THE SECRETS of Italy’s richest mafia are about to be revealed as hundreds of gang suspects face justice in the largest mafia trial in more than 30 years.
Supposed members of the ‘NDrangheta – including corrupt politicians – will be locked up in cages during the hearings, which will take place in a large call center in Calabria that has been converted into a court.
5
5
5
Now it will receive nearly 1,000 lawyers, judges, prosecutors and onlookers taking part in the trial, which will expose the inner workings of Italy’s most secretive mafia – which is due to start on Wednesday.
Investigators will reveal 24,000 telephone taps and tapped conversations to support charges of murder, extortion and drug trafficking.
More than 900 witnesses will testify against 355 alleged members of the Calabrian mafia, which has an estimated turnover of between € 40- € 50 billion (£ 36 billion- £ 45 billion).
The gang is believed to have strong links to Latin American drug cartels, which they use to import cocaine through ports like Rotterdam, as well as gangs in Albania and Turkey, to transport it to the market.
It takes place over 30 years after the 1986 Maxi trial in Palermo, which exposed the Sicilian mafia.
Nicola Gratteri, who leads the charge against ‘NDrangheta, said: “This is the most important maxi-trial since Palermo.”
In 2019, Gratteri ordered the arrest of alleged members of the mafia in Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Bulgaria, which led to the last trial.
A delegate, a former senator, lawyers, councilors and businessmen are among those arrested in an operation involving 2,500 police officers.
Gratteri added: “This is a mafia that looks like us and is getting closer and closer to us.”
5
5
A former senator, a police chief, lawyers, local councilors and businessmen were among those arrested on suspicion of collusion with the crowd. “This is a mafia that looks like us and is getting closer and closer to us,” said Gratteri, 62.
The criminal organization ‘Ndrangheta represents for the region of Calabria, in southern Italy, what Cosa Nostra represents for Sicily, which dates back to the 18th century.
Long-range illegal activities include the supply of drugs, extortion, prostitution and arms trafficking.
It is one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the world, with the FBI estimating the number of ‘Ndrangheta members to be around 6,000 – most based in one of Italy’s poorest regions.
The name comes from the Greek “andragathia”, which means courage or loyalty.
The group specializes in cocaine trafficking and is estimated to control up to 80% of Europe’s cocaine supply.
Law enforcement officials say it has overtaken the Cosa Nostra in Sicily and the Camorra, based in Naples, in influence, thanks to the control of drug trafficking.
It is also ingrained at the crime scene in and around Turin, in northern Italy.
The trial will focus on crowd activity in the Calabrian province of Vibo Valentia.
The area is dominated by one of the most powerful clans in the confederation that makes up the ‘NDrangheta, Mancuso.
MUTANT HOTSPOTS
Interactive map reveals Covid cases in YOUR area as the mutant strain spreads
DOUBLE TRAGEDY
Tycoon who rubbed Clinton’s shoulders ‘jumps’ to death with baby in arms
VAX THE NATION
PM warns that he may have to tighten the lock AGAIN, as 2.4 million jabs given
LOTTO LUCK
Bricklayer who earned £ 10K a month for 30 years at Lotto kept his victories a secret from friends
LOCK KEY
Five ways blocking could be more difficult with new mask and nursery closure rules
RED ALERT
China reports biggest peak in Covid in FIVE MONTHS as areas go into ‘war mode’
Gratteri’s overthrow of the clan was helped by Emanuele Mancuso, son of one of the chiefs, who had been revealing mafia secrets after accepting police protection, according to the Times.
Mafia expert Antonio Nisaco said: “They are very violent, but extremely enterprising, with a global network of contacts.
“A leaf does not move in Vibo Valentia without the word of the Mancusos.”