On Tuesday, around 130 individuals were apprehended in a significant crackdown on the Sicilian mafia in Palermo, shedding light on the enduring influence of this criminal organization despite challenges faced in recent years.
The notorious mafia syndicate known as 'Cosa Nostra,' which operated in and around Palermo, had once instilled fear across Italy during the 1980s and 1990s. However, it has since been surpassed by the Calabrian 'Ndrangheta as Europe's most powerful criminal network.
The arrests were made on charges ranging from drug trafficking, attempted murder, extortion, illegal online gambling, to illegal possession of firearms, as confirmed by the Carabinieri police in a statement.
Furthermore, arrest warrants were issued for an additional 33 suspects who were already incarcerated for other criminal activities.
Investigations unveiled that the mafia families in Palermo are collaborating extensively within the city and its province, reminiscent of the past dominance of Cosa Nostra, particularly in drug trafficking operations, according to law enforcement officials.
It was noted that the inner-city mafia families have regained influence, surpassing the era when a faction from Corleone, the birthplace of infamous bosses Toto Riina and Bernardo Provenzano, held sway.
Modern-day mafia leaders are utilizing advanced technology to manage their operations, including encrypted mobile phones smuggled into prisons to enable incarcerated bosses to maintain control, investigators revealed.
Despite facing setbacks due to law enforcement actions, Cosa Nostra continues to attract young individuals, with the Carabinieri documenting instances of new recruits receiving 'mafia lessons' from senior associates.
One such mentor provided specific guidance to a young recruit on conducting extortion and interacting with mafia leaders, as detailed in the police statement.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni commended the arrests as a significant blow to Cosa Nostra, emphasizing that the fight against the mafia remains ongoing and resolute.
