm#Italian |title=Organized Crime in Canada: A Quarterly Summary |publisher=Nathanson Society |date=June 2005 |access-date=7 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070330134720/http://www.yorku.ca/nathanson/CurrentEvents/2005_Q2.htm#Italian |archive-date=30 March 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> Elements of 'Ndrangheta have been reported to have been present in [[Hamilton, Ontario]] as early as 1911.<ref name="CorriereCanadese20010624">{{cite news |publisher=Corriere Canadese |title=The twisted code of silence: Part 4 – Murder, extortion and drug dealing exemplified organized crime in Toronto |author=Nicaso, Antonio |date=24 June 2001}} Viewed 7 April 2007.</ref> Historical crime families in the Hamilton area include the [[Musitano crime family|Musitanos]], [[Luppino crime family|Luppinos]] and [[Papalia crime family|Papalias]].<ref name="Mobsters free">{{cite news|title=Unease as mobsters set free|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=b9fa5e38-48cb-40a0-b390-cbcd989d6e37|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629210748/http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=b9fa5e38-48cb-40a0-b390-cbcd989d6e37|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 June 2013|work=National Post|access-date=29 June 2013}}</ref>

According to an agreed Statement of Fact filed with the court, "the Locali [local cells] outside of Calabria replicate the structure from Calabria, and are connected to their mother-Locali in Calabria. The authority to start Locali outside Calabria comes from the governing bodies of the organization in Calabria. The Locali outside of Calabria are part of the same 'Ndrangheta organization as in Calabria, and maintain close relationships with the Locali where its members come from." The group's activities in the [[Greater Toronto Area]] were controlled by a group known as the '[[Camera di Controllo]]' which "makes all of the final decisions", according to the witness' testimony.<ref name="carmine">{{cite news|date= 24 March 2018|title= Toronto court hears testimony on inner workings of 'Ndrangheta organized crime group|url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8349225-toronto-court-hears-testimony-on-inner-workings-of-ndrangheta-organized-crime-group/?s=n1|newspaper=Waterloo Region Record|location=Kitchener, Ontario}}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> It consists of six or seven [[Toronto]]-area men, who co-ordinate activities and resolves disputes among [[Siderno Group|Calabrian gangsters]] in [[Southern Ontario]]. In 1962, Racco established a ''[[crimine|crimini]]'' or Camera di Controllo in Canada with the help of [[Giacomo Luppino]] and [[Rocco Zito]].<ref name="crimini">{{cite book |last=Schneider |first=Stephen |date=15 October 1998 |title=Canadian Organized Crime|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y0hBDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA178|location=Toronto|publisher=Canadian Scholars' Press Inc.|page=178|isbn=1773380249}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/30/the-life-and-death-of-rocco-zito|title=The life and death of Rocco Zito|publisher=torontosun.com|date=30 January 2016|access-date=4 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102075702/http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/30/the-life-and-death-of-rocco-zito/|archive-date=2 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="style">{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/news/youd-never-guess-he-was-a-mafia-chieftain-longtime-toronto-mob-boss-rocco-zito-killed-in-violent-attack|title=You'd never guess he was a Mafia chieftain': Longtime mob boss killed in violent attack in Toronto home|publisher=nationalpost.com|date=30 January 2016|access-date=4 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="schneider310">Schneider, ''Iced: The Story of Organized Crime in Canada'', pp. 310</ref> One of the members was [[Giuseppe Coluccio]], before he was arrested and extradited to Italy.<ref name="np160808">[https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=727759 Life of luxury on hold]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}, ''National Post'', 16 August 2008</ref> Other members are [[Vincenzo DeMaria]],<ref name="np160909">[https://nationalpost.com/Reputed+Mafia+boss+wants+police+allegations+barred+from+hearing/2001514/story.html Reputed Mafia boss wants police allegations barred from hearing]{{Dead link|date=June 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}, ''National Post'', 16 September 2009</ref><ref>[https://nationalpost.com/news/police-lose-track-of-alleged-soldier-in-the-mob-until-canadian-tire-tussle Police lose track of alleged soldier in the mob, until Canadian Tire tussle], National Post, 17 February 2011</ref> [[Carmine Verduci]] before his death,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/03/27/court-hears-details-of-mob-killings-in-secret-recordings.html|title=Court hears details of mob killings in secret recordings|work=The Star|date=27 March 2018|access-date=18 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705150609/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/03/27/court-hears-details-of-mob-killings-in-secret-recordings.html|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and Cosimo Stalteri before his death.<ref>[http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/02/14/calabrian-mafia-boss-earned-mobs-respect/ Calabrian Mafia boss earned mob's respect] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130129122009/http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/02/14/calabrian-mafia-boss-earned-mobs-respect/ |date=29 January 2013}}, ''National Post'', 14 February 2011</ref> In August 2015, the [[Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada]] (IRB) issued a [[deportation]] order for [[Carmelo Bruzzese]].<ref name="deport">{{cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/toronto-area-grandfather-accused-of-being-italian-mob-boss-ordered-deported-to-face-trial|title=Toronto-area grandfather accused of being Italian mob boss ordered deported to face trial|newspaper=National Post|publisher=nationalpost.com|date=10 August 2015|last1=Humphreys|first1=Adrian}}</ref> Bruzzese appealed the decision to Canada's [[Federal Court (Canada)|Federal Court]], but it was rejected,<ref name="deport" /> and on 2 October 2015, Bruzzese was escorted onto a plane in [[Toronto]], landing in [[Rome]], where he was arrested by Italian police.<ref name="land">{{cite web|title=Suspected Mafia boss deported in renewed push from Canada and Italy against the mob.|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/deportation-of-suspected-mafia-boss-seen-as-start-of-renewed-push-between-canada-and-italy-against-the-mob|date=3 October 2015|work=National Post|access-date=21 August 2019}}</ref> Major Giuseppe De Felice, a commander with the [[Carabinieri]], told the IRB that Bruzzese "assumed the most important roles and decisions. He gave the orders."<ref name="land" />

