James William Awad – Sami El-Helou – update

Unreliable internet sources in Quebec said days ago that James William Awad is suing TVA News and QMI Media (Journal de Montréal / QUB) for defamation and the publication of false information that hurt his feelings and damaged his reputation. The lawsuit may have been filed upwards of a year ago.

Word this spring was that Awad was leaving Quebec one step ahead of cops. Multiple reports had him selling off assets in the Province. It’s a curious move bringing this kind of new attention through a ridiculous defamation claim. Awad was as Sinaloa Cartel dirty as they come as the point man for Sami El-Helou.

James William Awad (formerly Kevin Awad) was planning to skip to the United Arab Emirates. He bought $30m in real estate there. Awad moved his ‘Triple One’ to the UAE, sharing office space with Sami El-Helou.

Awad is a marked man in Montreal. The Rizzutos are said to be owed plenty, and they are watching the Sandher Crime Family to get their cut. Awad is prolific in the human trafficking trade. Its said Quebec authorities were and are about to pounce. Awad is by no means going broke, he’s always been a deadbeat. He moved his money offshore to escape creditors, including the Rizzutos.

James William Awad, also known as Kevin Awad, is the Canadian point man for Sami El-Helou. The US is close to filing an extradition request on him due to his involvement in the import/export of fentanyl/meth precursors.

Awad pretends to be a rapper (@RealJamesTonic). He does crypto laundering for the Sandher Crime Family. James William Awad billed himself as CEO of the now shuttered TripleOne in Montreal.

In 2020 he spewed “TripleOne allows users to build and manage business projects by suggesting ideas, voting on decisions, and completing tasks.” That was Awad’s improbable cover.

The company bought a 31,055 sq ft building in Saint-Laurent, purchased by 9021-8116 Québec Inc. in 2021. The holding company was headed by mafia connected Michael Perelshtein and Gianfranco Panarello. Awad’s first properties belonged to members of the Rizzuto family, and one of his gyms was in a building owned by a close Rizzuto associate.

Awad’s amazing good fortune didn’t last. In January 2022, at the height of covid, he gained wide exposure for his famous party flight to Mexico and his mysterious fortune. In 2023, his pizzeria was targeted by arson and he was busted for operating gyms without permits. He was nailed for illegal Airbnb rentals. In September 2023 a bailiff appeared at Awad’s door. He seized a Rolls-Royce and other equipment to ensure that the government was paid, which was done a month later. Awad sold his headquarters for $6.5m in June 2024. It was assessed at $3.7m. Sales taxes accounted for $973,375.


In April 16, 2025 it was reported Awad could lose his Bois-des-Filion castle due to unpaid bills owing to the contractor. An assessment says the two-story property, located on Place du Coteau, is worth nearly $1.8m

Le Journal reported that Awad had purchased 11 properties in Quebec since 2018, for a total of $17.3m. All were paid for in cash through numbered companies registered in Quebec and Delaware. In March 2025 Awad declared his intention to leave Canada permanently. He had better get out quickly, an extended stay in a US prison is coming for his filthy ass.

Sami El-Helou

A real estate rental company in Dubai is owned 50% by El-Helou and 50% by Sandher Family Trust. Elan Shoreline Holiday Home Rental was established in 2008. Sadaf 3, JBR, Elan Shoreline. https://elansuites.com contact@elansuites.com