Police arrest 61 suspected Italian mafia in widespread raid

Italian police have conducted a series of raids across seven regions, resulting in the arrest of 61 suspected members of the ‘Ndrangheta, Italy’s most powerful mafia. The individuals are accused of crimes such as fraud, drug trafficking, government infiltration, and extortion of local farmers. Over 500 police officers participated in the operation, targeting a total of 167 people, including those already in prison. This crackdown is part of an ongoing effort to dismantle the criminal network.

Last week, a major operation involving ten countries led to the arrest of over 100 individuals across Europe, marking the largest-ever operation against the ‘Ndrangheta. Seizing assets worth €25 million, the operation also provided new insights into the group’s operations, including their activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pasquale Bonavota, an alleged boss, was apprehended in a cathedral in Genoa recently. The ‘Ndrangheta’s criminal network, comprising around 150 families, has surpassed Cosa Nostra as Italy’s most dominant mafia group and operates in over 40 countries worldwide.

Italian and Belgian investigators have uncovered evidence indicating that the ‘Ndrangheta smuggled nearly 25,000 kg of cocaine between October 2019 and January 2022 and funnelled over €22 million from Calabria to Belgium, the Netherlands, and South America.