After living in [[Richmond Hill, Ontario]] for five years until 2010, Antonio Coluccio was one of 29 people named in arrest warrants in Italy in September 2014. Police said they were part of the [[Commisso 'ndrina]] ('Ndrangheta) crime family in [[Siderno]]. In July 2018, Coluccio was sentenced to 30 years in prison for corruption. His two brothers, including Salvatore and [[Giuseppe Coluccio]], were already in prison due to Mafia-related convictions.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/world/heavy-prison-sentence-in-italy-against-mobster-ends-his-yearning-to-return-to-canada|title=Heavy prison sentence in Italy against mobster likely ends his yearning to return to Canada|author=Adrian Humphreys|date=18 July 2018|work=National Post}}</ref>

In June 2018, Cosimo Ernesto Commisso, of [[Woodbridge, Ontario]], and an unrelated woman were shot and killed in his vehicle whilst outside his home. According to sources contacted by the ''[[Toronto Star]]'', "Commisso was related to [[Cosimo Commisso (mobster)|Cosimo "The Quail" Commisso]] of Siderno, Italy, who has had relations in Ontario, is considered by police to be a "'Ndrangheta organized crime boss".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/07/02/man-killed-in-woodbridge-shooting-had-family-ties-to-organized-crime.html|title=Man killed in Woodbridge shooting had family ties to organized crime – The Star|website=[[Toronto Star]]|date=2 July 2018|access-date=8 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708220810/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/07/02/man-killed-in-woodbridge-shooting-had-family-ties-to-organized-crime.html|archive-date=8 July 2018|url-status=live|last1=Edwards|first1=Peter}}</ref> The ''[[National Post]]'' reported that Cosimo Ernesto Commisso, while not a known criminal, "shares a name and family ties with a man who has for decades been reputed to be a Mafia leader in the Toronto area".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-less-you-know-the-better-it-is-mob-links-to-shocking-murder-of-man-woman-on-quiet-woodbridge-street|title='The less you know the better it is': Mob links in murder of man, woman on quiet Woodbridge street|newspaper=National Post|date=29 June 2018|last1=Humphreys|first1=Adrian}}</ref> The cousin of "The Quail", [[Antonio Commisso]], was on the [[list of most wanted fugitives in Italy]] until his capture on 28 June 2005, in Woodbridge.<ref name="np300705">[http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=9af45529-0622-4e8e-be40-ebfc4c7a4f2b Back to the 'wolves'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323104911/http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=9af45529-0622-4e8e-be40-ebfc4c7a4f2b |date=23 March 2008}}, ''National Post'', 30 July 2005</ref>

