Ottawa Arson Investigation Links to Notorious Crime Family

An arson incident at a bungalow in Nepean has drawn the attention of Ottawa police, who are probing potential connections to the infamous Alkhalil crime family. The fire erupted around 3:45 a.m. on October 8, at 95 Rossland Avenue, where firefighters found two individuals who had managed to escape the flames. Both victims were treated for burns and smoke inhalation.

Notably, just a few doors down from the site of the blaze is a property previously owned by Hisham "Terry" Alkhalil, a key figure in the crime family, who sold the house in 2021. However, law enforcement had previously apprehended an associate of the Alkhalil family hiding in that very residence in February 2022.

The current property under investigation is owned by a numbered company linked to Neveen Alkhalil, identified by police sources as a sister of the Alkhalil brothers. This company is registered at a townhouse in Kanata North that belongs to their parents.

Understanding the Alkhalil Crime Family

The Alkhalil family has established a notorious reputation across British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec, characterized by their involvement in organized crime, violence, and significant financial influence. The family's history is marked by tragedy; two of the five brothers were murdered in gang-related incidents in British Columbia during the early 2000s, while another was killed in Mexico in 2018. The youngest brother remains at large after escaping from federal custody while awaiting trial for murder.

The family's immigration to Canada occurred in 1990 when they arrived at Montréal-Mirabel International Airport seeking refugee protection. Patriarch Hossein Alkhalil fled Palestine during the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict and subsequently moved through Lebanon and Saudi Arabia before settling in Canada during the Gulf War with his wife Soumaya Azzam and their children.

Following the deaths of two brothers, the family relocated to Ottawa in 2004. In a significant police operation known as Project Anarchy in 2014, authorities seized over 24 kilograms of cocaine valued at approximately $12.5 million from Terry Alkhalil's home on Rossland Avenue, along with several firearms. Although charges against him were ultimately dropped due to delays in court proceedings, this marked a pivotal moment in law enforcement's ongoing battle against the family's criminal activities.

Connections to Other Criminal Activities

The following year saw further developments when RCMP arrested Damion Ryan, a Hells Angel associate connected to the Alkhalils, who was found hiding out in one of their former residences. This arrest was part of a broader investigation into an international drug smuggling operation linked to Mexican cartels.

The family’s criminal ties extend beyond local activities; Rabih Alkhalil, one of the brothers, is currently on Canada’s most wanted list after escaping from prison while facing multiple murder charges. Despite ongoing investigations and previous arrests, members of the Alkhalil family continue to maintain ownership of several properties throughout Ottawa.

As authorities delve deeper into this arson case and its potential ties to organized crime, they remain vigilant against the backdrop of an enduring conflict that has plagued Canadian cities for decades. The investigation continues as police work to uncover any further connections between this incident and the criminal undertakings associated with the Alkhalil family.