Italian police arrested 21 alleged Cosa Nostra bagmen Monday, amid signs mob victims are actually rebelling.
The arrests were believed to be the first time police have apprehended such a large group of alleged crime syndicate operatives based on the word of the people on which they had been preying, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.
Informants also played a major role in the arrests, ANSA reported.
A joint statement issued by two anti-mob groups credited the cooperation of business people.
In a bid to dent the Mafia's control, the Sicilian branch of the industrial employees union has vowed to eject any members paying for protection.
The federation has been contacting businessmen mentioned in a log book seized during the arrest last November of reputed Cosa Nostra chief Salvatore Lo Piccolo.
Businesses now have to choose between going to the police or being thrown out of the federation, ANSA reported.
