A basement in the Mercato neighborhood in Naples had been transformed into a sort of Camorra bank counter where the Mazzarella clan sold counterfeit 100 euro notes. The shop operated like a shop, with opening and closing hours to the public: on weekdays from 09,00:17,00 to 09,00:13,00, while on Sundays from 100,00:50,00 to 20,00:XNUMX. It was possible to buy XNUMX euro notes of various types, XNUMX euro notes and XNUMX euro notes.
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The Carabinieri of the Anti-Counterfeiting Command, supported by territorial units and Europol, have carried out a maxi-blitz dismantling the organization dedicated to the counterfeiting and sale of counterfeit 100 euro banknotes in Italy and abroad.
It also happened in a religious congregation, a sort of recreational club where cards were played, the sale of counterfeit euro banknotes of fine workmanship as also attested by the ECB: the circumstance was made known during a press conference called by the Public Prosecutor's Office to illustrate the details of the vast operation of the Carabinieri.
According to investigators, production was itinerant while sales took place at certain times, in the Mercato Pendino district of the city, as well as in the recreational club, in a grocery store, in a bar and even on the street.
The operation, coordinated by the District Anti-Mafia Directorate of Napoli, led to the issuing of precautionary measures against 63 people seriously suspected, to varying degrees, of criminal association aimed at the forgery and sale of counterfeit banknotes, in concert with those who produced them, aggravated by having facilitated the activity of the Camorra clan "Mazzarella", hegemonic in the Neapolitan urban area of Mercato Pendino; of complicity in the sale of the aforementioned counterfeit currency and, in two episodes, of attempted extortion.
Three French citizens who were exporting counterfeit banknotes abroad were also arrested
The investigation also revealed that the counterfeit currency was being exported abroad. Three French citizens were arrested immediately after purchasing the counterfeit money, and it was documented that the currency had also been sold in Spain and Greece.
A 6 million euro business
It is estimated that the illicit business generated approximately 6 million euros in the period under investigation. The investigations revealed the involvement of the Camorra clan “Mazzarella” in the counterfeiting and dealing of counterfeit money. The area in which the resale operated is in fact subject to the criminal hegemony of the clan, to which sums of money from the illicit profits were constantly paid.
63 people arrested
During the operation, 63 people were arrested, 48 of whom were in prison, 14 under house arrest and 1 with a ban on residing in the municipality of Naples. Another suspect was arrested in France thanks to a European arrest warrant.
A hard blow to organized crime
Today's operation represents a severe blow to organized crime that profits from counterfeiting and the trade of counterfeit money. The use of significant investigative and operational resources demonstrates the Carabinieri's commitment to combating this type of crime that damages the economy and the safety of citizens.
Article published on 8 April 2024 - 11:50
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