FREDERIC SERRE
The 1019 Report
Police have declared open season on organized crime, and last week’s dramatic arrest of a member of the Rizzuto clan in St. Lazare is only part of a wider and highly publicized search for Canada’s most wanted criminal: All Boivin, who, according to several police sources, was recently seen in St. Lazare, where one of his relatives lives. He has been on the run since February 2023.
During the early morning hours of last Thursday, more than 150 Sûreté du Québec and Montreal Police officers swooped in on various residences in the Greater Montreal region, including St. Lazare, Montreal, Laval, Blainville, Shefford, Repentigny and Rosemère. By the time the raids were over, 11 individuals were in custody, including Leonardo Rizzuto, the youngest son of Vito Rizzuto, head of the most powerful Italian mafia in Canada. They are all being held on charges related to six murders committed between 2011 and 2021.
“This is one of the hardest strikes against organized crime,” said Benoit Dubé of the SQ during a press conference to announce the results of Operation Alliance, which focused on the Rizzuto clan and members of the Hells Angels. The probe, which spanned three years, was described as the largest criminal investigation in the country in recent years, and hinged on the confessions of a former gang member turned police informant.
The murder victims are all believed to be associates of the Hells Angels, an individual linked to the mafia, and another person who was targeted by mistake.
Crown prosecutors Kim Chaiken, Geneviève Aumond and Mathieu Longpré filed a direct indictment, an exceptional procedure that speeds up the judicial process. The 11 defendants, ages 27 to 57, will go directly to trial. This will avoid several trips to court for Frédérick Silva, a hitman who turned informant, who is hiding in a secret location, as there will be no preliminary inquiry.
Praising the work of investigators, the SQ meanwhile is stepping up its efforts to capture Boivin, head of the Blood Family Mafia, which has been waging a bloody war with the Hells Angels for control of the narcotics trade in all four corners of the province. Police say that despite being in hiding, Boivin is still calling the shots and controlling his gang.
Boivin is wanted on Canada-wide warrants for numerous drug-related offences, including trafficking, conspiracy to traffic and possession for the purpose of trafficking. Boivin is also suspected of having participated in several criminal activities that are still under active investigation by several police services.
While Boivin has numerous ties in Quebec, particularly in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, he was identified as having a residence in St. Lazare and was reportedly seen in the town last month to visit a relative. Investigators strongly believe he may still be in the province and that accomplices are helping him evade the authorities.
According to the SQ, Boivin may be on the run with a female accomplice, Yaulise Lemieux-Bellavance, 26. There is a $250,000 reward out for the capture and arrest of Boivin and Lemieux-Bellavance.