‘Ndrangheta crime boss Ursino guilty of cocaine trafficking for criminal organization

Giuseppe Ursino was found guilty of trafficking cocaine, trafficking cocaine related to a criminal organization, possession of property directly or indirectly related to an indictable offence, conspiracy to import cocaine and conspiracy to import cocaine related to a criminal organization. The jury also found Cosmin (Chris) Dracea, 41, guilty of cocaine trafficking. The prosecution marked the first time in Canada the ’Ndrangheta has been targeted as an organized crime group since the offence of criminal organization came into effect in 1997.

A witness described Cosimo Commisso, Frank Murdoca, Peter Scarcella, Carmine Verduci, Gianfranco Caputo, Salvatore (Sam) Calautti, Antonio and Giuseppe Coluccio and Vince Mora as members or associates of the ‘Ndrangheta. Court heard of characters with nicknames such as “The Chosen One” for a senior boss, and “Frank Crutches” for a lesser boss whose legs were crushed in a car accident as a teenager. Another member was just called “the guy with the coffee truck” by star Crown witness Carmine Guido. Guido, 47, is a self-described ‘Ndrangheta associate and wise guy who agreed to work as a police agent for $2.4 million in a operation between 2013 and 2015 called Project OPhoenix.