Among the facts "sung" by the last repentants of the Cosenza 'ndrangheta and even by the repentant Roberto Porcaro, one of the most relevant is that concerning the role of the Cosenza mafia in the regional scene. The repentants already explained it before Porcaro sang: « Michele Di Puppo is after Francesco Patitucci the most important criminal reference of the Cosenza 'Ndrangheta organization.
It was only thanks to his criminal charisma, his links with exponents of the 'Ndrangheta of Rosarno and the consideration they had for him, that it was possible to resume certain 'Ndrangheta issues regarding affiliations and the reopening of a "local" in Cosenza".
And of course, because due to the many repentances recorded in the last 20 years, the people of Cosenza were viewed with skepticism by the 'Ndrangheta supporters of Reggio. And the fact that Michele Di Puppo's climb had reached a very high level was no longer news.

Germafia. How the Mafia is taking over Germany. Reading with Sandro Mattioli
30/05/2024 | Haus der EKD
Pluralist democracy is being attacked from different directions. The Italian mafia is one of the anti-democratic forces. Prosecutors speak of several thousand mafiosi active in Germany.

Investigative journalist and author Sandro Mattioli reads from his new book "Germafia. How the Mafia is taking over Germany" and reports on his research into mafia activities in Germany.

The Italian mafia sees Germany as prey and is trying to infiltrate democratic structures. The Calabrian 'Ndrangheta is the organization that takes the most strategic approach. The German state is hardly doing anything about it.

Why is that? Mattioli reports in detail and vividly about his research, about intimidation and mafia activities in German institutions and in areas where one would never have suspected it before.

https://www.visitberlin.de/en/event/germafia-how-mafia-taking-over-germany-reading-sandro-mattioli

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13434317/Miss-World-Slovakia-Prime-Ministers-mafia.html

Former Miss World contestant who became Slovakian Prime Minister's 'chief state adviser' was intimately tied to his downfall over mafia scandal in 2018

https://www.dw.com/en/italy-police-arrest-over-100-mafia-members-in-mass-raid/a-69079112

Italy: Police arrest over 100 mafia members in mass raid

https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/ne...le/ar-BB1mEkcD?ocid=weather-verthp-feeds

Al Pacino Returns to the Gangster Genre With New Mafia Boss Role

I think most people don't realize that Uomini d'onore run Italy and the Octopus tentacles reach all over Europe.
I mean governments level.

'Ndrangheta: maxi raid in Cosenza, no suspect responds to investigating judge
May 21, 2024
The GIP's decision on the precautionary measures of most of the suspects who ended up in the maxiblitz of recent days, which involved 142 people belonging to and close to the Cosentino clans, is awaited. The guarantee interviews took place in recent days and continued today. Almost everyone always made use of the right not to respond and only someone made spontaneous statements without answering the GIP's questions.

Among these, a financier, Enrico Dattis , also ended up in the investigators' network and was suspended from public service.

https://www.antimafiaduemila.com/ho...enza-nessun-indagato-risponde-a-gip.html

'ndrangheta, Pasquale Bonavota «erede del clan di Sant’Onofrio». Dalla “mentalità malandrina” alla lunga latitanza
https://www.corrieredellacalabria.i...ntalita-malandrina-alla-lunga-latitanza/

CRIME GERMANY
Gangster Hunt - Police Battle the Mafia
05/23/2024May 23, 2024
Germany is a place where the mafia feels at home - that hasn’t changed. But the police have become more vigilant. Security authorities’ attentions are now focused on the Calabrian mafia in particular, the 'Ndrangheta.

There’s been a noticeable increase in large-scale police operations against the clans from southern Italy in recent years. Although the mafia remains undefeated so far, these operations are an important step in the right direction.

The film documents how the police have honed their tactics against a global criminal organization dominating the cocaine trade, from the first secret operation in Thuringia in 2002 (Operation "Fido"), through "Pollino" (2018) to the major offensive "Eureka" (2023).

