https://www.corrieredellacalabria.i...ema-mafioso-lombardo-inizia-il-processo/the hydra investigation
The 'ndrangheta in the Lombard mafia system: the trial begins
The Calabrian clans allegedly set up 18 premises in the Milanese hinterland. First hearing on May 21st
Published: 24/04/2025 – 18:40
MILAN Everything is ready for the opening of what has already been defined as the next maxi-trial against organized crime. In Milan, in fact, on May 21 (and then 23 other dates until July 25) the first preliminary hearing will take place against the defendants in the “Hydra” investigation of the Milan Anti-Mafia District. In the dock, waiting to know their immediate judicial future, 143 defendants, all presumed members of that “Lombard mafia system” that the Milan DDA is sure to have discovered and dismantled, winning, in fact, a long tug of war with the investigating judge and the Review Court. The “monster” proceeding on which the investigating judge Emanuele Mancini is called to decide, will be held in the bunker courtroom of the Opera prison.
The investigation
A major investigation that aims to shed light on a criminal system that, in order to conquer a very rich territory, would have joined forces, creating the "Lombardy Mafia System" , being able to rely on families with criminal experiences behind them certified by arrests and final sentences, also making use of the classic force of intimidation deriving from the associative bond and the condition of subjugation and silence in the territory of the cities of Milan, Varese and surrounding areas.
hydra-lunch-milan
'Ndrangheta, in Milan the clans of Cirò, San Luca and Melito Porto Salvo in the “Lombardy mafia system”: 146 investigated – NAMES
18 'ndrangheta locations in Milan
The Calabrian 'ndrangheta, active in Milan and the Milanese hinterland for years now, is said to have managed to set up 18 premises: Bollate, Bresso, Ganzo, Cormano, Carsico, Desio, Erba, Legnano-Lonate Pozzolo, Limbiate, Mariano Comense, Milan, Pavia, Pioltello, Seregno and Solaro. All coordinated by a body called "La Lombardia", in which Cosimo Barranca, until 15 August 2007, then Carmelo Novella, until his murder on 14 July 2008 and, finally, Pasquale Zappia, until his arrest, played a leading role over time. "La Lombardia", therefore, is to all intents and purposes a body charged with granting "positions" and "qualities" to its members, according to pre-established hierarchies, and authorizing the opening of new "premises" and establishing the new strategies of the mafia association.
Calabrian families in Milan
The “Hydra” investigation, therefore, would have shed light first of all on the Legnano-Lonate Pozzolo club, considered allied and in any case connected to the Farao-Marincola gang of Cirò , represented in Milan, according to the DDA, by Vincenzo Rispoli, Massimo Rosi, Giacomo Cristello, Francesco Bellusci and Pasquale Filomeno Toscano. And then the Iamonte gang, part of the Desio club, allied with the Melito Porto Salvo gang and, finally, Antonio Romeo, an expression in Milan of the Romeo “Staccu” family operating in the San Luca area, son of Filippo Romeo. The Milan Anti-Mafia would have documented a series of crimes committed by members of the “Lombardy Mafia System”, including robberies, fraud, money laundering, fictitious registrations, false invoicing for non-existent transactions, transfers of false tax credits and extortion. The crime of drug trafficking was also contested. In particular, according to the accusation, the association aimed at drug trafficking would include Gioacchino Amico, Giuseppe Castiglia, Giuseppe Fiore, Pietro Mazzotta, Sergio Sanseverino, Giuseppe Sorce – all members of the “Senese” group and Massimo Rosi, of the 'ndrangheta local of Legnano-Lonate Pozzolo. ( g.curcio@corrierecal.it )
