OPP charge three Hells Angels bikers among 28 arrested in illegal gambling bust

Three Ontario Hells Angels bikers have been charged in a multi-million dollar offshore gambling enterprise that police say has links to mobsters in York Region.

The investigation originally also targeted Michael (Diaz) Deabaitua-Schulde, a Niagara Hells Angel who was murdered on March 11 after leaving a workout at a gym in a commercial plaza in Mississauga.

The complex gambling network was pulling in gross revenues of more than $131-million over a five-year span OPP Chief Supt. Paul Beesley said at a Thursday morning news conference. The network included the websites Ultimate SB, Titan SB, PlaytoWin WB, Privada SB and Players SB, Beesley said.

The gambling operation was linked to the Figliomeni Crime Family of York Region, some alleged members of which were charged in July by York Regional Police in a sweeping investigation called Project Sindicato, Beesley said.

The three full-patch Hells Angels who allegedly ran the off-shore operation are Robert Barletta, 49, a London, Ont. strip club owner; Craig (Truck) McIlquham, 49, of Oakville; and Eugenio (Gino) Reda, 55, of King City.

Barletta faces 11 charges, including illegal firearms possession, book making and commission of an offence for a criminal organization.

McIlquham was charged with a dozen offences, including possession of a restricted weapon, bookmaking and commission of an offence for a criminal organization.

Reda faces three bookmaking charges and another for commission of an offence for a criminal organization.


Canada - BNN.