Sacra Corona Unita

Italian police arrested 50 people for mafia links in the southern province of Puglia. According to ANSA, all arrested are members of the local Sacra Corona Unita organized crime group. They will be charged with murder, blackmail, drug trafficking and arms. The operation, started at the end of last year, was carried out in the towns of Lecce, Brindisi and Taranto.

SCU killer gets 30 yrs
Hitman killed 3 rivals in 2013

(ANSA) - Bari, October 27 - A Bari appeals court on Friday cut from life to 30 years the sentence of a Puglia mafia (SCU) hitman who killed three gangsters in May 2013.
Antonio Moretti was again found guilty of the vendetta kalashnikov slayings of Vitantonio Fiore, Antonio Romito and Claudio Fanelli.
SCU stands for Sacra Corona Unita (United Holy Crown), the fourth and smallest of Italy's four mafias.

Links between 'Ndrangheta and SCU, arrests in different regions. An order for custody in jail issued at the request of the district prosecutor of anti-mafia Lecce components of a group of the Sacra Corona Unita, investigated for mafia association, drug trafficking, extortion, corruption, and more. The investigation revealed, among other things, connections with Rosarno's "ndranghetista" Bellocco clan and infiltrations in the tarantino market of the sale of fishery products.

11 arrests among them “padrino” Dino Caporosso. One of the founders of the SCU.

Italy’s forgotten mafia

http://www.lastampa.it/2017/08/10/esteri...xoK/pagina.html

"Kill the first one you find": in Bari an innocent died killed after the boss order

Giuseppe Mizzi was killed in the central square of Carbonara on March 16, 2011. Antonio Battista, boss of the mafia clan Di Cosola, sentenced to life imprisonment because he was considered the instigator of the crime
December 14th 2017
Antonio Battista, boss of the mafia clan Di Cosola in Bari, ordered his men to respond to the ambush suffered by killing a man, "the first one you find", of the rival clan Strisciuglio. That evening, March 16, 2011, the killers by mistake fired on Giuseppe Mizzi, an innocent victim of the Mafia, mistaking him for a drug dealer. The reconstruction of that tragic event is contained in the motivations of the first degree sentence against Battista (sentenced to life imprisonment at the end of a trial with a shortened trial because he was considered the instigator of the crime) and of another 59 affiliated to the clan charged with crimes of mafia association, drugs, weapons and extortion.

For the death of Mizzi, innocent victim of the mafia, the sentence against the two material executors has already been judged, Emanuele Fiorentino and Edoardo Bove, sentenced to 20 years and 13 years and four months imprisonment respectively. The position of Battista as the principal had been filed until the statements of his wife, Lucia Masella, who after becoming a collaborator of justice had accused her husband by helping the investigators of the District Anti-Mafia Directorate, the DDA, to reopen the case.

"In the distorted and aberrant logic that moved the instigator of the murder - the gup writes in the sentence - the execution of the crime must represent the means to reaffirm the dominance of his figure, as the summit of the mafia association, after the shame suffered". Antonio Battista in the spring of 2011 had just come out of prison and was trying to regain control of the territory by reorganizing the clan. "He also had to face armed attacks", reconstructs the judge, coming to decide to "send a signal that at the same time gave account and reaffirmed his criminal rank".

On 15 March 2011 he escaped an ambush while going to the barracks to sign and was injured in one hand. He said "he would fix things"he ordered him to respond to that attack by killing someone from the rival clan. It took only 24 hours to organize and on the evening of March 16, Fiorentino and Bove killed Giuseppe Mizzi in the central square of Carbonara. "We did, but we do not know who we got," said the two to Battista after the ambush, according to reports from his wife. But they had hit the wrong target and hit an innocent, perhaps mistaking him for a drug dealer who looked like him.

http://bari.repubblica.it/cronaca/2017/1...ate_-184132646/

An 84-year-old woman was killed and a young man of 20 was injured in an ambush in Bitonto (Bari), in Puglia.
The dynamics of the shooting, which may have been a clash between rival clans, are being investigated by the Mobile Squad of the police headquarters in the capital of Puglia. The woman, killed, according to what has emerged, has been used as a shield by the victim to defend himself from the blows. At least ten shots were fired, one of which hit the woman who was passing by at the wrong time. It is not known whether the shots were fired with a pistol or a sub-machine gun.

MAFIA LEADER FOUND DEAD IN SUITCASE WAS SHOT: PROSECUTOR

https://nltimes.nl/2018/01/08/mafia-leader-found-dead-suitcase-shot-prosecutor

Vito Di Biase, 45, was shot dead in Andria, which occurred yesterday in broad daylight in Via Ausonia.

