A vast operation of the State Police is underway from the early hours of this morning, aimed at the execution of 12 arrests [11 in prison and 1 under house arrest] issued against top elements, lieutenants and affiliated to the powerful gangs of the 'Ndrangheta SERRAINO and LIBRI operating in the city of Reggio Calabria, all held responsible for mafia association and, in various capacities, for extortion, fictitious registration of assets, damage, port and illegal possession of firearms, corruption for acts contrary to official duties, illegal competition with violence or threat, fire, aggravated by the circumstance of the mafia method and facilitation.
The investigation has made it possible to ascertain how the top of the SERRAINO gang is currently represented by Maurizio Cortese, son-in-law of Paolo Pitasi, formerly trusted man of Francesco Serraino, the "mountain boss", assassinated during the second war of 'Ndrangheta. Over the years Cortese - captured as a fugitive in 2017 by the Mobile Squad and the Carabinieri - has acquired increasing importance within the mafia groups.
The investigation revealed several elements that demonstrate how the chief cosca had a cell phone available in prison - found on 9 April 2019 by the Prison Police - with which he was able to communicate confidentially with the outside world and to issue instructions to his wife who lent herself to act as a postman and to other associates, with the use of cryptic language but pertaining to the dynamics and criminal activities of the gang of which he continued to hold the reins despite the state of restriction.