Police arrest Montreal 'godfather'

Police arrested reputed Mafia boss Vito Rizzuto at his Montreal home early Tuesday morning, after he was linked to three murders in the United States 23 years ago.

Montreal police assisted American authorities in the arrest.

A police source told Radio-Canada that Rizzuto is being investigated in connection with the slayings of three high-ranking members of the Bonnano crime family in 1981.

American officials are expected to ask for his extradition.

Rizzuto has been called the "godfather" of the Montreal Mafia in RCMP reports and court documents related to past investigations. Authorities have said they consider him the most powerful Italian mobster in Canada.

Patrick Charette, a spokesperson for the Canadian justice department, said the arrest was made at the same time as 27 other arrests in New York City.

The arrest of 27 family members in New York City include the acting boss, eight captains or former captains and 13 soldiers of the Bonnano/Massino organized crime family.

Court documents show that one of those soldiers is Vito Rizutto, the most influential member of the Bonanno family in Canada.

"Mr. Rizzuto is wanted in the U.S. to stand trial for charge of racketeering conspiracy, based on acts of murder and conspiracy to commit murder," said Charette.

Rizzuto's extradition proceedings begin Tuesday afternoon in Quebec Superior Court in Montreal.

In 1972, Rizutto was sentenced to two years for conspiring to commit arson. He was charged in two drug investigations in the 1980s but was acquitted both times.

Two and a half years ago, Montreal police said they had foiled a plot to kill Rizzuto, charging three people.

If Rizutto is convicted in the United States he could face 27 years in prison.

With files from CBC News Online