What do investigators in Germany, Italy and at Europol need for a successful battle against the mafia? This is where the judiciary comes into play; in Germany, membership in the mafia isn’t prosecutable without evidence of an actual crime.

But the film also shows the mafia committee of inquiry in Thuringia, where politicians engage with the ‘Ndrangheta phenomenon for the first time - and fail to make any headway. This is because unlike the police, a parliamentary committee of inquiry can’t investigate beyond state borders. Nevertheless, the committee’s work is a crucial factor in also raising public awareness of the mafia problem. And this is important, as Germany is still very much a mafia nation. 'Ndrangheta continues to thrive in a place where laws remain lax, controls are few and society is still relatively blind to the issue.


Broadcasting Hours:
DW English

SUN 02.06.2024 – 00:02 UTC
SUN 02.06.2024 – 03:30 UTC
SUN 02.06.2024 – 14:30 UTC
MON 03.06.2024 – 01:15 UTC
MON 03.06.2024 – 05:02 UTC
MON 03.06.2024 – 22:30 UTC
TUE 04.06.2024 – 07:30 UTC
WED 05.06.2024 – 17:30 UTC

Lagos UTC +1 | Cape Town UTC +2 | Nairobi UTC +3
Delhi UTC +5,5 I Bangkok UTC +7 | Hong Kong UTC +8
London UTC +1 | Berlin UTC +2 | Moscow UTC +3
San Francisco UTC -7 | Edmonton UTC -7 | New York UTC -4

https://www.dw.com/en/gangster-hunt-police-battle-the-mafia/a-68992186

'Ndrangheta: Vibo police headquarters prohibits public funeral for boss Leoluca Lo Bianco
AMTwo thousand May 25, 2024
There will be no public funeral for Leoluca Lo Bianco , 64 years old, from Vibo Valentia, known as " U Rozzu ", considered a leading exponent of the clan of the same name which has its base of operations in the provincial capital city. It was the Vibo Valentia Police Headquarters that prohibited funerals for reasons of public order and safety. Leoluca Lo Bianco, also sentenced on appeal to 12 years of imprisonment in the trial resulting from the Scott Rebirth operation (shortened trial), died at the Jazzolino hospital in Vibo. After being arrested in the maxi-operation that took place in December 2019, in June 2021 he was placed under house arrest for health reasons. Previously he had served a sentence of 4 years and 8 months in prison for mafia association which was remedied at the end of the anti-mafia operation called " Nuova Alba ". The collaborator of justice Bartolomeo Arena had recently made statements regarding Leoluca Lo Bianco, placing him among the most influential and dangerous figures of the Lo Bianco clan, capable of creating tensions and conflicts within the gang itself and maintaining at the same time privileged relationships with the boss Diego Mancuso of Limbadi, as emerged in the anti-mafia operation called Olimpo.

https://www.antimafiaduemila.com/ho...blici-per-il-boss-leoluca-lo-bianco.html

Reggio Calabria, severe blow to the 'Ndrangheta gang of Arangea: 12 arrests, the clan managed the Bergamot business

The activity then recorded the continuation of the conduct of the suspects, already definitively convicted for the crime of mafia association


On the morning of today 27 May, the Carabinieri of the Provincial Command of Reggio Calabria , with the help of the Heliborne Squadron "Hunters" Calabria, at the conclusion of investigations coordinated by the Public Prosecutor's Office of Reggio Calabria - District Anti-Mafia Directorate, directed by the Prosecutor Giovanni Bombardieri , have implemented, as part of the operation called "Arangea ", an order for the application of precautionary measures in prison against 11 people and one under house arrest , suspected, in various capacities, at the stage of the proceedings of preliminary investigations and subject to various evaluations in the subsequent phases, of the crimes of mafia association, extortion, fictitious registration of goods and weapons.

