Italian police, FBI hit Palermo and New York mafia families
17 suspects detained in Italy and United States

(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 8 - Italy's State police and the FBI on Wednesday staged a series of operations to detain 17 people suspected of belonging to, or being linked to, mafia families active in Palermo and New York, sources said.
The suspects are accused of a variety of crimes, including mafia association and extortion.
Investigators said the probe that led to the arrests showed that the Gambino New York crime family continues to do business with Sicilian mobsters, especially Palermo's Torretta, Partinico and Borgetto clans.
They said they had uncovered evidence of American mafiosi getting 'training' from their Sicilian "cousins" in using a softer, less violent approach, which includes demanding smaller amounts from extortion victims so they are less likely to turn to the State for help.
The investigators said drug trafficking continues to be a business that links the crime families across the ocean. (ANSA).