A garage in the San Paolo district of Bari was the scene of the last shooting. Ignazio Gesuito was shot in his stomach: the man was operated at the Di Venere di Carbonara hospital. The carabinieri of the provincial command of Bari intervened on the spot. Gesuito is already known, in 2006 he was arrested on charges of killing Salvatore Montani, the eighteen year old son of the boss Andrea. Last May he was released from prison where he had finished serving a sentence of 15 years imprisonment.

SCU have a presence in other countries?
According to Wikipédia even if it is infos are taken with precautions they would have a presence in the United States and perhaps in Canada?

They have a presence in and around Amsterdam. Saverio Tucci was found in a suitcase last year, but there were quite a few murders around these guys in the 2000s. According to info they are very active in Aalsmeer, the largest trading centre for plants and flowers in the world.

How strong is the SCU these days ? I've read that they lost a lot of their power after the end of the Balkan Wars , what with Montenegro cracking down on smuggling at the behest of the Clinton administration .

http://www.ansa.it/english/news/201...11fe1b3-68f3-4fa3-925b-5fe90806c2e3.html

Ex-Lecce keeper among 37 arrested in mafia-drugs probe

The killers returned to action last night in the Gargano after the march organized in Foggia on the occasion of the Day of Remembrance for the innocent victims of the mafia. The injured is Marco Raduano, considered a prominent exponent of the Vieste underworld. He was on foot and was returning home in Scialara when he was wounded with gunshots that have reached a hand, a side and a leg. Raduano was taken to the hospital. His condition would not be serious.

http://www.ansa.it/english/news/gen...589dde7-8e2f-4fb2-add8-1df19dc09ba0.html

Puglia mafia kills man, 25
In drugs turf war at Vieste near Foggia

These guys dont fool around huh. Kalishnikovs. The other killers in Italy only usually use pistols. Very violent group considering Italy is a first world country.

Increased violence in Puglia , but most violent is Camorra and the Sicilian mafia during 80-90's used everything you can think of. I believe 'Ndrangheta used ak 47 in Germany during Duisburg massacre.

both camorra, sicilian mafia and ndrangheta use sometimes kalashnikov
sacra corona is just the weakest among italian mafias

Ak's are a european thing

Sacra Corona Unita is weaker than the other Mafia's but still quite violent recently. Also I think the camorra power is overexagerated. I don't think they are that much more powerful than SCU nowadays. Ndrangheta and Cosa nostra are definitely more widespread globally.

Since January 2015, the Mafia town of Vieste (population 14,000) has seen 8 murders, 4 failed ambushes, and a disappearance.

AK's are, if anything, a universal thing.. It played a major role in almost every revolution on almost every continent. The country of Mozambique even has a Kalashnikov very prominent on their national flag for chrissake lol

I mean the popularity of this assault weapon in the european underworld. But yeah your right.

The old bosses are all in prison and the new generations are divided into many, small, groups, kept alive by a thriving traffic of drugs and bothered by the interference of 'ndrangheta and Camorra in the affairs of Salento. The Sacra Corona Unita of the third millennium remains a dangerous Mafia but certainly not very competitive compared to the criminal holding companies of other regions, which do business and millionaires investments in many parts of the world.

Twelve arrests were carried out by the Brindisi police as part of an anti-mafia operation that targeted alleged affiliates and supporters belonging to a new clan of the Sacra Corona Unita active in Brindisi and Mesagne. The investigations have revealed intentions of revenge towards the magistrate who conducted the investigation.
In addition to the classic criminal interests, such as extortion and trafficking, the group's activities focused on imposing earnings in the fishing and parking areas . During the investigations, the flow of so-called "sfoglie" (pizzini) among the subjects involved was also intercepted and were supported by the statements of various collaborators of justice.
According to the investigation, among other things, Antonio Campana, detained in Terni and brother of Francesco, one of the most influential and bloodthirsty bosses in the history of the SCU, would have been able to communicate outside even with a mobile phone sent to prison. He would issue orders, request the sustenance of prisoners to those who were outside.

