STATUS OF PIZZA GIGI IN LIMBO UNDER RESTRAINT ORDER

Accused of being a drug dealer, Toronto pizzeria proprietor Salvatore
Crimi is still free to sell his hot, famously tasty slices from his
landmark outlet in the heart of the university district, but the
building itself is in the deep freeze: Under proceeds-of-crime
legislation, police have obtained a restraint order prohibiting it
from being sold or re-mortgaged.

Mr. Crimi, 57, was arrested in February and slapped with 15
drug-related charges after police raided Pizza Gigi on Harbord Street,
east of Bathurst Street, and allegedly discovered a $1-million
smorgasbord of illicit drugs: Crack cocaine, Oxycocet, OxyContin, MDMA
(ecstasy) and a large quantity of marijuana. Several thousand dollars
in cash were also allegedly found.

Mr. Crimi has denied all wrongdoing and his case remains before the
courts. Until it's dealt with, Pizza Gigi's status remains in limbo
under a restraint order issued by Superior Court on Tuesday night
under authority of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

"There's been no decision with respect to exclusive possession, and
certainly the order allows him to have access to the property," said
Detective Richard MacCheyne of the Toronto Police asset-forfeiture
unit, working in tandem with investigators from 14 Division.

But there was no sign of business during the Thursday lunch hour,
usually a busy time. Pizza Gigi's doors were locked and the telephone
rang unanswered.

Pizza Gigi is across the street from the Central Technical School, and
has been serving pizza for more than 30 years. The restaurant's
interior was renovated after the charges were laid, and it has long
had a loyal following with the university crowd.

It has also been voted one of the city's Top 5 pizza joints by readers
of the weekly Now Magazine. After Mr. Crimi was charged, an ad hoc
website was created in support of Pizza Gigi and a buzz of comment on
Twitter lamented its owner's legal troubles.

The restraint order means police will be seeking forfeiture of the
pizzeria if Mr. Crimi is convicted, on grounds that it is what is
termed "offence-related property."

Many houses have been forfeited in this way because they contained
marijuana grow-ops, but it is relatively unusual for commercial
premises to be targeted.