In June 2015, RCMP led police raids across the [[Greater Toronto Area]], named Project OPhoenix, which resulted in the arrest of 19 men, allegedly affiliated with the 'Ndrangheta. In March 2018, during the resultant criminal trial north of Toronto, the court heard from a Carabinieri lieutenant-colonel that 'Ndrangheta is active in Germany, Australia and the Greater Toronto Area. "People in Italy have to be responsible for their representatives here but the final word comes from Italy".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2018/03/24/toronto-court-hears-testimony-on-inner-workings-of-ndrangheta-organized-crime-group.html|title=Toronto court hears testimony on inner workings of 'Ndrangheta organized crime group|work=The Star|date=24 March 2018|access-date=18 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516103642/https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2018/03/24/toronto-court-hears-testimony-on-inner-workings-of-ndrangheta-organized-crime-group.html|archive-date=16 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> A member of the Greater Toronto Area's 'Ndrangheta cell, Carmine Guido, who had been a police informant, testified at length in 2018 about the structure and activities of the organization which had been under the control of Italian-born [[Bradford, Ontario]] resident, Giuseppe (Pino) Ursino and Romanian-born Cosmin (Chris) Dracea of Toronto. The latter two faced two counts of cocaine trafficking for the benefit of a criminal organization and one charge of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.<ref name="million">{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/03/28/i-was-starting-to-lose-my-mind-former-mobster-tells-cocaine-trafficking-trial.html|title='I was starting to lose my mind,' former mobster tells cocaine trafficking trial|work=The Star|date=28 March 2018|access-date=29 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329173826/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/03/28/i-was-starting-to-lose-my-mind-former-mobster-tells-cocaine-trafficking-trial.html|archive-date=29 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Guido was paid $2.4 million by the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] between 2013 and 2015 to secretly tape dozens of conversations with suspected 'Ndrangheta members.<ref name="million" /><ref>[https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/01/09/crown-calling-for-lengthy-prison-sentences-in-gta-mafia-drug-importing-trial.html Crown calling for lengthy prison sentences in GTA Mafia drug-importing trial] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111055040/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/01/09/crown-calling-for-lengthy-prison-sentences-in-gta-mafia-drug-importing-trial.html |date=11 January 2019}}, ''Toronto Star'', 9 January 2019</ref><ref>[https://nationalpost.com/news/no-excuses-besides-being-stupid-drug-smuggler-in-landmark-mafia-trial-tells-judge-at-sentencing-hearing No excuses 'besides being stupid,' drug smuggler in landmark Mafia trial tells judge at sentencing hearing], ''National Post'', 9 January 2019</ref> In February 2019, Ursino was sentenced to {{frac|11|1|2}} years in prison on drug trafficking charges, with Dracea sentenced to nine years in prison on cocaine trafficking conspiracy. Neither had a previous criminal record. At the sentencing, the presiding judge made this comment: "Based on the evidence at trial, Giuseppe Ursino is a high-ranking member of the 'Ndrangheta who orchestrated criminal conduct and then stepped back to lessen his potential implication. ... Cosmin Dracea knew he was dealing with members of a criminal organization when he conspired to import cocaine".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.simcoe.com/news-story/9201189-judge-sentences-ndrangheta-crime-boss-to-11-1-2-years-for-cocaine-conspiracy/|title=Judge sentences 'Ndrangheta crime boss to 11-1/2 years for cocaine conspiracy|publisher=Simcoe News|date=1 March 2019|access-date=28 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428144926/https://www.simcoe.com/news-story/9201189-judge-sentences-ndrangheta-crime-boss-to-11-1-2-years-for-cocaine-conspiracy/|archive-date=28 April 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