The investigations, conducted by the Investigative Unit of the Provincial Command of Reggio Calabria under the directives of the Public Prosecutor's Office, carried out both with classic investigative techniques, but also with the most modern interception tools, have made it possible to reconstruct the dynamics and structures of the articulation of ndrangheta headed by the " locale " operating in the territory of the Arangea district , reconstructing the imposition of control of the territory and a widespread extortion system as well as the hidden management of various economic enterprises . In the same way, the internal reorganization dynamics activated to fill the power gaps caused by the arrest of top management elements during the period of activity were reconstructed.

The reorganization phases find perfect adherence to the ' Ndrangheta system already emerged in the Crime investigation , in whose sentence the definition of " locale " and " doti " is reported , as well as the existence of the so-called " new bank ", a term with which the leaders of the ndrangheta intended the reorganization of the positions within the club .

The data in question is currently found in this investigation and more specifically when the arrested Demetrio Palumbo intended to carry out this reorganization within the Arangea premises involving Sebastiano Praticò , already definitively convicted in the " Crime " trial, where he was recognized as a participant in the gang operating in the southern area of ??Reggio Calabria and held a provincial-level position as representative of the Reggio Calabria district.

'Ndrangheta in Lombardy: 30 arrests for drugs, extortion and usury

Operation by the state police, coordinated by the Milan anti-mafia district directorate. Two associations dismantled

Anti-mafia and anti-drug operation in Lombardy. The state police, coordinated by the Milan anti-mafia district directorate, carried out 30 precautionary custody orders - 25 in prison and five under house arrest - between Lombardy, Piedmont and Calabria. According to investigators, two organizations linked to the 'Ndrangheta based in the Como area were dismantled. Forty people are under investigation, including several residents between Milan and the hinterland. Among those arrested also a resident of Cernusco sul Naviglio and one of Nerviano.

The alleged crimes are various: criminal association aimed at drug trafficking with the aggravating circumstance of armed association, usury, extortion with the aggravating circumstance of the mafia method, self-laundering linked to the reuse of the proceeds of drug dealing for the purchase of premises and financing of companies . And, again, fictitious registration, undue receipt of public funds in relation to obtaining mortgages through guarantee funds with the presentation of false documentation.

A dense network structured hierarchically in which everyone had a specific role, from the top to the delivery boys. A criminal syndicate where hashish, cocaine and marijuana were supplied, packaged and placed on the market. It is a precise system aimed at evading controls especially in transport.

https://www.lacnews24.it/cronaca/la...a-vista-non-si-devono-avvicinare_190824/

The 'Ndrangheta war comes close to Lake Como due to conflicts over drugs: "Let's shoot them on sight, they shouldn't come close"

he clash in the Erba area between the "Crotonesi" and the people of Reggio for the division of shares in the cocaine market. The race to find weapons and ammunition to prepare for the feud before the intervention of the Varca clan and peace in the name of business. The story in the Milan DDA investigation
On that branch of Lake Como a 'Ndrangheta war came close . The clans no longer shoot, especially their northern offshoots. Drug deals, however, still risk sparking feuds. Opposite there are two clubs: Erba and Canzo, divided by interests in the drug business .

