Enforcement notification - Operation Chrome: Joint CRA and RCMP investigation targeting organized crime in Montréal leads to tax charges

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Canada Revenue Agency

Sep 29, 2026, 14:45 ET

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 29, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced today that Franco Lopez, suspected leader of a criminal organization in Montréal, was charged on September 24, 2026, with tax evasion under the Income Tax Act (ITA). In addition, he was charged with failing to record important information in the books and records of corporations and trusts linked to the organization. Concetta Decia, an employee of the organization who is also charged in this matter, is charged with consenting to or acquiescing in that omission.

The criminal charges laid against Franco Lopez allege that, during the 2022, 2023, and 2024 taxation years, he failed to report taxable income totaling over $1 million. The funds generated by the criminal organization that Franco Lopez allegedly led, constituted taxable income that he failed to report to tax authorities. By failing to do so, he allegedly contravened the ITA and evaded the payment of more than $300,000 in taxes.

The charges also allege that Franco Lopez made, or directed the making of, false or deceptive entries in the books and records of corporations and trusts controlled by the criminal organization. Concetta Decia, an employee of the organization, is alleged to have participated in preparing or recording those entries. Certain important information, including expenses paid using illicit funds, was allegedly omitted from those records, thereby concealing certain financial activities of the organization.

In 2023, the CRA entered into a Joint Forces Operation (JFO) with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). This JFO brought together partners from the RCMP's Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU), the RCMP's Integrated Money Laundering Investigative Team (IMLIT), and the CRA's Criminal Investigations Program.

All case-specific allegations above were obtained from the court records.

"The CRA is proud to work alongside the RCMP to ensure that those who engage in criminal activity are identified and held accountable," said Eric Ferron, Director General of the CRA's Criminal Investigations Directorate. "Our shared commitment strengthens Canada's ability to combat non-compliance and complex financial crime."

In Canada, all income, including income derived from criminal activity, is taxable.

The CRA is committed to protecting Canada's tax base and takes appropriate action to address cases of deliberate non-compliance with Canada's tax laws by investigating tax-related offences. To support this mandate, the CRA works closely with a number of law enforcement agencies, including the RCMP, as well as provincial and local police services.

The CRA has set up a free subscription service to help Canadians stay current on the CRA's enforcement efforts.

Associated links

Criminal investigations at the Canada Revenue Agency
Tax evasion, understanding the consequences
Reporting suspected tax or benefit cheating in Canada  
Voluntary Disclosures Program

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Canada Revenue Agency
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Canada Revenue Agency