During the Ursino/Dracea trial, an Italian police expert testified that the 'Ndrangheta operated in the Greater Toronto Area and in [[Thunder Bay]] particularly in drug trafficking, extortion, loan sharking, theft of public funds, robbery, fraud, electoral crimes and crimes of violence. After the trial, Tom Andreopoulos, deputy chief federal prosecutor, said that this was the first time in Canada that the 'Ndrangheta was targeted as an organized crime group since 1997, when the Criminal Code was amended to include the offence of criminal organization.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/02/28/toronto-judge-sentences-ndrangheta-crime-boss-to-11-years-for-cocaine-conspiracy.html|title=Toronto judge sentences 'Ndrangheta crime boss to 11 1/2 years for cocaine conspiracy|newspaper=Toronto Star|access-date=2 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301130900/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/02/28/toronto-judge-sentences-ndrangheta-crime-boss-to-11-years-for-cocaine-conspiracy.html|archive-date=1 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> He offered this comment about the organization:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/news/membership-in-mafia-better-than-gold-landmark-trial-of-two-mobsters-hears/wcm/166b9787-1da6-4d14-bac2-c1663bf63c10|title=Membership in Mafia 'better than gold,' landmark trial of two mobsters hears|publisher=stratfordbeaconherald.com|date=8 November 2018|access-date=28 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428150327/https://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/news/membership-in-mafia-better-than-gold-landmark-trial-of-two-mobsters-hears/wcm/166b9787-1da6-4d14-bac2-c1663bf63c10|archive-date=28 April 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><blockquote>"We're talking about structured organized crime. We're talking about a political entity, almost; a culture of crime that colonizes across the sea from Italy to Canada. This is one of the most sophisticated criminal organizations in the world."</blockquote>

In June 2018, a Mafia expert wrote that "A new alliance between Bonanno associates and the Violi family ... is significant, as it suggests a growing prominence for Calabrian mafia – the 'Ndrangheta – within the New York families and in Canada". Criminologist Anna Sergi of the University of Essex added that drug trafficking was the most active pursuit in North America.<ref name="thestar.com">{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/07/13/pat-musitano-killing-opens-the-door-for-turnover-in-hamilton-mafia-underworld-expert-says.html |title=Pat Musitano killing opens the door for turnover in Hamilton Mafia underworld, expert says |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=13 July 2020 |last1=Edwards |first1=Peter}}</ref>

On 18 July 2019, the [[York Regional Police]] announced the largest organized crime bust in Ontario, part of an 18-month long operation called Project Sindicato that was also coordinated with the [[Italian State Police]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/largest-mafia-bust-in-ontario-history-15-arrests-35-million-worth-of-homes-seized-1.4513261|publisher=toronto.ctvnews.ca|date=18 July 2019|title=Largest mafia bust in Ontario history: 15 arrests, $35 million worth of homes seized|access-date=18 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718174002/https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/largest-mafia-bust-in-ontario-history-15-arrests-35-million-worth-of-homes-seized-1.4513261|archive-date=18 July 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> York Regional Police had arrested 15 people in Canada, 12 people in Calabria, and seized $35 million worth of homes, sports cars and cash in a major trans-Atlantic probe targeting the most prominent wing of the 'Ndrangheta in Canada headed by Angelo Figliomeni. On 14 and 15 July, approximately 500 officers raided 48 homes and businesses across the GTA, seizing 27 homes worth $24 million, 23 cars, including five [[Ferrari]]s, and $2 million in cash and jewelry. Nine of the 15 arrests in Canada included major crime figures: Angelo Figliomeni, Vito Sili, Nick Martino, Emilio Zannuti, Erica Quintal, Salvatore Oliveti, Giuseppe Ciurleo, Rafael Lepore and Francesco Vitucci.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yrp.ca/en/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=c94c9faa-fe0c-4971-a310-7448e82659ef|title=Charges List- Organized Crime Charges Laid and Proceeds of Crime Seized |publisher=yrp.ca|date=18 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718174049/https://www.yrp.ca/en/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=c94c9faa-fe0c-4971-a310-7448e82659ef |archive-date=18 July 2019 }}</ref> The charges laid included tax evasion, money laundering, defrauding the government and participating in a criminal organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/figliomeni-crime-family-ndrangheta-vaughan-york-police-1.5216270|title=Project Sindacato ends in arrests of 9 members of alleged crime family in Vaughan|publisher=cbc.ca|date=18 July 2019|access-date=19 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719084248/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/figliomeni-crime-family-ndrangheta-vaughan-york-police-1.5216270|archive-date=19 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