The investigation by the Milan DDA which led to the arrest of 30 people in recent days highlights the tensions between the two groups: on the one hand there is Vincenzo Milazzo , defined by the investigators as the "operational arm" of Luigi Vona , born in Roccabernarda 71 years ago and already head of the Canzo club (returned from almost 10 years in prison for Operation Infinito and arrested again last Tuesday); on the other Michele “U repentitu” Oppedisano , 55 years old, and Pasquale Oppedisano , 25 years old, both originally from the Gioia Tauro plain. Milazzo wants to manage the deal on his own: he explains to the boss that «the proposal of the "erbesi", and of Pasquale Oppedisano in particular, is inadmissible because he, after 7 years of "hard work", is not willing to give up "shares of the market" . The conversation takes place after a summit (the one on March 8, 2020): there will be several to iron out differences.
The proposal to which Milazzo refers comes from Michele Oppedisano and aims at a clear division of the territory: «You stay on this side and we stay over there... and you no longer give anything to Erba... get as far as Segrino because we're here in Erba ." These are the phrases that risk triggering war. Milazzo is not willing to give up anything: «If I have to share my loaf I'll share it with Leonardo ( Potenza, another collaborator of the boss, ed. ) and Luigi ( Vona, ed. ) but I told him I don't care about the others outside ». Potenza goes further: he defines Oppedisano as «"nothing” compared to Vona and the other important affiliates of Erba» and hypothesizes radical solutions to the disagreements: « But let's shoot them on sight, we won't let them get close to the lake ».

These are not empty threats: the magistrates of the DDA of Milan highlight "how the increase in the conflicts that arose between the two criminal groups over the territorial division of the drug dealing areas had led to an alarming search for weapons and ammunition by the criminal association". While Milazzo and Potenza have a "hostile and rigid" attitude, Vona, as an old boss, tries to mediate and "defuse the discontent of his associates". One of the conflicts revolves around the supply of two kilograms of hashish requested by Oppedisano from the Vona group: the deal does not go well and Milazzo is worried "about possible retaliatory actions on the part of the Erba club". He asks Vona " should we expect any pranks?" » and he replies «I don't even trust myself, but I don't believe so». Leonardo Potenza's advice, however, is eloquent: "Yes, bring the gun... because he expects it."
Even Vona at a certain point becomes impatient « due to the continuous complaints of the “Calabrians” of Erba », so much so that he urges Milazzo to summon them again: «He told me to make an appointment so that he, who has broken his ass, has to see them !». Milazzo's other concern is "that the Oppedisano group could sell him to the police to get him out of the way ." «The only thing that can worry me is that I don't know how much pieces of shit people can be, a call to the police... do you understand anything? That's the only thing that worries me... even just to say okay then nothing to us, nothing to everyone."

What can fix things before tensions explode is an external intervention. A meeting in Valbrona, in the province of Como, sees the participation of the Varca family , who have always played a leading role in mafia issues in Erba. Characters linked to the Crotone 'ndrine sit at the table with the Oppedisano, Milazzo and Potenza families. Only Vona is missing, subject to special surveillance: his presence could attract the police who, in reality, monitor everything. The escalation stops and leaves room for an agreement on the division of the market . In the name of money, the two factions put aside warlike intentions and peace returns to the lake: the best possible condition for making money.

https://www.lacnews24.it/cronaca/i-...-il-processo-per-44-persone-nomi_191000/

RFI contracts infiltrated by the 'ndrangheta: trial requested for entrepreneurs who recruited workers in "Saudi Calabria". NAMES | There are 44 defendants, Ventura Costruzioni involved. According to the DDA of Milan, there are clans behind the recruitment of low-cost labor for maintenance. The prosecutor also requested the indictment of the alleged knuckleheads linked to the Arena and Nicoscia gangs
The public prosecutor of the DDA of Milan, Bruna Albertini, has requested the indictment of 44 people and nine companies , all, in various capacities, accused in a major investigation involving, in an alleged criminal association aggravated by the mafia, the large contracting companies of the Italian railway network , entrepreneurs and the Aloisio-Giardino group from Cutria. There is a large slice of Calabria in this investigation which involves well-known entrepreneurs originally from the Tyrrhenian Cosentino and knuckleheads attributable, according to the prosecution, to the Arena and Nicoscia gangs of Isola Capo Rizzuto . Satellite companies, resembling the mafia, would orbit around the large companies, with the task, among other things, of recruiting low-cost labor from "Saudi Calabria", as the region was defined in an intercept. But let's proceed in order.

