Benedetto Zizzo/Ontario

[motorfab]

I was researching organized crime in Toronto and drug trafficking when Benedetto Zizzo's name caught my attention

It seems that the Agueci brothers who were originally from Salemi were dealing with the boss there Salvatore Zizzo and that all this little world was supplied with heroin by the Corsicans Antoine Cordoliani (a former associate of François Spirito) and the legendary chemist Joseph "Monsieur 98% "Cesari at least until the arrest of Albert Agueci in 1962. Alberto Agueci was also the owner of the" Queen "bakery with Benedetto Zizzo, Salvatore's brother.

Zizzo subsequently put another network between Sicily, the USA and Canada. Montreal guys like Frank Cotroni, Frank Dasti, Guido Orsini & Santo Mendolia acted as intermediary between Zizzo's men, Salvatore Reggio and Vito Adamo.

One of Zizzo's lieutenants, Antonio Sciortino, was linked with two guys from New York: Pietro Misuraca & Anthony Castiglione themselves close to traffickers from Palermo, Pasquale Fretto & Giuseppe Gaglia

While looking on a site on the net, the name of Giuseppe Indelicato (apparently born in Siculiana, maybe a member of the cosca there?), close to the guy from Ndrangheta from Toronto Rocco Zito, was also attached to the name of Zizzo. Indelicato & Zito reportedly met Paolo Gambino at the Holiday Inn in Toronto in 1970.

They would also have seen several times between 1963 and 1964 Montreal mafia leaders, the Cotroni brothers, Antonio Manno, Nick Rizzuto & Paolo Violi.

Most of the members were arrested and sentenced to heavy sentences in 1973, except Sciortino who was acquitted

As much as I am quite competent in Montreal, I humbly admit that I have a lot of trouble seeing clearly in the groups in Ontario. Would anyone be competent enough to sort this out?

[SantoClaus]

In that time frame, I think it is hard to look at Ontario, especially regarding narcotics, without including John Papalia. He was busted in the French Connection?

Also apprenticed under Galante (I believe traveled to Montreal with him in the 1940s or 50s), had connections to Genovese, through drugs, as well as Magaddino.

I'm not suggesting that he was as big as those guys, rather, that he was a key player in a key place (Hamilton), which at the time acted as a major distribution hub, due to its proximity to the Buffalo and Detroit borders. Curious if his relationship with Galante put him in contact with Joe Bonanno or how his relationship with Galante was after Galante got out of prison, and ran the Pizza Connection, etc?? It may have played a serious role in Ontario's narcotic trafficking.

[motorfab]

In that time frame, I think it is hard to look at Ontario, especially regarding narcotics, without including John Papalia. He was busted in the French Connection?

Absolutely, he is even one of the most involved Canadian or American gangsters. He was sentenced in 1963 to 10 years in prison for that (released in 1968 because of these tuberculosis problems). It was for the same case in which the brothers Agueci and Rocco Scopoletti (another Zip from Toronto if I'm not mistaken) were involved

Also apprenticed under Galante (I believe traveled to Montreal with him in the 1940s or 50s), had connections to Genovese, through drugs, as well as Magaddino.

I'm not suggesting that he was as big as those guys, rather, that he was a key player in a key place (Hamilton), which at the time acted as a major distribution hub, due to its proximity to the Buffalo and Detroit borders. Curious if his relationship with Galante put him in contact with Joe Bonanno or how his relationship with Galante was after Galante got out of prison, and ran the Pizza Connection, etc?? It may have played a serious role in Ontario's narcotic trafficking.

No indeed, he was still in his "rookie" years, I believe that in addition to Galante he worked with Greco & Pep Cotroni who were all very involved in the heroin with the French and the Five Families. I imagine that was when Johnny Pops started to network ... I'm not sure his real involvement in the Pizza Connection or even if he really has Joe Bonanno. By the time Pops was made, Bonanno was starting his feud with the rest of his family.

[B.]

Another Trapani figure involved with Zizzo and the Aguecis in Ontario was Baldassare Accardi from Vita. They were supposedly connected to the infamous Settimo Accardi, also from Vita. Maybe a relation of Baldassare.

Vita is right near Salemi in Sicily and the Zizzos were originally from Vita and moved to Salemi where they became mafia members. The Zizzo father was a criminal who died in prison in the 1920s, maybe a mafiosi. Salvatore Zizzo had the Salvo cousins under him and was powerful in Sicily.

