Montreal Underworld in Turmoil as Mafia Boss and Hitman Engage in Open Warfare
– Montreal’s criminal landscape is being reshaped by a violent conflict between alleged mafia boss Atna Onha and hitman Frédérick Silva, a feud that has taken a surprising turn with Silva reportedly cooperating with police.
The escalating tensions between Onha and Silva have prompted an unusual shift in the dynamics of organized crime in Canada. According to reports, Silva, once a notorious figure in the underworld, is now working with authorities, a development that has left many within the criminal network looking over their shoulders.
Atna Onha, 40, has risen to prominence within Canadian organized crime over the past decade, described by law enforcement as a key figure in international cocaine trafficking with connections to major cartels. His arrest in November 2025, at the request of the FBI, brought increased scrutiny to his activities, as he now faces potential extradition to the United States on charges related to drug trafficking and murder. These charges stem from allegations that Onha commissioned the killing of Jonathan Acebedo Garcia in Colombia, reportedly on behalf of Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder turned international drug trafficker.
Frédérick Silva’s path to cooperation with police began after years of operating as a highly sought-after hitman. In June 2017, Silva became aware that authorities were closing in on him. He had just left a cinema in Laval with his family when he noticed a marked police vehicle approaching. A SWAT team was preparing to arrest him for the murder of Daniel Armando Somoza-Gildea, a Concordia University student, which had occurred the previous week.
Rather than surrender, Silva fled, abandoning his vehicle on Highway 440 in Laval and disappearing for months. During this period, he allegedly committed three more murders, including that of Sébastien Beauchamp, a former member of a Hells Angels support club, before finally being arrested on .
The turning point came in the summer of 2022, when Silva agreed to collaborate with police after conceding the Crown had sufficient evidence to convict him of four murders and the attempted murder of Montreal Mafia leader Salvatore Scoppa. The attempt on Scoppa’s life occurred on , in Terrebonne.
Silva’s decision to cooperate is reportedly a significant factor in the current investigation, which is targeting numerous figures in organized crime. He is expected to receive a record sum of over $3 million for his assistance.
The conflict between Onha and Silva initially manifested as a bounty being placed on Silva’s head, according to sources. This escalation prompted Silva to seek protection through cooperation with law enforcement.
The implications of this power struggle extend beyond the immediate conflict between Onha and Silva. The situation highlights the complex web of relationships within the Canadian underworld, involving not only the Mafia but also Hells Angels and other criminal groups. In 2024, a man who aided Silva in hiding after a murder pleaded guilty, further illustrating the network of support surrounding the hitman.
The ongoing investigation, fueled by Silva’s cooperation, is expected to reveal further details about the structure and operations of organized crime in Montreal and potentially lead to additional arrests. The case underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating sophisticated criminal networks and the potential for shifting alliances within the underworld.
