Major raid in Italian problem city Caivano At least two dead after a suspected Israeli attack in Syria

A major raid took place on Thursday morning in the Italian town of Caivano near Naples, known for its mafia activities and youth crime.

According to a police statement, around 400 emergency services from various law enforcement agencies were involved in the operation early in the morning.

The operation included searches and checks for suspicious persons and vehicles. The focus was on the search for weapons and drugs. A similar raid took place in the city in early September.

Caivano, not far from the southern Italian port city of Naples in Campania, rose to fame at the end of August. There, two girls aged eleven and thirteen were raped by youth gangs. Italy’s far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni later visited the community under strict security measures and spoke of an “inhuman act” that shocked the whole of Italy.

The community of about 35,000 residents is considered a stronghold of organized crime. Recent incidents have occurred again. On Monday evening, young people fired machine guns and pistols at the ground and at parked cars. The chairman of the parliamentary anti-mafia committee, Chiara Colosimo, described the incidents as “mafia arrogance”.

Meloni’s government recently issued the “Caivano Decree”, which provides for a tougher approach to young offenders. For example, young people aged 14 and over must be taken into custody if they risk a maximum sentence of six years.

The focus of the raid was on the area around the infamous Parco Verde district, where the underage girls were also raped. Drug sniffer dogs and a helicopter were deployed. Meanwhile, the mood in the city is rising. After Meloni’s visit at the invitation of local priest Maurizio Patricello, his police protection recently had to be tightened. (rbu/sda/dpa)