Operation against the 'Ndrangheta, 28 arrests and seizures of assets
In Reggio Calabria investigated for mafia, attempted murders, extortion
REGGIO CALABRIA , 11 October 2023, 12:07

ANSA editorial team

The State Police, with the coordination of the District Anti-Mafia Directorate of Reggio Calabria, has been carrying out various precautionary measures and seizures of assets since the early hours of today against individuals under investigation for mafia association and other crimes, believed to be affiliated with the Ndrangheta gangs Libri and Tegano-De Stefano of Reggio Calabria.

The operation takes place under the coordination of the District Anti-Mafia Directorate of Reggio Calabria, directed by the Prosecutor Giovanni Bombardieri.

In Reggio Calabria and in other Italian cities the police are carrying out numerous restrictive measures ordered by the investigating judge against subjects suspected, for various reasons, and at the stage of the proceedings in the preliminary investigation phase, of crimes of mafia association, extortion, attempted murder, illegal possession of weapons, possession and dealing of narcotic substances.
The investigation conducted by the Flying Squad, in particular, targeted alleged exponents of the Libri and Tegano-De Stefano gangs in the central district of Reggio Calabria, between which there was a division agreement for the extortions to be carried out in some areas of the city.
At the same time as the execution of the restrictive measures, the preventive seizure of 11 companies attributable to entrepreneurs who are, however, accused of the crime of external complicity in a mafia association is underway.
A boss detained in prison was still able to communicate with the outside world thanks to the use of cleverly modified mobile phones and introduced into prisons with the collaboration of his son. This is one of the aspects that emerged from the "Act Fourth" investigation conducted by the Reggio Calabria Flying Squad with the coordination of the DDA led by Giovanni Bombardieri, which this morning led to the arrest of 28 subjects - 23 in prison and 5 under house arrest - and to the seizure of 11 companies attributable to entrepreneurs under investigation for external complicity in a mafia association. Those arrested are accused, for various reasons, of mafia association, external complicity in
mafia association, extortion, attempted murder, illegal possession of weapons, possession and dealing of narcotic substances and more.
The investigations constitute the continuation of the Theorema - Roccaforte, Libro Nero and Malefix operations, which over time revealed the criminal structures and dynamics of the Libri, De Stefano and Tegano gangs. Today's investigation, based on telephone, environmental and electronic interceptions, and on the declarations of an entrepreneur who was a victim of extortion, made it possible to ascertain the continuing operations of the Libri gang not only in the historic stronghold in the Cannavò district and surrounding areas, but also its influence in the neighborhoods of Condera, Reggio Campi, Modena, Ciccarello, San Giorgio, in the hamlets of Gallina, Mosorrofa, Vinco and Pavigliana as well as in the central area of ??Reggio Calabria, the latter portion of the territory within which they would be in force sharing agreements with the De Stefano and the Tegano families.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed the operation, within the Libri clan, of a further clan, that of San Cristoforo, a territory adjacent to that of Spirito Santo. As proof of the charisma and significant criminal relations of the Libri gang, the investigation revealed solid relationships with the 'ndrangheta branches of both the Tyrrhenian and Ionian districts.
The crime of external complicity is accused of some entrepreneurs who, according to the accusation, have established a real synallagmatic relationship with the gang, paying sums of money or hiring reported personnel in exchange for protection and help in acquiring orders and expanding their activities.

The investigation also partially shed light on the attempted murder committed on 17 May 2017 in Reggio Calabria against Antonio Baggetta. For this reason, two individuals were identified who would have had the task of procuring and hiding the weapons and the motorcycle, later found and seized by police investigators, used to carry out the crime.