The 'Ndrangheta in the crosshairs of the Italian justice system
December 08, 2022
In addition to the mega trial in Palermo against the Cosa Nostra, in 2021 the Italian judiciary started proceedings against more than 400 suspects associated with the 'Ndrangheta. But this mighty mafia is far from finished!

Proven research methods

The investigators first focused on a so-called cosca or 'ndrina family, about which they collected a lot of information about its members and activities and drew up an organizational chart. The statements of the rare regret optants (pentiti) within the 'Ndrangheta were used. Based on this, they conducted telephone taps and financial investigations.
These studies have confirmed the previously gathered knowledge about this organization and at the same time provided new insights.


An incredible growth

The 'Ndrangheta is no longer the rural organization of the sixties. Its strength comes from the mixture of conservatism and innovation. She is organizationally very closed, but at the same time open to the world when it comes to criminal activities.
The organization is active in a dozen Italian regions and is said to be the only one with branches on all continents, in particular in South America, Europe, Australia and now also in Asia.

Wherever she is active she uses the same modus operandi and organizational model: a network of more or less autonomous families with networks of accomplices in different institutions. It does not hesitate to join other criminal organizations such as the South American cartels or Albanian groups.


Variety of criminal activities

The 'Ndrangheta is suspected to have privileged ties to drug cartels, giving it a very dominant position in the cocaine trade in Europe. However, this position is reportedly weakened in favor of numerous new players, such as the increasingly active Moroccan criminal organizations.

In addition, it has not given up on extortionate lending fostered by the economic crisis that many small businesses suffered during the pandemic. In the absence of interest payments, which often exceed 100%, she does not hesitate to take control of companies that extort from them (il pizzo). These companies are then used for money laundering or as a weapons storage facility. If the manager or director keeps his job, he is just a stooge.

In contrast to Cosa Nostra, it acts rather hidden, commits fewer murders and, above all, avoids direct confrontation with the state as much as possible. With the profits from the drug trade, she can bribe officials, place pawns in government departments and persuade her victims to vote for the candidates they support (vote swapping). For example, in the above-mentioned trial trade unionists, police officers, magistrates and elected officials are on trial.

There are no concrete figures, but it is estimated that she earns several billion euros a year that are reinvested in the legal economy, such as in hotels or vineyards abroad. It also acquires many properties at low prices through "mafia expropriation" based on threats.
It also meddles in public procurement by charging 3 to 5% to the successful bidders. The Italian judiciary says that they encounter "white collars" everywhere when they investigate the 'Ndrangheta.
The money laundered by the 'Ndrangheta mainly comes from the cocaine that enters Italy via the ports of Genoa, Livorno and Gioia Tauro, but also via Rotterdam and Antwerp.


Not an easy battle

Despite this extensive process, it seems difficult for the Italian judiciary to fight the 'Ndrangheta, the least prosecuted mafia organization.

It is believed to have about 7,000 members, probably a gross underestimation, in addition to a slew of accomplices. Its members are closely linked by blood, which partly explains the few regrets. However, it is mainly the "employees of justice" who have made it possible to achieve great successes against Cosa Nostra.

She does not shy away from bribery to protect herself and knows how to use the loopholes in the legislation. For example, it invests in countries where the legislation is more flexible in certain respects than in Italy (Spain, Switzerland or Belgium). It is generally underestimated in Europe and coordination and international legal assistance need to be improved.
Extradition to the Italian judiciary often encounters procedural obstacles.

Investigators are now confronted with "white collar and suit" criminals with great economic and political clout. Many of the children of members of the 'Ndrangheta have gone to the world's top universities.