[motorfab]

Another Trapani figure involved with Zizzo and the Aguecis in Ontario was Baldassare Accardi from Vita. They were supposedly connected to the infamous Settimo Accardi, also from Vita. Maybe a relation of Baldassare.

Vita is right near Salemi in Sicily and the Zizzos were originally from Vita and moved to Salemi where they became mafia members. The Zizzo father was a criminal who died in prison in the 1920s, maybe a mafiosi. Salvatore Zizzo had the Salvo cousins under him and was powerful in Sicily.

Good point thank you for that, he was also mentioned but I forgot to mention him. Without knowing he was from Vita, the fact that they feed the Pops-Aguecis pipeline made me think they were relative. Who knows

I will refine my initial question: is the Zizzo group considered an active group from Ontario like the Papalias, Musitanos, Luppinos or the Ndranghetta cell from Siderno, or an occasional active Zips group there?

And does anyone have any more info on them other than the drug cases I mentioned ?

[B.]

Haven't seen anything to indicate this particular Trapanese group/network maintained a presence in Ontario after the fallout with the Aguecis, but Pietro Scarcella of Toronto is from Castellammare Del Golfo. He was a little boy when these other guys were active in Ontario, so doubtful there is any direct connection but could indicate an ongoing community from Trapani. Sal Montagna apparently had relatives in Ontario and his family is from both Castellammare and Alcamo.

I don't know much about the Aguecis' background. They were from Salemi, made in the Buffalo family, and had a close relationship to the Zizzos of the Sicilian mafia and presumably guys from Vita. Buffalo had other members of Sicilian heritage in Ontario, though they were from Racalmuto, Agrigento... not sure if they brought the Aguecis into the Buffalo family or they came in another way.

[Moscone65]

The Racalmutesi in Hamilton were based on railway street, h the ye still have their club there

[SantoClaus]

The original Racalmutesi club was located on Bay and Barton in Hamilton, the one they have now is off of James Street North. The building that acts as the current club house was a doctor or a lawyer’s house, prior to being turned the club house.

This article is mostly about Galante and Montreal, however, it touches on Ontario, mentions a couple names, with references to traffic at both of the borders in Ontario.

https://panamericancrime.wordpress.com/ ... oin-trade/

[motorfab]

Thank you for the article SantoClaus. And thank you B. & Moscone65

[SantoClaus]

You’re welcome! Lots of reference to the French Connection, etc. Glad you found it to have value, enjoy.

[motorfab]

You’re welcome! Lots of reference to the French Connection, etc. Glad you found it to have value, enjoy.

The article is basic and has some errors (Vincent Papa member of the Lucchese family or Carmine Galante underboss) but it is well written and provides a good basis for a novice.

And it's true that unlike the other families in NY I can't name a single Colombo guy involved in the French Connection.

[SantoClaus]

Fair enough, when it comes specifically to the French Connection, I do my best to take it all with a grain of salt. I found the references to both the Detroit and Buffalo borders as neat, rarely have I heard many people discuss the Detroit border when really discussing narcotics. The focus for the most part when dealing with Ontario was the Buffalo border, and subsequently the business with New York City.

Interesting, I appreciate you vetting the article. I always have been interested in Corsica, the intrigue of Bonaparte only, is enough. Add in the French Connection, makes it such an interesting topic.

I really enjoying reading about it, from the Vendettas to all the information that's been shared. As you stated, compared to what is available on here regarding the topic, I've haven't been able to source any comparable information, thanks again!!

[Moscone65]

Your welcome motor fab. Santoclaus, what do you know about the gravelle group nowadays? I know one of them was busted this year. From my impression they are just mid tier drug dealers mostly? Do they deal with any of the clans

[SantoClaus]

Your welcome motor fab. Santoclaus, what do you know about the gravelle group nowadays? I know one of them was busted this year. From my impression they are just mid tier drug dealers mostly? Do they deal with any of the clans

I know that in the 90’s one of the Gravelles was implicated in a murder of a lawyer in Ancaster, with Johnny K9, who was a leader of the Satan’s Choice in Hamilton. As well as, found guilty in a killing in BC years later committed with members of the Red Scorpions and maybe HAs or UN members or even all the above.

As far as now, I heard that the Gravelles were rather successful with the marijuana dispensaries prior to the government cracked down. I’ve spoken with guys who either did security or knew guys who did some security for the dispensaries, and they said people were making 6 figures a day cash, every day, until the cops seized their buildings. Outside of that I couldn’t tell you much more.

[Moscone65]

That’s crazy cash, minchia