POLICE LINK GUN BATTLE TO DRUG DEAL

Montreal police technicians examine the crime scene where two men died in a
gun battle on Thursday.

MONTREAL - A drug dispute between opposing Mafia factions probably led to a
gunfight that killed two men and seriously injured another, police said
yesterday.

The shootings occurred in the office of a construction company, and 15
kilograms of marijuana was found in the basement of the building.

Detective Lieutenant Yvon Desrosiers said investigators are not certain if
the two groups were meeting to discuss a drug deal that turned sour or if
one group was committing a "burn," a gangland expression used when one
group of criminals steals drugs from another.

"These men were related to the Italian Mafia," Det.-Lt. Desrosiers said.
"What remains to be determined is what clan they belonged to."

Police estimate that eight to 10 people were inside the reception area of
the company when the shooting began and that the men were split among rival
factions of the Italian Mafia.

"There was an exchange [of gunfire] between the two clans," Det.-Lt.
Desrosiers said. "Everybody appeared to have been armed."

The man injured in the shootout was reported to be in serious but stable
condition yesterday. Police plan to question him when he is well enough.

The marijuana -- packed in plastic bags and ready for shipment -- was found
inside the building. Police also seized $100,000 in cash and 11 different
firearms, seven of which were stashed in the basement of the building along
with the drugs.

The dead were identified as Francesco Veltri, 41, and David Belleville, 33.