The Carabinieri in Bari and in other localities of Puglia arrested 104 alleged affiliates of the clans "Mercante-Diomede" and "Capriati".
The provision arises from a survey coordinated by the District Anti-Mafia Directorate of Bari that has rebuilt the organizational structures, criminal activities and the ability of infiltration of clans in the economic and social fabric of the city and the province of Bari.
From the investigation emerged the clan affiliation rituals, the availability of weapons also from war like Kalashnikov and relations with exponents of the Foggiana crime group and of the Sacra Corona Unita of Lecce.
Among those arrested, considered a participant of the Mercante-Diomede clan, there is Roberto De Biasi, vice president of the anti-racket association in Molfetta, an entrepreneur in the private security sector.

https://sputniknews.com/europe/201806191065547195-dozens-arrested-in-italy-over-links-to-mafia/

Dozens Arrested in Italy Over Links to Mafia - Reports

Blitz del Ros against the Lecce clans of the Sacred united crown: 33 arrests that the carabinieri are carrying out in the province of Lecce against members of two criminal groups federated to the "Tornese" clan of Monteroni.
In the pre-trial detention order issued by the investigating magistrate at the request of the anti-mafia district attorney in Lecce, accusations against the mafia association, drug trafficking, extortion, imprisonment and illegal port of arms and other crimes aggravated by the mafia method are contested.

The two criminal associations were headed by two defendants: one by Vincenzo Rizzo, 54, and the other by Saulle Politi, 46 years old. The latter, in particular, is considered by the investigators to be a character of the SCU because of the close contacts that emerged with the 'ndrangheta "Mammoliti" of San Luca, whose presence was documented at his wedding celebrated in March 2016.

https://yubanet.com/world/italian-woman-reporter-defies-mafia-death-threats/

Italian woman reporter defies mafia death threats

SCU clan chief nabbed for harassing woman
Puglia mafia man arrested near Lecce

(ANSA) - Lecce, August 28 - A 59-year-old clan chief in the Puglian mafia Sacra Corona Unita (United Holy Crown, SCU), was arrested Tuesday for allegedly harassing a 30-year-old mother-of-two he wanted to have a relationship with.
Michele Coluccia from Galatina near Lecce is believed to be a top member of the Coluccia clan.
He was charged with persecutory acts after pursuing the woman even though she made it plain she wanted nothing to do with him, police said.
The SCU is the smallest of Italy's four mafias.
It has dwindled to a fraction of its former strength thanks to waves of police action.
The other three mafias are 'Ndrangheta from Calabria, Cosa Nostra from Sicily and the Camorra from Naples.

Powerful Italian Mafia not immune to #MeToo http://gangstersinc.ning.com/profiles/blogs/powerful-italian-mafia-not-immune-to-metoo

Everything I've read about the SCU leads me to believe that they're...a bit of a mess to be honest...

The original pyramid structure has been abandoned and that led to a rigid division into groups, reluctant to talk to each other and thety rather claim their own autonomy. But they can still rely on the elaborate rituals for initiating new members and promoting members up, which traditionally take place during imprisonment.

I remember reading about their (short) activities in Amsterdam. It was all extremely disorganized and the guy they caught (who was supposed to be the local leader) didn't hesitate singing like a canary.

Domenico Capriati, 49, died in the evening, he was seriously injured in an ambush that took place on Wednesday evening in the Japigia district. He had been hit by several pistol shots - at least three - in his arm and his head.
Domenico was Antonio Capriati 's nephew, head of the old Bari clan and brother of Filippo, arrested last April and detained by the investigators, who was reorganizing the clan's business after his release.

Lecce Carabinieri are executing in the provinces of Lecce, Brindisi and Bari 41 arrests, for various reasons, of association aimed at the trafficking of drugs, extortion, detention and illegal arms possession. The measures were issued by the investigating judge of Lecce, at the request of the local prosecutor of the republic. Identified a thriving supply channel due to exponents of a local criminal gang.

Shot at the clan of 'Peppe U Muntaner', arrested the son and his associates: the names
As part of the Stirpe Criminale operation, the state police carried out arrests against Giuseppe Pacilli's son, a prominent member of the bloody organization of the clan Li Bergolis, and his associates

Francesco Pio Pacilli born in 1996, Libero Caputo born in 1977, Matteo Caputo born in 1998, Salvatore Pacillo born in 1963, Ciro Pacilli born in 1998, Valentino Conoscitore born in 1972 of which some contiguous to the Gargano criminality of the Montanari group, considered in various capacities, participating in the organization criminal operating in Manfredonia and headed by Francesco Pio Pacilli, son of Giuseppe called Peppe U Muntaner, prominent element of the bloody organization of the clan Li Bergolis.

