Domenico Oppedisano will be a free man very soon, in December he turns 90. He was informally chosen as Chief Criminal, the ceremonial head of the 'Ndrangheta, at a marriage of two children of bosses attended by 2,000 people. The marriage was between Elisa Pelle, daughter of Giuseppe Pelle, and granddaughter of Antonio Pelle of San Luca, known as Gambazza, former crime chief, and of Giuseppe Barbaro, head of the homonymous' ndrina of Platì. 'Ndrangheta is so secretive that the replacement for Oppedisano is not known.

Who else is known to have held the rank of “Chief Criminal?”

Only two former chiefs criminal (capo crimine) are known Antonio Macrì from Siderno and Antonio Pelle of San Luca, known as Gambazza.

The Chief Criminal is the one who has the role of peacemaker in the event of a feud between the locals and the 'ndrine as well as, in case there is no possibility of sanctioning the opening of the feud. The head of crime decides in a collegial manner together with the most important crimini of the 'Ndrangheta : the crimini of Africo, Cirò marina, Gioiosa Jonica, Platì, Rosarno and Sinopoli who has the last chance to decide on the murder against an affiliate, a member of the Cosa Nostra , the Camorra or the Sacra Corona Unita and members of the police and the judiciary.

Is it the most powerful position within the entire organization? If that position is known, what is it called?

Thanks as always for the expertise Hollander

I know this is a very old post but I have to say I don`t think 60000 affiliates sounds far fetched. I think FBI wrote in their 2004 report that Italian organized crime has more than 200000 affiliates worldwide, maybe this number isn`t accurate but Ndrangheta has a few thousand full members, meaning there should be a lot more associates, just like the American mob.

Well they have around 5000-6000 'made' members, we can't really know exact numbers of associates because 'Ndrangheta is structured differently than sicilian mafia. But could be very high , if we count in Calabria+ worldwide

'Ndrangheta is separated into 2 societies, Minor society and Major society.


Minor society

1. Giovane d’onore - It's not a real rank but it is assigned to babies born in 'Ndrangheta families,one day they can become full members.

2.Contrasto - trusted associate

3.Contrasto Onorato - literally means honored associate

4.Picciotto d'Onore - Lowest rank , just someone who is running around executing orders.

5.Camorrista - same like number 4,but with more trust and experience, and they are given orders/tasks that 4. cannot perform.

6.Sgarrista or Camorrista of Sgarro - Camorrista with important position,last rank in Minor society.

Major society

1.Santista - first and lowest rank of Major society

2.Vangelo - Also called "Evangelist",these are members that complete initiation, they swore allegiance to 'Ndrnagheta by putting his hand on a photo of the gospel.

3.Quartino

4.Trequartino

5.Padrino o Quintino - highest rank of 'Ndrangheta meaning "The Godfather".

There are some more ranks discovered in 2010,regarding highest members of 'La Santa'. Politicians , freemasonry members,secret service members can become part of 'La Santa'.

Crociata

Stella

Bartolo

Mammasantissima

Infinito

Conte Ugolino

The governing body of the 'Ndrangheta is the Crimine (Crime), supervised by the capo crimine. But his power is limited, more a ceremonial title.

For example police said the power behind Oppedisano was Vincenzo Pesce, the head of the Pesce 'ndrina in Rosarno.

The election of Oppedisano had not been easy. Giuseppe Pelle aspired to replace his ailing father Antonio Gambazza Pelle as capo crimine and keep the title in San Luca at the risk of triggering a conflict between clans. However, Vincenzo Pesce felt that the nomination of Pelle would distort the equilibrium in the 'Ndrangheta and threatened to form a separate organization taking some 30 locali with him. As a result, Oppedisano became the capo crimine instead of Pelle.

These are pure masonic symbolism.

Sebastiano Nirta was sentenced to life in prison on a definitive basis for the charge of six murders and possession and ports of common firearms in competition in the context of the Duisburg massacre, which marked, as claimed by the investigators, the apex of the San Luca feud between the opposing factions of Nirta-Strangio and Pelle-Vottari.

The second criminal section of the Court of Cassation rejected the appeal presented by the defenders of Sebastiano Nirta (cl. 1971).

Which mafia organization is the strongest currently in Canada? Is it Commisso 'ndrina?

Although the origin of mammasantissima is interesting I read it was also used by Camorra for example Nuova Famiglia leader Pasquale Galasso also hold that rank.

Wow..

