The testimony of the well-known influencer Ernesto Colella to the investigators, the blitz with six arrests for extortion linked to the sale of fireworks
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An extortion ring linked to the sale of New Year's Eve fireworks was dismantled by the Bagnoli carabinieri with a dawn raid in the Fuorigrotta neighborhood.
Six people ended up in handcuffs, including Alfredo Graziano, 41 years old, considered the regent of the Troncone clan, now weakened by the arrests of the bosses Vitale and Giuseppe Troncone.
Graziano, married to a woman from the Camorra family, is said to have taken control of the group's illicit activities, including the racket on the firecracker stalls in Via Leopardi. The victims have indicated it among those who, riding a scooter, they went to collect the “pizzo” from the street vendors.
The racket and the beating that started the investigation
The investigations, coordinated by the Naples Public Prosecutor's Office, began after the beating of Christian De Luca, which took place on 31 last December. The man, linked to the rival group of the Scodellaro, was allegedly attacked by young people affiliated with the Troncone gang for the control of the fireworks stall racket.
After the attack, De Luca allegedly reacted by destroying some stalls and imposing that no one pay money to the clan. Subsequently, he violently attacked Joseph Mark Scala, the person in charge of collecting money on behalf of the gang.
Thanks to the testimonies, the investigators have reconstructed the modus operandi of the clan: the the requested amount of lace ranged between 100 and 150 euros, sometimes accompanied by a supply of fireworks for children. In addition to the intimidating raids, the emissaries of the stub they would have bombarded the victims with phone calls and messages on Instagram, applying constant pressure.
The revelations of the influencer Ernesto Colella
Among the key testimonies of the investigation is that of the trader and influencer Ernesto Colella, who told the police how there was open talk of the need to pay a contribution to the clan:
«There were rumors that a “gift” had to be given to people who would later come to collect it. A small sum of money, between 150 and 200 euros. It was talked about among those of us who had stalls».
Colella reported that the payment was made while he was engaged in a live on TikTok. One of his collaborators reportedly signalled to him that he had to deliver 150 € without specifying to whom.
The pressure from the clan was such that, despite not having earned anything from the sale of the firecrackers, a merchant still gave in. 100 euros to criminals in the first days of the year. "I was afraid of the repercussions", he confessed to investigators.
The Gip's provision and the Carabinieri's operation
The evidence collected led the investigating judge Federica De Bellis to issue precautionary prison measures for six people. The dawn raid allowed the suspects to be arrested and the reconstruction the extortion network which was decimating the traders of the Fuorigrotta district.
Article published on March 29, 2025 - 11pm
Video Chronicles
The article talks about a very serious issue regarding extortion in Fuorigrotta. It is worrying to know that there are still groups that impose protection money on sellers, especially for fireworks. Colella's testimonies are disturbing and make us reflect on the situation of legality in our society. I hope that these investigations will lead to change.