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.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA