The Bari Camorra operates in Bari and in the province . It is not to be confused with the Neapolitan Camorra . Mainly confederations between clans, which continue to be dedicated to drug crimes, smuggling and extortion as their primary activities . Among the Bari clans, the Parisi clan stands out (which split in 1986 from the Sacra Corona Unita ) [1] headed by the well-known boss Savino "Savinuccio" Parisi [2] and the Palermiti clan with the Pesole operating in the Japigia neighbourhood , considered one of the largest drug dealing squares in Italy [3] . Other clans are present such as the Telegrafo del San Paolo , Capriati ( Bari Vecchia ), the Caldarola and Mercante-Diomede clans ( Libertà district ), the emerging Lorusso ( San Girolamo district ) and Di Cosola ( Ceglie del Campo ). [4]


I
In Bari, criminal episodes involve more and more people with a criminal record or minors , destined to swell the ranks of the clans with even important tasks. Serious crimes ( robbery , extortion , drug dealing , illegal carrying of weapons ) are often committed by minors linked to organized crime , eager to demonstrate their abilities to become part of it [22] . Often the early entry into criminal organizations is also due to family ties and the need to replace detained relatives in the criminal hierarchy .

The Bari Camorra clans present a structure of clear 'Ndrangheta origin with blood ties, affiliation rituals and ranks or " qualities " such as the " picciotto ", " camorrista ", " sgarrista ", " santista ", "attacker", " locket" and " major society chain locket ". On 16 June 2018, an operation against the Mercante-Diomede and Capriati clans was concluded in which the use of these rites was confirmed [23] .

Initiation during minors is also confirmed by the fact that, as shown by recent investigations, many young people who have just turned 18 have held or hold leading roles within mafia organisations. [24]