Postponement request for 44 people
An indictment has been requested for Alfonso Aloisio , 36 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto; Antonio Aloisio , 47 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto; Francesco Aloisio , 42 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto ; Maurizio Aloisio , 55 years old, born in Crotone and resident in the Varese area; Maurizio Aloisio , 45 years old, from Isola and resident in the Varese area; Francesco Catizzone , 33 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto; Andrea Cenedese , 42 years old, from Trevisto; Luigi Cenedese , 72 years old, from Treviso; Francesco Ferraro , 41 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto; Pasqualino Geraldi , 31 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto; Alfonso Giardino , 48 years old, from Isola and resident in the province of Verona; Domenico Giardino , 67 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto; Domenico Giardino , 40 years old, from Crotone, resident in Verona; Marco Giardino , 29 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto; Stefano Giardino , 35 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto; Vincenzo Giardino , 37 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto and resident in the province of Verona; Federico Giudici , 72 years old, from Malengo(Bs); Mario Pasquale La Porta , 38 years old, from Crotone and resident in Genoa; Angelo Mancuso , 43 years old, from Crotone, resident in the Varese area; Santo Manoli , 70 years old, from Regalbuto(En); Antonio Marchio , 52 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto; Rosario Morelli , 80 years old, from Trepuzzi(The); Gianluigi Petrocca , 31 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto; Nicola Pittella , 43 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto; Carmine Pizzimenti , 30 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto; Giuseppe Ranieri , 42 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto; Maria Riillo , 33 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto; Domenico Riillo , 38 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto; Roberto Riillo , 28 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto; Alessandro Rossi , 63 years old, from Rome; Edoardo Rossi , 61 years old, from Rome; Luigi Taverna , 28 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto; Leonardo Taverna , 32 years old, from Isola Capo Rizzuto; Tiziano Tolli , 51 years old, from Tagliacozzo(Aq); Maria Antonietta Ventura , 56 years old, resident in San Lucido(Cs); Pietro Ventura , 58 years old, resident in Rome; Leonardo Villirillo , 57 years old, from Crotone; Simone Camponeschi , 51 years old, from Rome; Enrico Peola , 54 years old, from Alassio(Sv); Giuseppe Nicolini , 54 years old, Formigine(Mo); Vittorio De Rosa , 71 years old, from Caserta; Marcella Ventura , 57 years old, from Lecce ; Alessandra Ventura , 60 years old, from Lecce; Marcello De Pascalis , 57 years old, from Mastrano(The).

Three quintals of cocaine hidden among the pellets: a 40-year-old arrested

https://www.unionesarda.it/en/italy...-pellets-a-40-year-old-arrested-aliu1y8g

https://www.reggiotoday.it/cronaca/ndrangheta-porto-gioia-tauro-traffico-droga-contrasto.html

The port of Gioia Tauro is decisive for drug trafficking: law enforcement activities and new routes
In recent months the police and the Financial Police have identified and seized loads of cocaine, worth several tens of millions of euros, with investigative developments of national and international interest
The 'ndrangheta does business with South American narcos but not only. From the activity to combat drug trafficking at the Port of Gioia Tauro, which in recent months has led to the identification and seizure of loads of drugs, in particular of the cocaine type, worth several tens of millions of euros, here new investigative developments of national and international interest emerge.

The 'Ndrangheta cliques are increasingly developing, taking root in China, Central America and Africa.

It is a clear picture that emerges from the latest seizures in the port of Gioia Tauro which continues to play a decisive role in drug trafficking.

The financiers of the provincial command of Reggio Calabria explain it well, recalling the latest operations: "In this context we represent the importance of the recent record seizure of cocaine which took place in Candidoni (RC), carried out by the carabinieri of the Gioia Tauro company which , supported by the soldiers of the "Calabria" heliborne hunting squadron, during the search operations, inside and near a shed, they found, cleverly hidden in numerous bags containing pellet fuel, 266 blocks of cocaine, for a total weight of approximately 285 kg, for a total estimated value of almost 23 million euros.
This latest seizure is among the most important ones carried out in recent years by investigators in the Gioia Tauro plain, which adds to other important operations conducted and carried out by the command of the Guardia di Finanza in the months just passed, when they were identified at inside a container 150 kilos of cocaine, found inside 5 bags of different sizes, in turn placed inside the Medu container 1898793, coming from China.

