Italian police arrest 43 people, including politicians, as 'Ndrangheta mafia continues to decline
Italian police, with the support of international law enforcement agencies around the world, continue their efforts to dismantle the criminal organization "Ndrangheta". The mafia organization tightly controls illegal gambling, illegal drugs and human trafficking worldwide. But the new arrests may help loosen that grip.
A major anti-Mafia operation in the southernmost region of Calabria, home to the 'Ndrangheta, has led to the arrests of 43 people by Italian law enforcement authorities. The Gendarmerie issued a statement on Tuesday claiming those arrested had links to the notorious gang.
Many of those arrested face charges ranging from fraud, extortion, bribery and murder, which have landed them in jail. Police have arrested more than 400 people with suspected links to the 'Ndrangheta since last year.
No limit on mob range
Italian media reported that some politicians in Calabria were also involved in the network. These politicians are suspected of being involved in electoral manipulation for the benefit of the Mafia. Investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of their involvement.
Those involved in Tuesday's operation have been under surveillance since 2018. Authorities then focused on identifying the assets of those arrested and investigating their political and economic ties.
One of the politicians now inadvertently thrust into the spotlight is the former governor of Calabria, Gerardo Mario Oliverio. He was joined by officials and mayors from the region, Spanish news agency EFE reported.
While police in Calabria arrested the suspects, another operation was carried out in Milan. There, authorities arrested 30 suspected 'Ndrangheta associates who are accused of helping manage the Mafia's illegal arms and drugs trade in Latin America.
Given the high number of arrests, the investigation into 'Ndrangheta activities continues. More arrests are likely ahead of the closure.
In addition to controlling illegal gambling and other illegal activities, the mob also operates in the legal sector. Italian police reported that they were targeting real estate, catering, fruit and vegetable sales, and livestock transactions in connection with the recent arrests.
“The ‘Ndrangheta lost ground but still lived
The 'Ndrangheta has been operating for more than 60 years and is considered one of the most dangerous and powerful mafia groups. It probably started in the Calabria region of southern Italy, but quickly spread to other parts of Italy and the rest of the world.
The criminal organization's revenue is estimated at 3.5 to 40 billion euros ($3.831 to 43.78 billion) per year. Like other mafia organizations around the world, it remains strong and continues to grow by maintaining blood ties. Authorities currently assume membership numbers range from 4,000 to 5,000. This would make them one of the largest and most organized mafias in the world.
However, even criminal organizations cannot consider themselves too big to fail. The growing focus on 'Ndrangheta activities is damaging its integrity and leading to its collapse.
In addition to the arrests, Italy's Central Narcotics Control Bureau recently announced a record number of cocaine seizures last year. More than 26 tons of cargo from South America were confiscated along 'Ndrangheta-controlled routes. The money has a market value of about $2 billion, and the losses will surely fall on the wallet-bearing mob.
Despite the repression, the 'Ndrangheta remained strong. As long as it continues to find ways to bribe officials and bribe private sector workers to look the other way, stopping it will not be easy.
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Source: www.casino.org
