Naples - A raid in the heart of Ponticelli, a neighborhood that is a stronghold of the De Martino Camorra clan. A three-story public building, used for commercial purposes but illegally occupied, was cleared by Carabinieri and municipal police as part of an operation coordinated by the District Anti-Mafia Directorate (DDA) of Naples.
The building, considered the clan's "headquarters," was protected by illegal gates and video surveillance systems installed by members to monitor access and activities.
The investigations, supported by the statements of collaborators of justice such as John Braccia, have revealed a structured system of illegal management of social housing.
About twenty commercial premises, transformed into homes, have been seized with a decree signed by the investigating judge Marco Giordano. The investigation, which involves 30 suspects, including the couple Francesco De Martino and Carmela Ricci, considered to be the leaders of the clan, are charged with the crime of illegal occupation of public buildings with the aggravating circumstance of mafia facilitation, as well as Camorra-style criminal association.
The business of public housing
According to what has emerged, the De Martino clan ran a veritable real estate racket. Vacant public housing was "sold" at variable prices, set based on the buyers' financial means. For a squatted apartment, the price could reach €30, of which €5 went to the clan as a "tax." Even those who obtained housing illegally were forced to pay €5 to the De Martinos.
The proceeds flowed into the organization's coffers, managed directly by the boss Francesco De Martino, for the "Ponticelli di sotto" areas (Rione Incis, Rione Fiat and Via Argine).
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The statements of the repentant Giovanni Braccia
Revelations from Giovanni Braccia, a former member of the clan, confirmed the modus operandi during an interrogation on October 16, 2024. Breccia, who ran drug dealing centers and the illicit assignment of public housing, described how Francesco De Martino ordered the "sale" of vacant apartments, setting the price, and collected a fixed fee for each transaction.
The clearing operation
The intervention, which involved the use of 200 agents, was supported by social services personnel and the Municipality of Naples. The evicted homes were emptied and walled up to prevent new occupations. Temporary housing and health solutions were arranged for some families.
The operation, coordinated by the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Prefecture of Naples, represents a severe blow to the territorial control of the De Martino clan and their system of illegal profit in the public housing market.
A system of territorial control
The evacuated building, modified with building abuses to guarantee security to the clan, was the symbol of the De Martino's power in Ponticelli. Investigations continue to further dismantle the criminal networks that exploit public housing, a phenomenon that compromises the right to housing and fuels the power of the Camorra in the eastern suburbs of Naples.
Comments (1)
The article talks about a major operation against the De Martino clan, but there seems to be a lack of details on how the evicted families will be handled. It is a sensitive topic and their needs should also be considered.