In this particular circumstance it was an important seizure which has redesigned the mapping of international drug trafficking which aims to find new channels to try, in vain, to overcome the detailed and detailed controls put in place by the forces of law and order, specifically by the investigators of the Financial Police.

The attempt to try to evade controls also failed in the case of the large-scale seizure of drugs, once again of cocaine, which occurred in May, when the drugs had been hidden inside fake bananas. In this last circumstance, the financiers of the provincial command of Reggio Calabria, as a result of complex investigations directed and coordinated by the public prosecutor's office of Reggio Calabria, have implemented a seizure order of over 250 kilos of cocaine, found inside a container from the port of Gioia Tauro coming from Ecuador.
These important discoveries of narcotic substances are chronologically the latest to occur inside the Port of Gioia Tauro, where in May 2023 a record seizure of 1,500 kilos of cocaine from West Africa took place, another channel through which attempts were made to circumvent the investigations.

Through the investigations, following the seizures of narcotics, the new routes of the South American narcos are being traced which, together with the 'Ndrangheta cliques, are increasingly developing and taking root in China, Central America and Africa.

The controls against organized crime do not stop, - highlights the provincial command of the Financial Police - with particular attention to some 'Ndrangheta families historically inserted and firmly in command in the global cocaine trafficking market".

“If you make one mistake, you're dead”: undercover agent (40) testifies about infiltration into drug mafia
In an interview, a 40-year-old undercover agent opened up about Operation Eureka, one of the largest drug investigations ever in our country. The operation led to the arrest in Belgium of the infamous criminal Lucio Aquino (62) from Maasmechelen, the Genk pizza baker Marcello N. (57) and several other 'Ndrangheta suspects.

HR 05-06-24, 15:05 Last update: 15:58
LOOK. Lucio Aquino (62) was arrested in our country during operation 'Eureka'

The secret agent - codename Giorgio - is a 40-year-old employee of the Italian Carabinieri, and tells his story in ' Quotidiano Nazionale '. He says that for Operation Eureka he worked for three years with another undercover, who was employed by the Belgian federal police.

The investigation led to thirteen arrests in our country and more than a hundred worldwide. Tons of cocaine were seized and millions of euros worth of drug money was intercepted.

“The Belgian colleague took care of the infiltration phase abroad by frequenting the same places as the people we wanted to approach. "He became a trusted presence and was eventually approached by the criminals themselves," the Italian explains. According to the man, it took a year for them to infiltrate.

Belgian colleague
He suggests that the Belgian undercover agent was also active on Italian soil. “Italian law allows a foreign undercover agent to operate in Italy, together with an Italian.”

The two infiltrated a drug clan that shipped cocaine from South America to European ports for three years, between the summer of 2019 and the spring of 2022.

Suitcases full of cash
The agent's role was to “coordinate operations to transfer millions of dollars from narco traffickers,” he said. “I have seen suitcases full of cash pass before my eyes, up to a million at a time. The world of international drug trafficking is based on moving enormous amounts of money. These are necessary to finance imports, guarantee the departure of the drugs from the ports and enable retail sales.”

The investigation revealed links between the Italian mafia and the Colombian cartel Clan del Golfo, but the agents also discovered an arms trade from Pakistan to a Brazilian cartel. In addition, tons of cocaine were discovered and a turnover of millions was detected.

Swimming in the sea
Gaining the trust of criminals was not always easy. “Once they took us for a swim in the sea. Only when we were some distance from the coast and were sure that we had no technical equipment with us did they start the conversation they wanted to have.”