With the same precautionary measure the magistrate ordered the measure of house arrest against Antonio Guerra class 1980 and the measure of the obligation of abode against Raffaele Quitadamo class 1996, members of the same organization, dedicated, for various reasons, all 'provision and management of the drug retail outlet in Manfredonia

Bari: 13 arrests for the clan war
10 December 2018.09: 00
bari 13 arrests war between clans
BARI CLAN DDA
The investigating judge of the Court of Bari has issued an order for precautionary custody against 13 people (already affected on 5 December by detention of suspected crime) performed by the Provincial Command of the Carabinieri of Bari. Against another of the recipients of detention, while recognizing the existence of the indicative framework, the investigating judge did not take any measures for lack of precautionary needs. The 14 stops had been issued by the District Anti-Mafia Directorate of Bari against as many people considered organic to two criminal associations of the capital and in particular to the group Di Cosimo - Rafaschieri, operating in the Madonnella district and the articulation of the San Paolo district of the powerful clan Strisciuglio.
A single provision had instead been issued against a young man considered adjoining the Parisi-Palermiti-Milella clan of the Japigia district. The detentions had come at the end of investigations launched last January. In particular, the investigation made it possible to document the criminal synergy created between this consortium and that of the San Paolo neighborhood, facilitated by the figure of the 40-year-old fugitive, Giovanni Di Cosimo, who had not been available since June 2017, after having escaped from Bari, having to serve a residual penalty for association aimed at illicit drug trafficking.
During the investigation it was established that Di Cosimo had taken refuge in Durazzo, Albania, from where he maintained contacts with the members who remained in the city of origin. Since February, it has been documented the onset of contrasts between Di Cosimo - Rafaschieri and members of the Parisi - Milella - Palermiti clan in the Japigia neighborhood in relation to an alleged maneuver ordered by the first in the Madonnella district to expand into the territory. During the summer, the already latent conflict between the two groups exploded following the descent into the camp of the members of the San Paolo district in support of Di Cosimo - Rafaschieri.
The investigations were able to rebuild the preparation of a commando to avenge an immediate ambush, gunshots for intimidating purposes, meetings to which the suspects were participating in weapons, providing for the imminent confrontation with the rivals of the Japigia neighborhood, requests for extortion to two traders from Bari.
In this context of heavy climate of continuous and mutual armed provocation between the two groups under investigation and the rivals of the clan of Japigia, the DDA has issued a decree of detention in the last days of suspect of crime, disputing the detention and the port in a public place of guns, the explosion of gunshots in public places, aggravated extortions and the aggravating circumstance provided for by art. 416 bis.
During the execution of the detentions, which took place on 4 December last, there were also two arrests in flagrante, for detention for the purpose of drug dealing. On the same morning, in the context of the same investigative context and following an exchange of information between the Investigative Unit of Bari and the Aabanese police, with the coordination of the DDA of Bari and the Prosecution for the serious crimes of Tirana, he was arrested , in Durrës (Albania), the fugitive Giovanni Di Cosimo. The arrested person was associated with the Tirana Prison (Albania) pending completion of the extradition to Italy.

https://www.agi.it/cronaca/bari_13_arresti_guerra_tra_clan-4721491/news/2018-12-10/

Armed police escort for anti-Mafia priest shows life in Italy remains under siege by organized crime http://gangstersinc.ning.com/profil...-anti-mafia-priest-shows-life-in-italy-r

Anybody who knows some stuff about the Società Foggiana? Apparently to some they're considered SCU even though they do things their own way (the SCU is fragmented as it is). Rumored to be a plenty powerful clan with a fearsome reputation.

Puglian mafia has several branches.

La società foggiana is involved in a war which claimed around 30 lives in the last two years.
A few months ago for the first time police showed the structure thanks to a turncoat; it has ranks and rituals similar to the 'Ndrangheta, but probably it was Raffaele Cutolo that started ceremony of initiations and ranks in Foggia, the 'Ndrangheta copied the old Camorra structure at the ending of 1800 and Cutolo wanted to rebuild it.

Thanks Hollander. 30 hits in two years is quite a rate.

It spilled over to Amsterdam where Saverio Tucci alias 'Angel Face' was shot dead he was found in the trunk of a car.

The SCU-related networks for some time made quite a bit of noise in Amsterdam. Probably more so than any other type of Italian OC. They were implicated as well in the murder of a Surinamese cocaine trafficker. SCU isn't as huge as Cosa Nostra, Ndrangheta or Camorra are, but with 2000 made men it's still a significant and noteworthy part of organized crime in Europe.

True they own quite a few Italian restaurants in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.