Montreal is in the grips of a crime surge as law enforcement has intensified efforts to combat entrenched organized crime, culminating in the recent arrests of key figures linked to a wave of violence against businesses in the city.
Among those apprehended is 18-year-old Karim Atay, previously convicted for assaulting an individual with ties to organized crime. In February 2025, he faced additional serious charges including extortion, possession of explosives, and possession of incendiary material. These new charges were connected to a troubling incident aimed at Palma restaurant in Griffintown, amid a violent pizzo war that has escalated in recent months.
The Palais de Justice in Montreal awaits his next appearance, scheduled following his arrest on February 27, 2025. The details surrounding Atay’s involvement paint a grim picture of desperation and intimidation within the restaurant business. According to the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), on July 12, 2024, Palma was targeted by gunfire in the early morning. This was no random act; it was part of a broader pattern of extortion where criminals demand protection money from business owners.
The following day, a box containing a threatening note and an incendiary device was found near the restaurant's entrance, indicating a calculated plan to instill fear among local business owners. The SPVM reported, "On July 12, 2024, a restaurant on Peel Street was targeted by gunfire. An unidentified individual left a box containing a threatening note and an incendiary object the next day." It highlights the increasing dangers of being a business owner in areas plagued by organized crime.
Adding to the tumult in Montreal’s crime landscape is 54-year-old Pietro D’Adamo, considered a significant leader within the Montreal Mafia. D’Adamo was apprehended along with his associates, Lawrence Cooney and Joshua Sarroino, also during a police operation near Île-des-Sœurs. They were in an armored SUV when tactical officers from the SPVM carried out the arrests on February 27, 2025, recovering two firearms in the process. These developments underscore a concerted effort by law enforcement to stem the tide of organized crime.
D’Adamo, regarded as one of the street bosses of the Montreal Mafia, is known for leading a clan in southwest Montreal that has connections to both the Sicilian Mafia and traditional Irish organized crime. He currently faces serious charges of threats and intimidation against police officers involved in subduing organized crime proliferating in the city. As law enforcement remains vigilant, the implications of D’Adamo's leadership presence cannot be understated.
In 2009, after a major raid known as the Colisée raid orchestrated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, D’Adamo was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for conspiracy and gangsterism, demonstrating a historical pattern of criminal behavior that stretches over a decade.
The networks surrounding Atay and D’Adamo offer a glimpse into the perils of contemporary criminality in Montreal. Atay was previously charged for discharging a firearm at a residence in Chomedey, leading to a record of violent behaviors that culminated in several assaults, including an attack on Antonio Pietrantonio, a former bodyguard for Vito Rizzuto, another infamous figure in Montreal's organized crime scene. During the June 26, 2024 attack, Atay and an accomplice confronted Pietrantonio, resulting in minor injuries for the victim and showcasing the brazen nature of these crimes. Despite their youth, the actions of individuals like Atay underscore the challenges faced by law enforcement in managing escalating violence.
Pietro D’Adamo's associate Joshua Sarroino, previously acquitted of murder, currently faces separate fraud charges related to a scam network targeting residents in the U.S. This connection between the different accused reveals a broader criminal landscape where business extortion and violent confrontations are interwoven with elaborate scams, all impacting the Montreal community.
The SPVM has committed to a robust investigation into these incidents. With experts diving into the nexus of criminal acts and their implications for local businesses, the urgency for community awareness regarding organized crime has never been more pressing. Officers aim not only to bring perpetrators to justice but also to assure citizens that measures are in place to counter violence.
As these high-profile arrests unfold, the realities of organized crime in Montreal persist, raising concerns among citizens and business owners alike. While law enforcement is working diligently to address the heightened crime, the city remains vigilant against the tide of violence that threatens community integrity. With pressing challenges ahead, the fight against organized crime in Montreal continues to demand unwavering commitment from law enforcement and community partners alike.
