York Regional Police report that they have shut down an illegal betting network that was operating from several spots in Vaughan and Toronto.
Three residents of Vaughan are among nine individuals charged after a two-year investigation into unlawful gambling activities in Vaughan and Toronto, according to York Regional Police.
Project Scala began in 2024, initiated by the organized crime task force with help from South Simcoe Police Service. The focus was on people allegedly gathering money from gaming houses throughout the area, as stated in a news release from York Regional Police.
On January 22, authorities executed search warrants at various homes and gaming locations in Vaughan and Toronto, including a business and storage unit in Toronto, along with two vehicles. Items seized included video gaming machines, illegal tobacco and alcohol, cash, a cryptocurrency wallet, silver bars and coins, controlled substances, as well as two vehicles.
The suspects are facing charges such as maintaining a common gaming or betting house, possession of property obtained through crime over $5,000, trafficking proceeds of crime, possessing money or property for betting or gaming purposes, possession intended for trafficking, and possession of a controlled substance.
Alessaandro Ortolano, 56 years old from Vaughan is charged with:
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
Traffic in Proceeds Obtained by Crime Over $5000
Keep Common Gaming/Betting House
Have Money or Property for Betting/Gaming
Giorgio Campagna, 64 years old from Toronto is charged with:
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
Traffic in Proceeds Obtained by Crime Over $5000
Have Money or Property for Betting/Gaming
Keep Common Gaming/Betting House
Giuseppe Minaci, 61 years old from Toronto is charged with:
Possess Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
Traffic in Proceeds Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
Have Money or Property for Betting/Gamming
Keep Common Gaming/Betting House
Allow a Machine to be kept for Gambling/Betting
• Giuseppe Ferraro, 63 years old from Cambridge is charged with:
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking
Possess Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
Keep Common Gaming/Betting House
• Caprice Sluman, 61 years old from Vaughan is charged with:
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Keep Common Gaming/Betting House
• Salvatore Blanda ,50 years old from Tottenham is charged with:
Found in Gaming/Betting House
Paul Lessis ,47 years old from Innisfil is charged with:
Keep Common Gaming/Betting House
• Gaspere Malfara ,70 years old from Vaughan is charged with:
Keep Common Gaming/Betting House
• James Sze ,27 years old from Toronto is charged with:
Keep Common Gaming/Betting House
Police indicated that this investigation received support from the Ontario government through the Ministry of the Solicitor General along with assistance from Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario.
Anyone who has information should reach out to York Regional Police’s Major Projects Unit at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 6970 or send anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
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