For an undercover it is important to always “think clearly, stay cool and be morally incorruptible”. “It is not uncommon to find yourself in difficult situations where one wrong move can jeopardize the investigation and put your life at risk. If you make one mistake, you're dead.”

Little contact with family
During all this time, the man had little contact with his family. “Contacts were extremely limited for safety reasons. My superiors were in contact with my family and provided assistance where necessary. It was a necessary sacrifice for the success of the operation and ensuring my safety and theirs.”

https://www.hln.be/nieuws/als-je-een-fout-maakt-ben-je-dood-undercoveragent-40-getuigt-over-infiltratie-in-drugsmaffia~a26c19f6/

Wow Di Puppo confesses to his crimes but without making accusations against their accomplices.

The dissociation of Michele Di Puppo from the 'ndrangheta, formalized yesterday before the judges of the Review as part of the "Recovery" investigation , brings to the fore the theme of a long-standing and thirty-year-old debate: is it right or not to grant a special mitigating circumstance - and therefore a reduced sentence - for those mafiosi who confess to the crimes they have committed without making accusations against their accomplices?

https://www.cosenzachannel.it/2024/06/07/ndrangheta-cosenza-dissociazione-processo-garden/

Blitz against the 'ndrangheta in Turin: eight arrests

Since the first light of dawn in Turin and its province, a maxi-police operation has been underway in execution of a precautionary custody order against eight people held responsible, in various capacities, for extortion, kidnapping, private violence, possession and possession of a common firearm and personal injury, aggravated by the mafia method . The precautionary custody order was issued by the investigating judge of the Court of Turin, upon request from the local Public Prosecutor's Office - District Anti-Mafia Directorate. Among the people arrested there is also Giacomo Lo Surdo , who already ended up in handcuffs in the "Minotauro" operation and accused of extortion with the mafia as an aggravating factor. A well-known figure in the Turin 'Ndrangheta scene and former leader of the Juventus organized support group "Arditi ". All those arrested are now in prison in Turin. In the Prosecutor's Office, the case was entrusted to the deputy prosecutor Manuela Pedrotta .

Arrests carried out after an investigation by the Investigative Section of Turin against Francesco Ferrara, 48 years old from Rosta, "king of the Christmas markets" and also active in the coffee sector and in the organization of large food and wine events , owner of numerous business. The investigations revealed that he was closely associated with leading elements of the Turin 'Ndrangheta. Ferrara, protected by top exponents of organized crime, exercised strong intimidation towards his collaborators, creditors and debtors which often culminated in violent acts and threats , choosing the most suitable "friends" based on the victim's profile. One of the most striking episodes, towards a former collaborator, who had requested through legal action the payment of 20 thousand euros in commissions for the activity carried out. A real ambush was organized against him to force him to give up legal action. The victim was beaten and threatened with a rope around his neck and deprived of personal freedom. Similar mafia methods were used to force other victims to comply with the requests of the 48-year-old Ferrara, who made use of the collaboration of members of the 'Ndrangheta or common crime.

'Ndrangheta: blitz by the Carabinieri del Ros, 14 precautionary measures for the Araniti gang

The investigation was directed by the Public Prosecutor's Office - District Anti-Mafia and Anti-Terrorism Directorate of Reggio Calabria

https://www.agenzianova.com/en/news...4-misure-cautelari-per-la-cosca-araniti/

under investigation the mayor of Reggio Calabria Giuseppe Falcomatà and the head of regional counsil of Fdl party Giuseppe Neri

Presence of 'Ndrangheta in Europe

https://www.zoom24.it/2024/06/17/ndrangheta-nel-vibonese-attesa-la-sentenza-per-i-71-imputati-nomi/