'Ndrangheta boss starts collaborating with police
Maurizio Cortese helping probes of Calabria-based Mob

(ANSA) - REGGIO CALABRIA, NOV 11 - The acting boss of one of the most powerful clans in Italy's richest and most powerful mafia, the Calabria-based 'Ndrangheta, has started collaborating with police from his prison cell, police said Wednesday.
This is a major breakthrough as he is the first 'Ndrangheta boss to help police.
The Calabrian organisation's rule of silence or 'omertà' is even tighter than that of Cosa Nostra in Sicily, its older but less powerful cousin.
Maurizio Cortese, considered to be the 'regent' of the Serraino clan, has decided to become a confidential informant, judicial sources said.
Police said they hoped his turning state's evidence will help them fight 'Ndrangheta, which controls the European cocaine trade and has infiltrated the economies of Italy and many other countries. (ANSA).

The soldiers of the provincial commands of Reggio Calabria of the Guardia di Finanza and of the Carabinieri carried out a judicial police operation which ended with the capture of Domenico Bellocco , a fugitive from 'Ndrangheta and a leading exponent of the homonymous gang of Rosarno, one of the associations the most powerful mafia criminals of the Tyrrhenian area, with ramifications throughout Italy and Europe.

The fugitive was located and captured in a cottage in a rural area in the municipality of Mongiana (Vibo Valentia).

Fugitive ‘Ndrangheta Mafia boss Domenico Bellocco arrested in Italy http://gangstersinc.ning.com/profil...-boss-domenico-bellocco-arrested-in-ital

This Bellocco was arrested in Vibo Valentia. In this area the Mancuso ndrina is powerful, or? Do you think both clans have ties to each other? Relatives or just business?

Is it true that the Mancuso clan is one of the richest clans of all and they are big in the cocaine trade?

It's all intertwined, but the Mancuso and associates are now fighting in the Maxi trial at the bunker room of the Rebibbia prison in Rome. The formal legal process against more than 470 people is under way. The trial will eventually move from Rome to a large courthouse being prepared for the occasion in Calabria in order to accommodate all the defendants and their lawyers.

This Bellocco is the son of Carmelo Bellocco and grandson of super boss Umberto Bellocco.
His cousin, also named Domenico, is the rapper Glock 21.

Does anyone know the Nirta Clan/ ndrina? In the internet you can read in many places that they are the most powerful clan of the Ndrangheta. Do you think that's right? You hardly hear or read anything about this ndrina in the news.


https://larivieraonline.com/ndrangheta-colpo-al-cuore-degli-scalzone-ucciso-giuseppe-nirta

https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/%27Ndrina_La_Maggiore

https://www.wikimafia.it/wiki/index.php?title=Nirta_(%27ndrina)

'Ndrina La Maggiore is probably the most influential 'ndrina of all time

They are called the "Mamma", mother of all clans.

I heard that term in Gomorrah, I thought its a person, like the boss of all bosses. So its actually referring to the most powerful clan? Did any other clan have this title before them? Or are they the only one?

Mamma is also a nickname and there is a rank called 'Mammasantissima'

Yes it can be both the San Luca family or a person Antonio Pelle was known as la mamma.

So Antonio Pelle was the boss of San Luca at the time? How can that be when the Nirta Clan, as one reads, is the most powerful ndrina of all? It all seems very complicated in San Luca. You hardly hear anything from this Nirta La Maggiore clan. In which countries is the clan active? The other San Luca clans are mainly active in Europe, Germany, etc. Perhaps the Pelle ndrina has become stronger and more powerful than the Nirta ndrina in the course of time? Really an interesting subject.

Disgusting to see Calabrians producing such degenerate gangsta rap videos. You would think they’d have more dignity. Straight outta Growing Up Gotti.

True, it's a sign of these times I guess. In the clip he attacks law enforcement agencies defined as 'dogs' and 'cops to fuck off'.

There are two Nirta families in San Luca the Nirta-Strangio had the infamous feud with Pelle-Vottari and the Nirta La Maggiore were mediators to bring the peace.

Yes i read and know this. But I often read that Antonio Pelle and Giuseppe Pelle are the highest in San Luca. So I wonder why the Nirta La maggiore clan is the most powerful ndrina of the Ndrangheta?

The head of the Ndrangheta was Antonio Pelle or not?

COVID: Major 'Ndrangheta trials threatened by virus
Trouble setting up videolinks with jailed asymptomatic mafiosi

https://www.ansa.it/english/news/ge...43125f7-1d61-41c4-9d97-b3dc0d0d7ada.html