100 Mafia suspects arrested

(ANSA) - Catania, February 10 - Carabinieri police on Wednesday arrested a reported 109 Mafia suspects in Italy and abroad.
    The massive operation, which was coordinated by anti-Mafia prosecutors based in the Sicilian city of Catania, targeted the Laudani Mafia clan.
    The clan is one of the most dangerous operating in Catania with ties to members of the Calabrian crime syndicate 'Ndrangheta based in Reggio Calabria, according to investigators Carabinieri police believe that clan leaders are among the suspects arrested on Wednesday, including three women.
    They are suspected, among other things, of extorting money from several entrepreneurs and retailers in the area, attacking businessmen who did not comply with their requests and damaging their companies.
    The alleged victims, however, either did not admit they were paying "pizzo" protection money or did not provide any detail to identify the culprits, Carabinieri police said.
    The three women arrested as part of the so-called "Viceroy" operation had a central role in the organization, directing criminal activities together with the clan's leaders and managing assets, according to investigators. Catania anti-Mafia prosecutor Michelangelo Patanè said the operation follows a long investigation that has shed light on "one of the bloodiest families in the history of Cosa Nostra in Catania" in a strong blow to the current and historic leaders of the clan.