Nearly 50 Suspected ‘Ndrangheta Mafiosi Arrested in Italy “Last Step”: Prigozhin Hints at Disbanding His Wagner Mercenaries

49 suspected mafiosi have been arrested in a crackdown on organized crime in Italy. They are suspected of links to the Calabrian mafia ‘Ndrangheta, the Carabinieri said on Thursday.

The people are accused of drug trafficking, illegal possession of weapons, extortion and threats. Assets with a total value of approximately one million euros have been seized. Most of the detainees were in prison, the rest were placed under house arrest.

The use of the carabinieri was directed against the two notorious mafia clans Piromalli and Molé, which operate in the southern Italian port city of Gioia Tauro, it was said. Overheard telephone conversations gave the researchers a deep insight into the structures and inner workings of the two groups. It follows that the two clans would have decided again after a long time on a strategic partnership in the region. The current implementation should prevent this connection.

The Italian authorities are repeatedly cracking down on the various organized crime clans in the southern Mediterranean or in Sicily. The mafiosi earn their money from illegal activities such as drug trafficking or construction. (saw/sda/dpa)