The operation – coordinated by the Catanzaro District Attorney's Office and conducted by the 300st Division of the Central Operations Service and the Mobile Squads of Vibo Valentia and Catanzaro – currently involves around XNUMX men, with the direct use of personnel from the Central Operations Service of the Central Anti-Crime Directorate, the Investigative Sections (Sisco) of Catanzaro, Rome, Naples, Salerno, Potenza, Bari, Catania, Messina, Lecce and Bologna and the Mobile Squads of Reggio Calabria, Cosenza, Crotone, Parma, Avellino, Benevento, Cuneo and Latina, as well as crews from the Crime Prevention Unit, canine units (anti-explosive, anti-drug and pg-op), specialized units of the Scientific Police and the Reggio Calabria Flight Unit.
In the same context, the preventive seizure of movable and immovable assets worth over 250 million euros was carried out. The investigation found the full operation of the 'Ndrangheta branches that are dominant on the "Costa degli Dei" and federated to the "Mancuso" mafia organization, outlining the strategies that, to this day, still keep the criminal system in balance, capable of managing connections and "entries" at various levels. The investigations made it possible to focus, in particular, on the operation of the 'ndrina LA ROSA, active mainly in the hinterland of Tropea, documenting the pervasive control of the territory and the consolidated extortion practice started by the group to the detriment of accommodation facilities and public and private construction sites.
In this regard, the activities have crystallized the communication and economic chain that has allowed the association to consolidate its position within the criminal organization of the "Province", documenting the delivery of "pizzini" and cash destined for the "Crimine", the summit of the 'ndrangheta organization of Vibo Valentia.
The investigation documented the full synergy of the members of the Tropea “family” with the 'mbrogghia articulation of the Mancusos and with the top exponents of the 'ndrina Accorinti of Zungri, also bringing to light the careful investment policy that characterized the approach of the local mafia groups in the phase of taking over the management of a well-known tourist village in Pizzo Calabro (VV) by a foreign tour operator.
At this stage, the investigations highlighted the infiltration of business assets through the preparation of a contractual clause specifically designed to conceal the payment of bribes, or with the progressive takeover of the supply of goods and services.
The investigations have also revealed the role of a series of intermediaries responsible for ensuring the accreditation of foreign investment at the top levels of organised crime, encouraging the implementation of the project thanks to a series of connections with individuals close to the management of the Calabria Region's Department of Tourism, with the aim of facilitating the awarding of public funds.
Finally, the existence of a complex criminal organization dedicated to the international trafficking of vehicles stolen in Italy and destined for foreign countries (particularly Malta and Romania) has been documented, highlighting the ability of the leaders of the mafia association to enforce the return of vehicles stolen to the detriment of "protected" entrepreneurs, thus consolidating forms of contiguity and consensus among the victims of the thefts.
Article published on 26 January 2023 - 14:40
