Over 50 mafiosi were arrested in a
police swoop in Sicily on Friday, police said.
Those arrested are alleged members of the Sanfilippo clan of
Mazzarino near Caltanissetta, which is said to take its orders
from the Gela branch of the second largest Sicilian crime
organisation, the Stidda (Sicilian for 'Star'), which is much
less famous than Cosa Nostra.
Those arrested have been charged with mafia association, murder,
extortion, drug trafficking and arms possession, all aggravated
by using mafia methods.
During the probe police said they shed light on two mafiosi
allegedly 'disappeared' in 1984 and 1991 with the 'lupara
bianca' method.
Police said the Mazzarino clan extorted large sums of money from
local businessmen to fuel their illicit activities and help
jailed mafiosi.
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