During a press conference in [[Vaughan]], Ontario, Fausto Lamparelli of the Italian State Police, offered this comment about the relationship between the 'Ndrangheta in Ontario and Calabria:<ref>{{cite news|title=Following dirty money leads police to alleged Mafia clan north of Toronto living life of luxury|date=18 July 2019|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/following-dirty-money-leads-police-to-alleged-mafia-clan-north-of-toronto-living-life-of-luxury|work=National Post |access-date=19 July 2019|quote=Also charged are Emilio Zannuti, 48, of Vaughan, alleged to play a senior role in the organization; Vito Sili, 37, of Vaughan, alleged to help move the group's money; Erica Quintal, 30, of Bolton, alleged to be a bookkeeper with the group; Nicola Martino, 52, of Vaughan, alleged to be another money man; Giuseppe Ciurleo, 30, of Toronto, alleged to help Zanutti run gambling; Rafael Lepore, 59, of Vaughan, alleged to be a gambling machine operator; and Francesco Vitucci, 44, of Vaughan, alleged to be Figlimoeni's former driver who moved up to help run a café.}}</ref><blockquote>"This investigation allowed us to learn something new. The 'Ndrangheta crime families in Canada are able to operate autonomously, without asking permission or seeking direction from Italy. Traditionally, 'Ndrangheta clans around the world are all subservient to the mother ship in Calabria. It suggests the power and influence the Canadian-based clans have built."</blockquote>

On 9 August 2019, as part of the same joint investigation, several former Greater Toronto Area residents were arrested in Calabria, including Giuseppe DeMaria, Francesco Commisso, Rocco Remo Commisso, Antonio Figliomeni and Cosimo Figiomeni.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/08/09/several-gta-residents-arrested-in-italy-following-mafia-sweep.html|title=Several GTA residents arrested in Italy following Mafia sweep|work=The Star|date=9 August 2019|access-date=11 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811144541/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/08/09/several-gta-residents-arrested-in-italy-following-mafia-sweep.html|archive-date=11 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Vincenzo Muià had visited Toronto on 31 March 2019 to meet with Angelo and Cosimo Figliomeni, seeking answers to who had ambushed and killed his brother, Carmelo Muià, in Siderno on 18 January 2018; Muià's smartphone was unwittingly and secretly transmitting his closed-door conversations to authorities in Italy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/italian-mafia-boss-visiting-canada-unwitting-carried-a-police-wiretap-to-his-meetings|publisher=nationalpost.com|date=11 August 2019|title=Italian Mafia boss visiting Canada unwittingly carried a police wiretap to his meetings|newspaper=National Post|last1=Humphreys|first1=Adrian}}</ref>

In 2020, the charges laid against three individuals as a result of Project Sindicato were "stayed" (the prosecution discontinued), unless the prosecutors could find new evidence and proceeded with the charges again within one year. In January 2021, the charges against the remaining six were also stayed, including that of Angelo Figliomeni, "the head of the 'Ndrangheta in Toronto" according to York Regional Police.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thespec.com/news/ontario/2020/01/27/mafia-boss-with-ties-to-gta-arrests-found-dead-in-italian-prison-cell.html |title=Mafia boss with ties to GTA arrests found dead in Italian prison cell |date=27 January 2021 |work=Hamilton Spectator |access-date=24 February 2021 |quote=York police at the time said they considered Angelo Figliomini as the head of an international 'Ndrangheta group with a base in York Region.}}</ref> The charges were stayed after an investigation "into the use of the privileged conversations" that found "improper use of wiretapping" and "significant breaches of [[solicitor-client privilege]]". All property seized by police must now be returned – with the exception of illegal possessions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/sindacato-charges-stayed-mob-york-police-1.5925133 |title=Charges stayed in one of Ontario's largest Mob busts after alleged illegal conduct by investigators |date=24 February 2021 |publisher=CBC News |access-date=24 February 2021 |quote=All property seized by police must now be returned – with the exception of illegal possessions, such as the gambling machines}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/02/24/massive-gta-mafia-bust-collapses-defence-says-york-police-accessed-lawyers-communications.html |title=Massive GTA Mafia bust collapses. Defence says York police accessed lawyers' communications |date=24 February 2021 |work=Toronto Star |access-date=24 February 2021}}</ref>