Pubdate: Sat, 28 Jul 2001
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2001 Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Author: Ryan Remiorz, The Canadian Press

POLICE LINK GUN BATTLE TO DRUG DEAL

Montreal police technicians examine the crime scene where two men died in a 
gun battle on Thursday.

MONTREAL - A drug dispute between opposing Mafia factions probably led to a 
gunfight that killed two men and seriously injured another, police said 
yesterday.

The shootings occurred in the office of a construction company, and 15 
kilograms of marijuana was found in the basement of the building.

Detective Lieutenant Yvon Desrosiers said investigators are not certain if 
the two groups were meeting to discuss a drug deal that turned sour or if 
one group was committing a "burn," a gangland expression used when one 
group of criminals steals drugs from another.

"These men were related to the Italian Mafia," Det.-Lt. Desrosiers said. 
"What remains to be determined is what clan they belonged to."

Police estimate that eight to 10 people were inside the reception area of 
the company when the shooting began and that the men were split among rival 
factions of the Italian Mafia.

"There was an exchange [of gunfire] between the two clans," Det.-Lt. 
Desrosiers said. "Everybody appeared to have been armed."

The man injured in the shootout was reported to be in serious but stable 
condition yesterday. Police plan to question him when he is well enough.

The marijuana -- packed in plastic bags and ready for shipment -- was found 
inside the building. Police also seized $100,000 in cash and 11 different 
firearms, seven of which were stashed in the basement of the building along 
with the drugs.

The dead were identified as Francesco Veltri, 41, and David Belleville, 33.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens