Naples. “We always win here. We’ll send Bin Laden to plant the bombs for you.”
An escalation of violence and intimidation is shaking up the Forcella neighborhood in Naples. At the center of the story are two rival garages.
Since a new garage, linked to the Mazzarella clan, opened its doors in 2022, the owner of an existing garage has been subjected to constant threats and intimidation. According to what was reported to the deputy Francesco Emilio Borrelli, the employees of the new garage allegedly illegally occupied part of the road, diverting customers towards their business and obstructing that of their competitor.
The threats, however, did not stop there. The owner of the old garage allegedly received explicit intimidation from the manager of the new garage, who allegedly boasted of protection within the police force and the judiciary.
This escalation of violence confirms once again how the Neapolitan Camorra, through its business ramifications, continues to infiltrate the legal economic fabric, using mafia methods to eliminate competition and ensure a monopoly on certain sectors. In this case, the shadow of the Mazzarella clan looms over a neighborhood already marked by years of conflict between the clans.
Borrelli himself, after having collected the victim's testimony and documented the trafficking around the clan's garage, was subjected to threats and attempted assaults; a woman, who is believed to be the owner's wife, attempted to punch him in the face. Three State Police patrols had to intervene and identified the attackers, who were always believed to be linked to the clan.
Threats to MP Borrelli and the arrival of the police
“I will never take a step back, not even in the face of threats and aggression,” the MP declared. “Their aim is to intimidate and scare, but I’ve gotten used to it by now, mine is to eradicate the Camorra from my land.
I am more and more determined on this front.
Citizens, traders and entrepreneurs must however enjoy greater protection from the State which must guarantee the safety of those who report and clean up the streets and economic activities which would require more thorough cross-checks thus avoiding that criminal groups can control the market by leveraging the law of fear and intimidation through predatory activities.
Defeating the clans is not as simple but not as impossible as it is sometimes believed. What makes the difference are motivations and determination.
Shady criminal interests are moving around private garages.”
Article published on 9 October 2024 - 14:01
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It is really sad to see how crime can infiltrate so easily into daily life in Naples. I hope the authorities can do something about it.