'Ndrangheta in the Vibonese area: sentence awaited for the 71 defendants (NAMES)

https://www.corrieredellacalabria.i...oia-tauro-centrale-per-il-narcotraffico/

Published on: 06/18/2024 – 11:13

'Ndrangheta, the rise of the Bellocco and Piromalli in the North and Gioia Tauro «central for drug trafficking»
This is what emerges from the Dia report relating to the first half of 2023. No "significant changes" have been recorded but sentences in trials are increasing
LAMEZIA TERME During the first half of 2023, "there were no significant changes in the general picture relating to the situation of organized crime in Calabria". This is what we read in the Dia's half-yearly report with reference to the first six months of last year , which underlines the "international projection of the 'Ndrangheta's drug trafficking" in relationships with cocaine suppliers in Central and South America such as Colombia, Brazil , Ecuador and Panama and with paramilitary organizations active in the sector such as the Gulf clan in Colombia, as demonstrated in operations “ Sunset ”, “ Eureka ” and “ Gentleman2 ”. Furthermore, the money laundering activity of the 'ndrangheta is confirmed in various European countries such as France, Germany and Portugal, "through the purchase of luxury goods and the start of activities in the catering and car wash sectors" reports Dia, thanks also to the operations of subjects of Chinese nationality.

The rise of the Belloccos and the Piromallis
As reported again in the report, there was further confirmation of the ultra-regional projection - in particular in Milan and Lombardy - of the Bellocco gang , as already emerged in the previous semester with the "Ritorno" operation. The same considerations apply to Emilia-Romagna, with the presence of the Crotone and Reggio gangs ("Aspromonte Emiliano" operation). Another element of significant interest emerged from the reasons for the sentence of the "Mandamento Jonico" trial, celebrated with ordinary rite, filed on 14 March 2023 by the Court of Appeal of Reggio Calabria, which depicted the existence of a "federal" system, divided by skills . Furthermore, the Dia confirms the role of power assumed by female figures of the Piromalli gang and who manage the affairs in the absence of husbands and fathers in prison, as emerged for example in the "Hybris" operation, in continuity with what emerged the last semester for the Bellocco and Rosmini-Serraino gangs.

The processes
Also for the semester in question - Dia then reports - we note the significant number of judicial rulings that came at the end of the many trials , often with the imposition of heavy sentences against members of organized crime, which affected the jurisdiction of the Courts of the district of Reggio Calabria. As, for example, the sentence issued on 25 March 2023 in the “'Ndrangheta massacre” appeal process confirmed the sentence of life imprisonment against the two defendants, for the murder of two Carabinieri and for the attempted murders committed in be between the end of 1993 and the beginning of 1994 in the capital of Reggio Emilia, with a view to the 'ndrangheta joining the continental massacre project developed by "Cosa Nostra". The Dia, in the report, highlights what emerged following the " Hybris " operation, conducted by the Carabinieri on 9 March 2023, relating to the will expressed by members of the Piromalli and Pesce gangs to «join the project aimed at carrying out attacks in damage to the Carabinieri, as well as to a politician". Still in the same investigative context, the contrary opinion of the Mancuso di Limbadi gang emerged regarding the sharing of the Sicilian project.

Drugs and the Gioia Tauro airport
The narcotics sector is confirmed - Dia finally notes - as the driving sector for the criminal economy and this is demonstrated by the high quantity of drugs subject to international trafficking by the gangs "who have the port of Gioia as their logistical center of gravity and privileged entry point Taurus." In particular, the Financial Police alone, during 10 operations conducted in the Calabrian port, seized almost 3.5 tons of cocaine.

https://www.reggiotoday.it/cronaca/ndrangheta-reggio-calabria-relazione-dia-18-giugno-2024.html

The 'Ndrangheta is growing in the North and is still a leader in drug trafficking: here's who's in charge in Reggio

https://www.lacnews24.it/cronaca/relazione-dia-mappa-ndrangheta-calabria_191796/

The "mother" of the 'Ndrangheta in San Luca, the tentacles in the world: here is the map of the gangs active in all the provinces